White Nights Festival facts for kids
The White Nights Festival is a big summer celebration held every year in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's special because of something called "midnight twilight." This means that from about April 22 to August 21, the sky never gets completely dark at night. It stays bright like twilight because St. Petersburg is close to the Arctic Circle.
The festival features many different kinds of performances. You can enjoy concerts with musicians and artists from all over the world. In 2020, the festival happened online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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What Happens at the White Nights Festival?
Classical Music, Ballet, and Opera
The "Stars of the White Nights" is a major part of the festival. It includes amazing classical ballet, opera, and orchestra shows. These performances take place at the famous Mariinsky Theatre and Mariinsky Concert Hall. Valery Gergiev is the artistic director, guiding the shows.
This "Stars of the White Nights" festival began in 1993. It was started by Anatoly Sobchak, who was the first mayor of St. Petersburg. Many famous classical performers have appeared here. Some of them include Plácido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, and Gidon Kremer.
Pop Music Concerts
The festival also hosts concerts with popular music artists. These performers come from places like Eastern Europe and Asia. There is also a competition for young singers from different countries. Many well-known artists have performed as the main acts, or "headliners," at the pop music festival. These include Chris Norman, Bonnie Tyler, Deep Purple, Scorpions, Anastacia, and Seal. In 2019, there was a special show celebrating the 50-year career of Alla Pugacheva.
The Scarlet Sails Celebration
One of the most popular events during the White Nights is the Scarlet Sails celebration. In Russian, it's called "Alye Parusa." This event is famous for its amazing fireworks and a huge show. It celebrates the end of the school year for students.
The idea for Scarlet Sails comes from a popular book and a 1961 movie. The movie was also called "Alye Parusa" (which means "Scarlet Sails"). It starred Anastasiya Vertinskaya and Vasily Lanovoy.
White Nights Carnivals
During the White Nights Festival, several fun carnivals take place. People dress up and enjoy parades and celebrations in the streets.
Star Performances at Palace Square
Every summer, the historic Palace Square in St. Petersburg turns into a big stage. International pop music stars perform concerts here for large crowds.
The White Nights Marathon
The festival has also included a special running event. From 1990 to 2019, and starting again in 2024, the White Nights International Marathon took place. It also included a 10K run. More than 5,000 runners participate each year, running through the streets of St. Petersburg.
White Nights Festival in the Media
Several film festivals are held around the same time as the White Nights Festival. These festivals showcase movies and films.
See also
- Russian pop music
- Midsummer
