Saint-Petersburg 2003. 300 years of great city

In August, 1998 the president of the Russian Federation has signed the Decree that anniversary of St.-Petersburg in May, 2003 will be marked as the All-Russia holiday. So grandiose scale of action was zamyslen for the sake of attraction vital to Northern capital of foreign investments. However to catch desired solid business contacts, cultural exchanges and infinite crowds of rich tourists it was required to show something in its best light - to guide a smart lustre on city which has fairly decayed for previous years of Peter.
Only for 2002 in Petersburg 5 buildings have fallen, 4 persons were lost, tens families remained without a roof over the head. Emergency houses in which people continue to live, are estimated in hundreds. According to official figures in an emergency condition in a city are more than 150 houses and over 3 000 apartments. How many actually the habitation in an emergency and preemergency condition is not known by anybody. Theoretically - all pre-revolutionary available housing.

In this connection on reconstruction to Petersburg from all regional budgets of the country (without considering the budget most "jubiljara") it has been allocated by 40 billion rbl. of All for celebrating of city anniversary from philanthropists it has been collected over 430 million rbl. Sponsors and patrons of art were classified depending on the size and a way of the brought payment (money, the goods and (or) by services).
So that to be called as the general sponsor of anniversary, it was required to bring $3 million (or the goods/services for the same sum), the general supplier of the goods and services or the official sponsor - $1 million, the honourable sponsor - $500 thousand, simply sponsor - $250 thousand etc., including the modest sums of $10 thousand. General philanthropists of a steel of 3 companies: "Rurgaz AG", FPG "the Baltic Building Company" and Open Society "Lenenergo". (The Most part of the contribution "Lenenergo" on a holiday (standard $3 million) intended on the project "Illumination of the historical centre of Petersburg"). In total in the register of Fund of assistance to preparation for 300-year-old anniversary "St.-Petersburg" have been brought more than 170 organisations and physical persons.
When preparation for a holiday, Petersburgers and visitors has begun promised a show which manages to be found not to each generation and about which can tell grandsons. Were assumed as well "gifts" - restoration of the historical centre, repair of roads, restoration of the line of the underground flooded in 1996, building of a ring road, a dam, etc., so to say, useful things in an economy.
In particular, the government program of anniversary preparation financed from federal and regional budgets, included 3 basic directions:
"Revival of the cultural centre of St.-Petersburg and its suburbs.
"" An old city and shabby habitation "- moving of those who lives in the hardest living conditions)
"Restoration and repair of infrastructural objects, first of all roads.

On scale of the planned actions of a press compared preparing celebrating of day of the basis of St.-Petersburg to summer Olympic games in Moscow in 1980 (However, then the spent means have not paid off). The magnificent celebrations calculated for 7 days, should show round a city such what it never was for 3 centuries of the history.
As its reduction in full anniversary readiness is under repair, though and it is selective, the historical centre (repair coincides with the movement plan on city VIР-кортежей, i.e. in one streets paint all houses successively, on others - any), streams of fire engines wash off from constructions long-term layers of a dirt, a crack on sidewalks shpakljujutsja soft asphalt, vagabonds are turned out for "101st km", foreigners-illegal immigrants are deported, in suburbs are destroyed self-made constructions hibarnogo type and the private garden plantations spoiling a kind from restored palaces. In particular, along road on the Konstantinovsky Palace (where the basic international actions are planned) have established the panel board fence hiding roadside dumps and a life of neighbouring villages.
Special preparation went to communications by expected flow of eminent persons - chapters 48 of the states, due to arrive 31.05.2003 to Northern capital for acceptance of participation in its celebrations after the international summit appointed to May, 29th in Moscow. Among them: the first persons of the USA, Germany, France, Great Britain, etc. the countries-participants (and with each head there arrived its retinue - only from the USA 700 persons were expected), and also presidents and prime ministers of other members of "G8", the European Union and other international structures. For reception of honoured guests VIP-salons by the walking steam-ships are equipped, the new VIP-hall at airport "Pulkovo", on water lower a special boat "First help".

