Considered date of Sevastopol foundation is 14/06/1783. On that day Russian Empress Catherine II ordered her favorite and governor of Novorossia (Novorossiya or New Russia – vast region north of the Black Sea included to Russian Empire as a result of the Russo-Turkish wars in the end of the XVIII c.) Grigory Potemkin to build new city in Crimea and to arrange naval base here. Traditionally the city Day in Sevastopol is held in the next to the foundation day weekend in June. On this day dramatized parade of military-historical clubs whose representatives come here from all over the world marshes by the central streets of the city. Free visits of the observation platform and the Siege of Sevastopol Panorama Museum are arrange. Battles of yesteryear and performances of national-cultural societies of Sevastopol are played not far from the Panorama.
Sevastopol is the main base of the Russian Black Sea Navy. That’s why the Russian Navy Day is celebrated in Sevastopol in a big way. In the morning parade of ships with a demonstration of military equipment power begins. You can see the famous Swifts aerobatic team, the legendary Soviet BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in action, the naval boarding of a pirate ship and much more including shooting of the biggest ships of the fleet. At the Nakhimov Square the ground-based military equipment is exhibited. You can not only photograph it but even to penetrate into it. Soldiers help children to climb on the armored personnel carriers, T-90 tank, K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal defence missile system and other military machines. Also you can free of charge visit the Museum of Black Sea Fleet and warships. In the evening you can watch celebratory fireworks. Valleys are fired from warships lined up in row at the Sevastopol Bay and illuminated from all sides by searchlights. The best places to watch the celebration are the Primorsky Boulevard (this is quite difficult to occupy good position there because of large number of spectators), the Monument to the Soldier and Sailor located on the hill and several points in the northern part of the city. Also you have chance to watch the event directly from water surface if you rent a motor boat. Date: the last Sunday of July.
The Festival of the Cossack Folklore is held at the last week-end of each summer month (June. July, August) at Starocherkasskaya Cossack village since 1986. Sing and dance ensembles from all districts of the Rostov Regions and also from other regions of Russia take part in this colorful folklore festival. Artists exchange of experience of their search and collecting work, held master classes. Products of local craftsmen are exhibited at the fair arrange at the festival grounds. At the traditional Song Glades the audience become direct participants of folklore performances (singing, dancing, Cossack games) together with professional artists. The main event of the festival – gala concert of all participants.
The Velvet Season is Russian term for most favorable period of recreation in zone of subtropical climate. Originally several spring weeks in April-May when the imperial court moving together with the Emperor family from St. Petersburg to the Crimea changed furs for the velvet (in the Crimea weather at that time is still cool) was meant. Later the term of Velvet Season became mainly used for September-October period. The Velvet Season is international fashion festival founded in 1997 by famous Russian fashion and theatrical costume designer Vyacheslav (Slava) Zaitsev. The festival is held in Sochi in October during a week at the Sochi Fashion House and the Sochi Winter Theater. Representatives of all trends of the fashion industry in Russia present their products in nominations of Hats, Fur and Leather, Creative Collection, Jewelry Collection, Debut.
«Vivat Russia!» is international dance sport tournament held on annual basis (since 2007) in Sochi in late June. The contest consists of two syllabi: Standard (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep) and Latin (Latina, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive). «Vivat Russia!» is a traditional tournament of the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) and an official rating tournament of the Dance Sport Federation of Russia. «Vivat Russia!» Tournament is considered a must for couples who wish to improve their dancing class. To improve their class a couple must gain at least two rating points at the tournament. «Glory to Russia» Tournament, Russian Federation championships and contests have the same status. «Vivat Russia!» International Open Dance Sport Tournament is considered the world’s second dancesport tournament by number of participants.
Kinotavr, also known as the Sochi Open Russian Film Festival, is the largest national film festival in Russia. It has been held annually in June in Sochi since 1991. Originally the festival consisted of two parts: the Open Russian Film Festival and the International Film Festival. In 2005 the festival switched its focus onto national market and international part was stopped. The films submitted for the festival are to be in Russian or in languages of nations of Russian Federation. The festival helps to uncover new names and talents and to develop Russian film industry.
New Wave is an international contest for young performers of popular music. The contest was founded in 2002 by the Russian composer Igor Krutoy and Latvian pianist and composer Raimonds Pauls. For the first 14 years New Wave was held in Jurmala, Latvia, but in 2015 the contest moved to Sochi. The contest usually lasts for six days and includes 3 contest days, 2 special event days and ending concert where the contest’s results are announced.
