Holiday: Sept. 1, school starts and other Saint Petersburg, Russia Local Custom Tips

Students at Sept.1 festivities

by sennaya , 1 more photos

One happy day to witness is teh start of school. Each September 1 all students get dressed nicely and get ready for the start of teh shcool year. Often parents come with the children for an assembly outside the school with lots of speeches and festivities. Many children bring flowers for their teacher.

It is a happy day and if you are in Russia on Sept. 1 you can go to a school and watch as the children find their schoolmates and teachers. It is a happy day :)

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Something Special: Hot tours!

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Written by sennaya

on Feb 17, 2007

The sign says "Hot Tours"

What is hot is a matter of perspective.
A sign that says Hot Tours taht is covered with ice might be warm for some :)

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City Parks: Winter: Go sliding on ice

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Written by sennaya

on Feb 11, 2007

Zooom! Frozen ponds are in many

parks

When the deep freeze of winter comes the parks have frozen ponds and children of all ages enjoy walking in the park, and sliding on the ice. Some sit on cardboard or a sled. But any pair of warm shoes will do!

This is Yusupovski Park on Sadovaya Street, one of many local parks.

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Something Special: Friendly police

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Updated by sennaya

on May 20, 2007

St. Petersburg can be romantic-

even the police

Generally everyone stays clear of police unless they have a problem, because it is possible for them to ask for money if they find anything amiss.
But they are just people too, paid way too little and respected even less at times. Here a couple in uniform steal a kiss as the tour boat goes under the bridge.

The spring air brings love to all.

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Something Special: Park as you can

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Written by sennaya

on May 18, 2007

Don't let snow stop you from

parking

There has been a big increase in cars in the past 5 years. Foreign cars are outselling Russian cars, there is rush hour traffic now and parking is getting tighter in the center.
You may see many creative parking techniques to fidn a place.
This 4-wheel-drive Niva found a place backing up onto a mound of ice and snow.

It may not be strictly legal and the local authorites seem in 2007 to start towing vehicles parked in pedestrian crossings and on sidewalks.

It is perceiveable a movement to curtail cars in the center of St. Petersburg could take root, but for now it is hard to tell Russian drivers what to do.

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Something Special: No Saxophone players at Peter & Paul

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Written by sennaya

on May 18, 2007

No Saxophone players allowed

Remember to leave your saxophone at home.
As you enter the Peter and Paul Fortress you can see a sign listing all forbidden activities.
Saxophone players be warned!

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Website: http://www.anabel.ru/petrop_eng.php

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Museums: May 18 - International Museum Day, Museum night

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Written by sennaya

on May 18, 2007

May 18, 2007 is National Museum Day where entrance to many state museums in Russia is free.

May 19, 2007 is Museum Night in St. Petersburg in honoro of the long days and coming of White Nights. Many activities take place at Peter and Paul Fortress between 7-11 pm.
The St. Isaac Collonade, where you can get a panoramic fiew of the central city, is open until 11 pm and costs 150 rubles. It is a long spiral staircase, then metal catwalk up to the columns, but a great view!

The date will change slightly each year, watch for it!

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Website: http://icom.museum/imd.html

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Traditions and Habits: Holiday: Maslenitsa- pancake week

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Written by sennaya

on Feb 22, 2007

Lady Maslenitsa is burned at the

Yusupov Palace.

Blini Festival week is the week before Lent, seven weeks before Easter.
In ancient times it was the festival to say goodbye to Winter and hello to the sun.
The round blini pancake represents the sun.
The last Sunday of the festival is forgiveness day where all is forgiven and redeemed.
And the Lady Maslenitsa effigy is burned to say goodbye to Winter.

In southern europe it is the time of carnival, in Catholic traditions it is Shrovetide.

Just be sure and eat lots of warm tasty blini!

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Website: http://www.maslenitsa.com/english/

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City Parks: Admiralty park with swing set

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Written by sennaya

on Feb 9, 2009