On this background the main problem of anniversary Petersburg of a steel its inhabitants. They were insistently recommended to remain at home and to look a holiday on the TV, and it is even better - to go out of town, that rich foreigners could celebrate easy significant not for them event. With a view of maintenance of their safety of local "soft" militiamen one week prior to celebrations have replaced landsknehty similar departments from 25 regions Russian Federations. pitertsy, and also the others "simple Russian" tourists have appeared in position of poor relatives. To them actively did not advise to appear there where will take place the main events of anniversary, strashchali transport stoppers and crushes. Besides, it was promised to "evacuate" mercilessly private cars that they did not disturb to movement of visitors.
Smolninsky officials even have addressed in the federal government with the request to make the most sated days of anniversary days off that all interested persons could leave a city. One official without joking has joked: "Misters, I urgently recommend to collect in days of the summit things and to leave a city somewhere far away, on a summer residence, in village. Even if you will manage to visit any festival, you will stop often in the street and to demand to show documents. But our city will be seen by a planet". And the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia B.Gryzlov has addressed to representatives of the criminal world with such statement: "the Underworld should estimate correctly a situation and either surrender militias, or leave a city".
As the most part of visiting leaders have lodged on Neva (on specially equipped courts) it has entailed an automatic interdiction for visiting by townspeople of quays favourite by them and not only quays. That heads of the USA, China and India have wished to live in usual hotels, and all 3 city hotels of a suitable class are or on the Neva prospectus, or about it in a forbidden zone for usual Petersburgers there was also a main city street, and also its vicinities.
The security measures accepted by the authorities delivered many efforts not only to townspeople. Since April 2003 on all entrances to a city stoppers because of careful examination of motor transport going to St. Petersburg were formed. In days of an anniversary fever to reach Petersburg it has been permitted only by sideways, on multikilometer detours of the governmental lines. From 30.05 till unique in Petersburg the international airport "Pulkovo" was closed on "spetsobsluzhivanie" - liners with heads of the states of "G8" and official delegations were accepted and went only. (Regular and charter flights of the Russian and foreign airlines for this time have been cancelled). Because of restriction of flights airlines and tourist agencies have suffered losses.
To the private persons, wishing to visit on a holiday, it was necessary to reach Northern capital through Moscow by train. For maintenance of an uninterrupted railway communication the quantity of the trains plying between Moscow and Petersburg (with 10 000 to 18 000) almost has been twice increased. From increase in a transport stream and change of routes of cargo structures it was necessary to stop for a while repair work on the railway. Also the suburban message also has suffered. Some electric trains have cancelled, and as a whole delays in the schedule of their movement reached several hours.
The prepared program of anniversary celebrations, besides meetings of heads of the states and official buffet tables, celebratory processions, exhibitions in museums sated, concerts, parade of motorcycles, fireworks, etc. actions. But water became the main background of celebrations: on the bank of Neva the water holiday (on the river there has passed a flotilla led by an exact copy of a frigate of "Shtandart" accompanied by yachts and tens shestiveselnyh jalov) has taken place; in Peterhof for honoured guests have made a vodno-musical enchanting spectacle (and here too has not done without a city symbol - in gushing bowls ships from a silver foil floated).
Without hoping for capricious Petersburg weather, organizers have made secure - aircraft have charged to disperse clouds and to provide over jubiljarom solar beams. Nevertheless, in a holiday opening day (on May, 27th) towards evening on townspeople and vip-persons the rain has spilt. However, the next day clouds all the same have been dispelled (on it from treasury has left 26 million rbl.).

The advertised laser show of the Japanese master of performance of Hiro of Yamagata was possible from the second attempt (the trial "pancake" spent for mere mortals on May, 27th has appeared a clod). But the second time (when stately persons observed of display), as well as it was promised, all has turned out bright and remembered: over night Petersburg as if in a fantastic film huge green butterflies and other exotic figures flitted.
