Parade of Sailing Ships and National Cultures in Brest

The population of the port city of Brest is little more than 140,000, but with the arrival of visitors this number grows fourfold and reaches up to one million or more during the festival. All the people strive first and foremost for the water area of the fort and are ready to walk kilometers along the coast from one national village to another. For example, it takes no less than 40 minutes to walk from the Russian village to the Mexican one. This year, Norway, Morocco, Indonesia and the U.S. have set up their “villages”. The ships of the countries participating in the festival as well as arts and handicraft exhibitions are concentrated in these national zones, while marine museums and higher educational establishments make their presentations. In addition, concerts are staged in these zones. In short, the visitors get an opportunity to get acquainted with cultural traditions of various ethnicities.

No sooner the Russian sailing ship Sedov, which is one of the favourites of the festival, docked, the participants of the Talku Fanfare Paris group - joyful young people wearing funny clothes - climbed onto its deck. They entertained the audience by singing. In an interview with the Voice of Russia two singers shared their story.

“We wanted to play on board the Sedov and to this end, we walked several kilometers through the port. This is a huge ship, and it was interesting to play on board the ship. We asked the captain for permission to perform and he agreed. This is an excellent ship. We hope to see it under sails in the sea,” the musicians said.

Meanwhile, amateur groups from Russia’s marine institutes in St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and other cities entertained the audience from the stage of the Russian village. In the past days, student artists from Kaliningrad lived together with cadets of the sailing ship Kruzenshtern and one of them, Roman Polozkov, shared his thoughts with the Voice of Russia.

“Many students sailed on board the ship. I am studying to be an electro-mechanic. I have been on the ship two times, and two months ago, I returned form a cruise. At present, I was asked to draw up a programme for the festival in Brest. I am planning to sail in the sea. I have already cruised four times. I am roused by the sea,” Roman Polozkov said.

“When I see Russian ships here, I feel pride,” says Roma’s friend Ivan Chasovskikh. “There are two Russian sailing ships here. On the one hand, it’s a pity that they have been docked separately. If they were among the ships of other countries their beauty would have out shadowed all the others. On the other hand, they are visible from any place. It’s a great pleasure to see that all are delighted by their beauty,” he added.

Karina Ivashko