Celebrations devoted to Petrozavodsk's 300th anniversary to start soon

North-West Alexey Ukkone/. On Friday Petrozavodsk /the republic of Karelia in Russia's north-west/ will host celebrations devoted to the city's 300th anniversary.

A total of over 100 festive arrangements will be held in all micro districts of the city, with the unfolding of the monument to Gavrila Derzhavin, the famous Russian poet and the first governor of Karelia, being one of the central events.

Besides, a historic exposition of the Onezhsky tractor plant museum, which will trace the foundation of the city near a cannon plant built by Peter I, will open in Petrozavodsk.

The streets will host festive marches, carnivals and sport competitions, while a theatrical performance on the local stadium will become the central event.

Numerous foreign delegations from Petrozavodsk's twin cities and high ranking Russian officials are expected to participate in the celebrations. For example, Chairman of the Russian parliament's upper chamber Sergey Mironov, Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov, Russian presidential plenipotentiary in the North-Western federal district Valentina Matviyenko as well as heads of some other Russian ministries and departments will arrive in Petrozavodsk.

The gala party at the Musical Theatre will be broadcast on vast screens set in the city's central square.

The celebrations are scheduled to last from June 27th to June 29th.