Prior to the beginning of official celebrations the restored halls of numerous Petersburg palaces - Marble (23.05.2003) have opened for visitors, the Engineering lock, the Stroganovsky palace, the main complex of Russian museum, etc. the Mihajlovsky garden before 27.05.2003 to open the doors, was decorated with delicate illumination and has replenished with fresh greens - on platform specially taken away in it have landed new trees (this action is spent within the limits of festival "Chereshnevyj wood"). In the evening on May, 18th, anticipating grandiose festivals, in a garden the concert of symphonic and jazz music has taken place - V.Spivakov, J.Bashmet, I.Butman and a jazz orchestra have acted. And 01-03.06.2003 in the same place passed "the Carnival in the Mihajlovsky garden", arranged for children-invalids.
A lot of pleasure delivered to townspeople parade of the retrotrams which have passed through all city. All kinds of cars have taken part in it, in different years plying in a city. Even such "antiquarian", as konka, the first Russian tram MS, pre-war "American", and also post-war "elephants" and "aquariums" of 1960th years.
Original review of other curiosities - automobile race of ancient cars accepted prince Michael Kentsky (arrived to St.-Petersburg with last of velmozhnyh persons). On May, 27th it started from Moscow at the head of automobile race. From 14 cars "Cadillac" of 1941 of release has not reached finish in a city-birthday man only.

In intervals between concerts, dinners and show visitors handed over to a city-jubiljaru numerous gifts. The monumental sculpture closely connected with national roots of the donator became the most popular gift. So, the former republics USSR have amicably recollected the national poets and writers: Moldova has presented Antioha Kantemira, Tatarstan - Gabdulu Tukaja, Ukraine - Tarasa of Shevchenko, Kazakhstan - Dzhambul, Belarus - Jakuba Kolasa. The Far abroad also gave the great sons: Italy has presented busts of Rossi, Rinaldi, Rastrelli and Kvarengi with which Petersburg besides is obliged by the for the present not failed architectural magnificence. ("The magnificent four" the Italian street) has lodged on a Manezhnaya Square near. Canadians have handed over a sculpture of poet Emilja Nelligana.
Denmark has responded for an anniversary restoration of a courtyard of the Hermitage (closed already since 1917). Native regions have not lagged behind also: vologodtsy have repaired a facade of Theatre of Lensoveta, krasnojartsy - the Siberian federal house in Kronstadt, Kareliya has arranged well Petrozavodsk street, Tatarstan has repaired a part of facades in the Kazan street, in the Tatar lane, square near to the Kazan cathedral. Sweden has presented 60 tons non-polluting norrbottenskogo ice. From it on a Peter and Paul Fortress beach the Ice house in which has taken place festival of an ice sculpture has been built. (Thanks to the massed advertising to admire fragile creations has come not less than 100 thousand Petersburgers, and the majority of them also have paid for tickets on 100-200 roubles).
The grove landed in park of the 300 anniversary of Petersburg, opened 24.05.2003 in Lahta became a gift of Finland whole jablonevaja. (Apple-trees stole up from the most cold-resistant and consequently not fructifying grades). Japan has presented to a garden at once one thousand saplings of an Oriental cherry, and the president of the Russian academy of arts Z.Tsereteli - 120 bronze garden lanterns. Of personal gifts the most intricate was made to Petersburg by the president of Indonesia Mr. Sukarnoputi - it has transferred in gift a sculpture of a legendary bird of Garuda representing a figure of mahogany about 4 m in height and more of semiton in weight. (The gift has accepted on storage the Hermitage).
