Saint Petersburg White Nights is a big cultural event in Russia. The time of year from late May to mid-July, when the nights are so short that the sky appears white, or light grey, and twilight lasts only 30 or 40 minutes. The city, with its many buildings painted in pastel shades of lavender, green, pink and yellow, has a particularly beautiful charm during the white nights. White Nights – a kind of symbol of St. Petersburg: at this time of year the city hosts a variety of festivals, concerts and performances. The period of white nights preceded by the celebration of the city’s foundation Day on 27 May.
The city is full of various cultural events to celebrate this summer twilight. The Mariinsky Theater presents a special program of ballets, operas, and symphonic concerts in the frame of “White Nights” – a worldwide famous festival held in the northern capital of Russia. In addition, there is a chamber music festival and an international jazz festival.
Saint Petersburg White Nights musical festival
White Nights musical festival was visited by worlds famous musicians, among them Joe Cocker, A-Hа, Boney M, Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Scorpions, Mika, Eros Ramazzotti, Natalie Imbruglia, Paula Abdul, Anastasia, as well as other celebrities – Kevin Costner, Thomas Anders, Woody Allen, The Doors, Akon,In-Grid, George Clinton, Village People.
Palace Bridge
Palace Bridge – the card of St. Petersburg. Since the days of Peter I there was a ban on the construction of bridges in the city. The aim of the architects was – to build a bridge that would not hide monuments. Palace Bridge was opened in 1916. However, it was put into operation without artistic decoration. By this time the temporary wooden fences were installed, which replaced the iron only in 1939. Lanterns, railing, decking were replaced only in our days in the 1970s.
Annually held the International contest-festivals of youth creativity “sounds and colors of the White Nights”, Art Festival “Stars of the White Nights”. State Philharmonic jazz music together with the Committee for Culture of St. Petersburg Government from 1994 held the Petersburg jazz festival “Swing of white night”.
In fact, White Nights last in St. Petersburg from late May to mid-July. The exact date is undefined. School graduates enjoy their now world famous festival “Scarlet Sails”.
Widely used in art and literature, the image of the “White Nights” is everywhere in St. Petersburg. For example, under the brand name “White Nights” in St. Petersburg produced a number of confectionery products. Also, Russian international badminton tournament “White Nights” takes place in St. Petersburg.
Where else to see white nights
In fact, white nights are found not only in St. Petersburg. An astronomical phenomenon can be observed in Petrozavodsk, Arkhangelsk, Cherepovets, Khanty-Mansiysk, Severodvinsk, Surgut, Yakutsk, Novy Urengoy. Festivals are held in Nizhnevartovsk and Perm during this period.
In Arkhangelsk, white nights last 2.5 months. In the Arctic, this is a “polar day”, which does not stop for six months and is replaced by the “polar night”.
But the history of St. Petersburg, its originality and romance rightfully make the city the capital of the White Nights.
