Ninth day of St. Petersburg jubilee decade will see water festival

The ninth day of St. Petersburg's jubilee decade will see a large-scale water festival in the Neva aquatorium. Among the audience there will be leaders of over 40 states who have arrived to participate in the jubilee celebrations and International summits.

The water festival will mark the continuation of St. Petersburg's centuries-old traditions, as all important holidays were celebrated in the Neva aquatorium since the times of Peter the Great. For example, it is here that the biggest victories of the Russian army and fleet such as the Gangut victory were celebrated.

Historical ties will be traced in both the jubilee ceremonials, which will become the basis of the official part, and in the festive decoration of the Neva aquatorium. The quays, bridges and buildings have been decorated with Russia's heraldic symbols - ribbons of orders of Andrei Pervozvanny, Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, St. George and St. Vladimir. These ribbons were also part of St. Petersburg's decoration during its 100th and 200th jubilee celebrations.

The water festival, which is scheduled to begin at 18.00, will consist of two parts. During the first, official part the Russian President is expected to deliver a speech of welcome to citizens and guests of St. Petersburg and hand the jubilee medal, which, according to the tradition, will be laid on the sarcophagus of Peter the Great in the St. Peter and Paul Fortress.

The official ceremony will be followed by a performance on the water involving sailing yachts, rowing yawls, water motorbikes representing St. Petersburg's tercentennial history. The performance will be accompanied by an illuminated musical fountain show to be followed by fireworks and a 300-salvo salute.

At 23.00 the theatrical performance will be resumed and supplemented by new elements, including an illuminated performance. At night the city will see a laser show of the famous Hiro Yamagato.