Not only Europe was famous for its carnivals, which have now become the main tourist feature of many cities in the Old World. The Russian Empire did not want to lag behind, and Peter's and Catherine's carnivals thundered in St. Petersburg and gathered many guests from the surrounding provinces. On the territory of modern Russia, old traditions are successfully reviving and carnivals in Samara, for example, are widely known and popular far beyond the borders of the region.
In honor of Mother Volga
The peculiarity of the Samara carnival is its theme. The holiday is held in August and is dedicated to the great Russian river Volga. Carnival events capture the entire city, but the main procession takes place along Volzhsky Prospekt, which stretches across the entire historical part of Samara.
Hero of military campaigns
During the carnival in Samara, power in the city passes to the mayor, whose prototype is Grigory Nikanorovich Strukov. The brave colonel took part in many battles, including the Caucasus and Central Asian campaigns. Among his civic achievements is the construction of a new and safe saline route for the delivery of Iletsk salt to Samara. At the highest order, the retired colonel was in charge of the Iletsk salt field.
A brass band plays in the city garden
A real colonel in the 20s of the XIX century laid out a garden, which now hosts festive events during the carnival in Samara. Strukovsky Garden is located on the Volga bank near the Samara Drama Theater:
- The garden was restored and reopened after Strukov's death in 1849. On this occasion, a celebration took place with illumination.
- A few years later, the city authorities bought two neighboring plots and significantly expanded the area of the Strukovsky Garden.
- In Soviet times, a park of culture and recreation with a concert stage, attractions, fountains and cafes was located on its territory. There was a children's pool in the park.
- Today, the garden has returned to its historical name and its territory serves as a venue for carnival events.
Carnivals in Samara are an international event. In 2007, the city became a full member of the Association of European Carnival Cities - FECC. Now Samara has every chance to preserve old traditions and become a real tourist carnival center of international scale.
