Festivals

Every year about one hundred and fifty festivals take place in St. Petersburg, the majority of which are international. Each new season appears to bring about a new festival and many of them have already become annual traditions. For example, one of the largest musical festivals, “Petersburg Musical Spring», is already over thirty years old. The festivals enjoy a large popularity among St. Petersburg, Russian and international audiences.

Musical festivals are closely connected with the traditions of St. Petersburg’s culture. They present leading Russian and international musicians, singers and composers in programs, which offer both the world’s musical traditions and avant-garde productions. Among the most famous are the international music festivals “Stars of the White Nights”, “Arts Square”, “Musical Olympus”, “St. Petersburg Palaces”, “Neva Choral Assemblies”, “International Week of Conservatories”, “Festival of the Military Brass Bands”, “A White Night’s Swing”, “Peter and Paul Jazz Festival”, “From the Avantgarde to the Present”, “SKIF”. Various competitions, such as the Elena Obraztsova International Contest for Young Opera Singers and the Rimsky-Korsakov Contest for Wind and Percussion Instruments, support a constant flow of young talents into the musical sphere. The international theater festival “Baltic House” has become one of the most popular festivals in Russia and has gained favorable attention in Europe. Also well known are the festival of Russian theaters from CIS and Baltic countries, “Meetings in Russia”, and the international festival of solo performances, “Monocle”.

The international festival of performances for youth, “Rainbow”, has a promising future. The festival of new theaters, theater studios, and studio productions, «Christmas Parade”, brings new names to public’s attention. A number of charity festivals take place every year. One of these is “Saint Petersburg Theaters to Children” festival.

One of the largest Russian film festivals, “Viva Russian Cinema!”, has already become St. Petersburg’s tradition, along with other festivals such as the documentary, short and animated films festival, “Message to Man”, and “Festival of Festivals”, which present masterpieces of the world’s cinema. Children enjoy the International Children’s film festival, “Unfilm”, which takes place in March.