The Herring Day is celebrated at many seaside countries because everybody knows and values this modest but very tasty fish. Dates of celebration might be different. For example, in the Netherlands the Herring Day is celebrated in honor of so-called New Herring in the beginning of June when new catch season is started but in Finland this Day is celebrated in October because in this period an incredible number of herring is concentrated in the coastal zone due to significant reduction of the sea temperature. Herring is very popular Russian snack but the Herring Day is celebrated in Russia since 2000s only. The celebration of the Herring Day in the Kaliningrad Region is held in the beginning of April on the anniversary of the first Soviet fishery expedition from Koenigsberg to the shores of Iceland (1948). On this day local restaurants and cafe offer a lot of fantastic dishes made of dried, smoked, fried and boiled fish. Mistress Herring walks through the main streets surrounded by his large entourage. Guests of the holiday can visit interesting exhibitions, take part in family competitions and fanny games.
Baltiysk is the main base of the Russian Baltic Navy. That’s why the Russian Navy Days is celebrated in Baltiysk in a big way usually it is combined with the Baltiysk City Day. Ships taking part in festive parade enter to the navigable canal in turn and shoot with blank cartridges. When all ships are at the canal parachutists land directly on the water surface. Parade is continued with fire ships and sailing vessels. After the end of the parade those who wish can board some ships. At the Square of the Baltic Glory located not fa from the famous Lighthouse grandiose exhibition of military engineering placed on the territory of the Kaliningrad Region is presented. You can see short-range ballistic missile system Iscander (SS-26 Stone), long rand surface-to-air missile system C-300 Favorite (SA-10 Grumble), multiple rocket launcher Grad M-21, modern infantry fighting vehicles, machine guns, missiles, torpedoes, sea bombs, deep space suits and other military exhibits. Almost all is allowed to touch and you can even climb up on the cabins of military cars. Many of the questions (except military secrets) will be answered by the experts on this type of equipment or weapons that are always present nearby. This celebration does not end there. The House officers will host Performances by military bands and music groups (Black Berets, the Ensemble of the Baltic Fleet) is held at the Officer’s Club. In the evening you can watch celebratory fireworks.
The first Baltic Debuts Film Festival was arranged in 2005 in the resort town of Svetlogorsk for the 750th anniversary of Konigsberg city foundation and the 60th anniversary of the Kaliningrad Region establishment. Every year young film-makers from Russia and counties of the Baltic Sea region present their new works and have a chance to discuss films with spectators just after seeing. “Film Festivals in Cannes, Venice, Moscow are the great events in the world of cinema but such small “home” festivals as the Baltic Debuts are very important too. People who arrives here just for recreation have a chance to see specially selected new films “with sense,” — believes well-known Polish actress Ewa Szykulska.
The City Day of ancient Konigsberg is celebrated on the second Saturday of July. On this day local citizens and numerous guests traditionally visit grandiose Flea Market at the Baltica Stadium where they have a chance to purchase hand-made souvenirs and unique antiquarian things “from the granny’s chest”. Not far from the stadium the Kaliningrad Street Food festival presenting simple, delicious and healthy food is held. The artist-caricaturist will be doing sketches of people buying food. You have a chance to become his muse. At the Pedestrian zone in the Mira Avenue you can see concerts of musical groups from Russia and neighbouring countries. The local Zoo offers everybody free of charge ice-cream.
Established in the USSR in 1965 (and still officially celebrated in Russia and Ukraine) the Fisherman’s Day was one of the numerous professional days celebrated in the USSR. The Kaliningrad Region is located at the Baltic Sea shore and fishing industry is one of the main branches of local economics. That’s why the Fisherman’s Day (celebrated on the second Sunday of July so it is the next day just after the City Day) is actual holiday in Kaliningrad. In Central City Park you can take part in festive events specially arranged for enthusiasts of fishing and fish cuisine.
