Historical reconstruction of the Battle of Borodino is held annualy at the Battle of Borodino Museum in the first week-end of September. Usually about 1,000 people in the uniform of the Russian and French armies accompanied by spectacular pyrotechnic effects take part in reconstruction of the Battle of Borodino episodes.
Every year in the village of Zakharovo where the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin spent his childhood on the first weekend of June The Russian National Children’s Holiday is held to mark Pushkin’s birthday (6 June). Children’s groups from all over Russia show their talents at the Small Glade of the Pushkin Open-air Museum delighting not only their own parents but also numerous guests of the holiday.
Every year in May the International Theater Festival is held in Melikhovo. The Grand Opening of the festival traditionally takes place on the main house veranda. The program of festival includes theater performances and films based on the works by Anton Chekhov or about Chekhov, meetings with directors and other special events. Participants of the Festival usually are not Russian theaters only but also foreign guests. The goals of the Melikhovo Spring during the whole its history remain unchanged: to show the variety of the great writer’s works stage interpretations in full – from classical to avant-garde, to present modern theatre in all its diversity through the palette of Chekhov’s themes and plots. The main tradition of the Melikhovo Spring: the festival program every year includes without fail The Seagull, world-famous play written by Anton Chekhov in Melikhovo.
On the City Day all central streets are crowded with people. Local singers and dancers present their festive performances. Interesting and funny shows are held. In the evening there are often fireworks. Such festivals attract many guests from the vicinities of these towns. Dates of some City Days: Tula – the second Saturday of September; Kaluga – the last Saturday of August; Ryazan – beginning August; Istra – 12 of June; Kolomna – the first Saturday of September; Sergiev Posad– usually dedicated to the Orthodox holiday of Holy Trinity; Serpukhov – the third Saturday of September; Klin – the last Saturday of August; Dmitrov – the second Saturday of September; Zaraysk – the second August of September; Zvenigorod — the second Saturday of September.
The Maslenitsa (the Pancake Festival) is celebrated in March in the last week before Lent. During this period special performances are held. Tourists have a chance to taste blini (Russian pancakes), to take part in traditional national winter games, to go sledding. By the end of the festivities a big doll made of hay is burnt. The doll symbolizes winter. The Maslenitsa festivities are held in many cities and towns around Moscow.
