Although the Wandering Camera has not finished with
winter yet ;), I go fast forward to show you some photographs made on 26
and 27 May, on City Day-St. Petersburg 299 years. Later I will probably
move this album into the Spring section.
City Day in St. Petersburg is
traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday in May, although the
founding anniversary officially is on the 27th.
As in earlier years, the holiday started
with a procession of military brass bands along Nevsky Prospekt. In
fact, this year there were few of them. I remember when I photographed
the parade last time, bands from
many countries participated, while this time, they came exclusively from
countries of the former Soviet Union.
Anyway, they played well.
On the photograph: The band of the higher military academies.
The men with name boards, who marched in
front of all the bands, were accompanied by beautiful girls (all in
stupid hats:).
I have to say that however beautiful they were, in
front of a military band they looked rather out of place. Thinking
logically, one could easily imagine the next stages in their attracting
extra spectators...
For some reason, I came to think of the film "Nastya".
The sunshine wasn't perfect for photos,
but it was comfortable for the musicians...
There were many spectators...
...Every 3-4 metres, there were military
students and police. Probably to keep the public (and especially
photographers and cameramen) from jumping out to fraternise with the
bands and hinder their march :)
The band of the Suvorov Academy.
An example of how one can distort reality
without any photomontage. What is this, if not a disruption of the
parade by special vehicles?
While at the second glance, it's very
simple.
It's still interesting, though, is there really that much dirt after
the military bands?
Nearby, there was a "ice cream feast". It
was sold at discount prices, and the public in general took advantage of
this.
And on the Neva between the Troitsky and
Dvortsovy Bridges, ten or so yachts had been let out.
Dvortsovaya Embankment, with Dvortsovy
Bridge and Kunstkamera in the distance.
The fires of the Rostral Columns were lit
even during the day (usually they are lit in the evening of big
holidays).
To this was added the arrival of Putin
and Bush in the city.
Because of this, they closed the city centre
practically for the whole day. During one hour by the Strelka, we
observed an endless stream of vehicles from the militsia, special
services, and foreign cars, all because of the above mentioned persons'
visit to the University.
By the Strelka, some sort of race was
going on, but either it was a short one, or we only arrived in time for
the finals.
At the Strelka there were also a concert
(towards the evening) and different carnival parades with fireworks. But
I will not describe them, as I wasn't there.
The weather was unusually beautiful.
The next day, the festival of opening the
fountains was to take place. Strictly speaking, the fountains were
already open (from 15 May, perhaps?), but a festival is a festival.
There was an ENORMOUS number of people. One had to stand in a long
line to acquire tickets (even with at least 4 ticket stands open).
However it was, we were late for the start.
Actually, it wasn't that significant, as
it anyhow was impossible to see anything over the heads of the crowd,
even with my height. In fact, this photo shows what was visible. Couples
danced to some music, and above them, there were balloons tied into
"worms".
As on the Nevsky, there were many
military students there. Not even every few metres, but everywhere. That
is understandable, all the lawns and flowers would have been trodden
down in a second without them.
Apart from the dancing, there was a small
fireworks display...
...with all sorts of smoke.
After the end of the display, people started to disperse across the
park. But we stop here, as we haven't even finished winter :-)
