Perm celebrates its 286th birthday with over 100 events and activities.
Jnne 12 is traditionally a double holiday for Perm. On this day, the Permyaks celebrate both the national day of the Russian Federation, and the Day of the City Perm. In 2009, Perm celebrates its 286th birthday (the city was founded in 1723).
The opening ceremony featured the giving of the Honorary Citizen Award. This year, the high award is conferred to the famous Perm architect Gennadiy Igoshin, the "creator" of the city esplanade.
The official opening ceremony of the Day of the City took place on the esplanade at noon on June, 12. In his speech of welcome, Mayor Igor Shubin said, "Every year thousands of people come out to the streets to celebrate this wonderful holiday. And today we wish our city wealth, growth, happiness, and success. We love you, Perm, and we see our future in you."
The opening was followed by a big parade made up of 32 floats, each representing a town in Perm Krai, or a Perm district (there are 7 districts in Perm). All the floats were decorated as boats; the Lenina street (along which the parade was progressing) symbolized the Kama river. The floats carried the officials and representatives of the Krai towns and Perm districts.
The parade was continued by festive events which took part all over the city. The Day of the City Program "Perm: Ancient and Modern" comprised over 100 entertainment programs, shows, sport events, music concerts (featuring famous Russian singers), a number of family events, and outdoor festivities.
This year, the Day of the City featured the opening of 3 new monuments. One of them is the first in Russia monument to the famous writer and poet Boris Pasternak. Another one is a 2,200-pound bronze Bear sculpture "The Legends of the Perm Bear". Bear has always been considered the symbol of Perm and is also represented on the emblem of the City. The officials hope the Bear will become a new landmark and will draw the attention of both Perm citizens and visitors.
The third monument - to Anatoliy Soldatov, a major production leader, Head of Perm Motor Works - was opened on June 11.
Among other major events of the day - "The Season of Arts" sand sculpture exhibit on the Kama river bank, "Svarog's Furnace" interregional blacksmiths' festival, STREETBASKET-2009 City Cup, etc.