Russian Orthodox Church has celebrated birthday of Northern capital religious procession - transferring of a part of hallows of St. apostle Andrey Pervozvannogo has been dated for an anniversary from the Greek city of Thessaloniki to St.-Petersburg. Religious procession has begun from walls of the Isaakievsky cathedral and has ended on Palace Square. Hallows of the apostle have visited several temples of a city, and also in Admiralty where the guard of honour of seamen of the Leningrad naval base has given military honours to an orthodox relic.
02.06.2003 plenipotentiary of the president of the Russian Federation in Northwest federal district (further - SZFO) V.Matvienko, summing up celebratings of 300-year-old anniversary of St.-Petersburg, has estimated its gone right and has conveyed to local organizers thanks of president Putin and heads of G8 countries. Under its statement of a celebration (at least, in their international part - from 30.05.2003 till for which Matvienko's Mrs. answered personally) have passed faultlessly.
According to GU the Ministries of Internal Affairs on SZFO in peak of celebratory actions with 27 for May, 28th have taken part in them about 1,5 million persons. The reserve of OMON and the given forces have been involved in safety and the law and order during celebrating more than 7 000 police officers. The facts of group infringement of a public order it is not fixed, only individual incidents (occurrence in public places in a state of intoxication, fights) took place. Also antiglobalists rather peacefully behaved. Only 10 their representatives protested against carrying out in Petersburg the international summit. In days of anniversary in Northern capital in 4 times the quantity of especially dangerous crimes has decreased, in 2 times the general criminality has fallen.
Meanwhile, during enthusiastic official reports it was found out that the holiday price has increased from originally declared 40 billion to 60 billion roubles. Thus the majority of "anniversary" plans and remains on a paper. In particular, frozen have appeared start-up of a ring highway (it had time to hand over only fragmentary), dam building (a complex of protective constructions of a city on Neva from the flooding having for it the major value), renewal of movement of trains on the first line of the underground (flooded in 1996) . There was no to the 300 anniversary a new scene of the Maryinsky Theater, a cultural-entertaining and business complex "New Holland". The planned complex of building, repair and restoration works on Kazan and Smolnomu to cathedrals, the Cardiological and Oncological centres, the Peter and Paul Fortress, Admiralty, Botanical institute and a garden, Shuvalov's private residence, the Chapel of Glinka has Not been executed, to Theatre of a musical comedy (theatre repair that federal soldiers local structures alternately supervised, and infringement of the base and bearing designs became result of this inept conducting), etc. As a whole almost half of objects for which restoration federal funds have been allocated, has not been handed over in time, and money that is called, have come to an end.
Almost 1 billion rbl. was istrachen on restoration and repair of infrastructural objects (roads and so forth). However except 6-7 prospectuses all other streets and highways continued to stay in the started condition since the part of means has left on other purposes. The program "the Old city and shabby habitation" which problem moving of the people living in emergency or preemergency habitation appeared, and also in the hardest municipal conditions remained on the same place, as about one anniversary. The tightening of the beginning of a damage control has led to that realisation of many objects has not been made in time.
Statements for regular plundering of anniversary means took place even in preparation for celebrations. So, in April, 2003 the first criminal case about plunder of "celebratory" money upon waste of 9 million budgetary roubles which were allocated for reconstruction and restoration of historical city centre has been raised. According to the Petersburg newspaper "your privy councillor" vice-governors appeared in business one operating and one were. Newspapers wrote about washing up of millions dollars through an offshore on islands Kajmanovyh. And sources in law enforcement bodies informed that practically on each anniversary object it is possible to get criminal case.
Check of an expenditure of the means allocated to Northern capital for anniversary, the Audit Chamber has spent. According to its Chairman S. Stepashin brazen violations and squandering of means of the federal budget have been found out. In particular, check has revealed no-purpose use more than 1 billion roubles. Responsibility for the facts of the admitted infringements, a no-purpose and irrational expenditure of means have distributed on the numerous ministries and departments, and also have assigned to local administration. A measure of their responsibility of a steel "the sharp criticism" and "rigid representations" from higher bodies and heads.