Moscow news
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06-Sep-2009
Hip hip hooray for City Day
City Day is rolling around again. If there is one weekend of the year to get out and about around the capital, it's Moscow's birthday weekend, when the metropolis spruces itself up and puts on its best face. Of course, putting on a party worthy of Moscow takes some serious preparations, and the more familiar you are with what the city has in store, the more fun you'll have.
This year City Day falls on September 5 and 6, and there are some 560 events planned, with something happening in just about every nook and cranny in all corners of town. For those who understand Russian, the full agenda is available at: www.mos.ru/wps/portal/WebContent?checkPublic=false&documentId=124235
Those looking for some downtown action will not be disappointed, as nearly half the planned events will take place in the Central Administrative District.
"We intend to hold some 250 events in the district, although they will not be of equal status," RIA Novosti quoted Alexei Alexandrov, the district's prefect, as saying. Alexandrov said that Ploshchad Revolyutsii would be providing revellers with some fun surprises, as has become traditional. Previous years have seen the square host some record-breaking entertainments, such as the largest felt boot or largest rag doll in Russia. Alexandrov said that this year the square would be holding a market that would be selling souvenirs depicting a yet-unnamed view of the central district.
But it's not all fun and games, however. Educationally orientated attendees will be happy to hear that besides frivolous festivities, numerous museums would be operating free of charge on September 5-6. Among them are the Yeltsin Memorial Museum, the Pushkin Museum, the Museum of Moscow and Borodinskaya Panorama on Kutuzovsky Prospekt. Outdoor educational activities include the "I know and love Moscow" informational project in Kuzminki Park. School children and volunteers will be available to answer any questions about the history and ecology of the park as well as hand out booklets with information about bike routes, exhibitions and future events. Tickets to a FK Moskva football match will also be distributed for free. The volunteers will be recognisable by their maroon vests emblazoned with a large letter "Q".
Among the 3.5 million people expected to attend are more than 60 official delegations from across Russia and Belarus.
Delegations are expected from St. Petersburg, Altai, Bashkortostan, Mordovia, North Ossetia, Kaluga region, Lipetsk region, Kaliningrad region, Veliky Ustyug, Minsk and the Brest region, among others. A headquarters is to be set up to coordinate their visit, providing round-the-clock support with hotels, transport and excursions to concerts, theatres and museums.
A serious note is to be struck on the morning of September 5.
"On Moscow's birthday, tribute will be paid first and foremost to those who during the terrible years of World War II saved the Motherland's freedom and independence, defending it from fascism," said a statement from the Moscow city press service. Wreath- and flower-laying ceremonies are to take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Hero-Cities Monument in Alexander Gardens and by the statue dedicated to Marshal Zhukov. At the same time, flower-laying ceremonies are to take place at the Moscow - Hero City monument at Dorogomilovskaya Ploshchad.
See the centre spread for further City Day entertainment information.
The Moscow News