Celebrations programme on the occasion of St.Petersburg's anniversary

The celebration of St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary on Tuesday will begin with laying of flowers to the Bronze Horseman, the monument to the city's founder, Emperor Peter the Great.

Flowers and the medal made especially for the occasion will be laid to Peter's tomb in the Petropavlovsk fortress. The medal will take its place on the gravestone beside the medals dedicated to the city's 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th anniversaries.

St.Petersburg cathedrals of different confessions will hold services in honour of the anniversary. St. Isaac's Cathedral, where relics of St. Andrew the First Called will be brought, will hold a Divine Liturgy.

The State Hermitage /one of the world's largest museums of arts, culture and history/ has prepared a number of presents for the occasion. One of them is opening ceremony of the new Main entrance to the Hermitage from the Palace Square. Also, for the first time in the history of Russian museums, the Hermitage will be open on the night of 28th. The visitors will be able to see its collection and to listen to music performed by the museum's orchestra "St.Petersburg Camerata". The Hermitage Theatre will host the Grand Assembly of the World Petersburgers Club.

The State Russian Museum /the largest collection of Russian art along with the Tretyakov gallery/ will celebrate St.Petersburg's anniversary by opening the Inzhenerny Caste and Mikhailovsky Garden that will reproduce the celebrations atmosphere of the 19th century. The restored castle will host exhibitions titled "History of the Castle and Its Residents", "Ancient Themes in Russian Art", "Renaissance and Russian Artists".

A Steinway grand piano will be presented to St.Petersburg by Hamburg.

The Tuesday celebrations will end with a gala show in the Bolshaya Neva. The ship parade will be opened by the Mir sailing ship. It will be followed by 30 six-oar yawls carrying the flags of Russia, St.Petersburg and Russian Navy. The copy of Peter the Great's boat with the Emperor's colours on the mast will close the parade, carrying "Peter I", who will congratulate the spectators on the city's anniversary.

At the end of the celebration the visitors will see grand fireworks and Japanese Hiro Yamagata's laser show.