Putin Commemorates Day of the "Scarlet Sails" - Honors Russia’s Latest Batch of Graduates
The Russian President has congratulated this year's high school graduates. Putin's speech has been published in VK social media.
President Putin: "We all believe in you. We respect your outlook on life, your interests, even though they're different from ours. We respect your life choices. You're the kind of people — brave, free, determined, independent, and responsible — that are capable of transforming the country, to make a real breakthrough, to amaze the world with new records and discoveries. Don't limit yourself to just "likes" in social media. Take actions! Educate yourself and be bold!"
The show for graduates, the Scarlet Sails, was revived by the Bank of Russia. By the way, this is the first Russian bank to be restricted by sanction. Despite the sanctions, the Bank even enlarged its support for the Scarlet Sails to the extent that the event is considered the brightest holiday in Europe. The Scarlet Sails show is 50 years old. This is an amazing show, parting words for the adult life.
Salima Zarif will report on the event.
Preparations on the tall ship began 3 hours before the departure. It was the exact moment when the game between Germany — Sweden began. But the Swedish brig "Tre Kronor" doesn't have time to watch the game.
Allan Palmer, "Tre Kronor" captain: "It's interesting to compare all this with soccer. Because I'm like a soccer coach — the team must be ready. We do everything together, and everyone shall do his best to score a goal".
The changing of the sailing rig is over. In the meantime, graduate Polina is taking a specially prepared dress out of the wardrobe. She tried to match it with the sails.
Polina Shebahaevich, the graduate: "My sister read the story by Grin when I was a child. It left some heartwarming feelings. I've read it again recently. So, I feel joyful, and I'm expecting wonders. I feel like I'm Assol".
On the brig, the sailors are soaring up the masts and untying the sails. Like in Grin's tale, it took them long to find the scarlet fabric. It's custom-made. The sailcloth is thinner than usual.
Sergey Timoshkov, the Scarlet Sails coordinator: "We follow Grin's text — the brig is foreign, the sails: Grin's ones were made of silk, ours are made of special light fabric, which isn't used for sails".
The final make-up touch. Polina's grandma is doing her hair, just like all through her school years. The grandma has a vivid recollection of her own graduation.
"There were no Scarlet Sails, but we still went to the Neva, walking there, at Palace Square and the embankments. This is a tradition that always existed in St. Petersburg".
The crew is laying the ropes, carefully arranging them, every of which is important — it may lead to any corner of the sail. Everything should be done quick and clean. They don't use any gloves on the tall ship.
Tove Donning, crewmember: "I've got callosities. When you pull a rope it feels like you've groped a hot cup of coffee".
For the 9th time, the Swedish tall ship "Tre Kronor" is going to sail to the Peter and Paul Fortress under scarlet sails. There's an international crew of 15 members on board. They're going to carry out a challenging task. The young sailors are to manage the tall ship through the narrow Neva with its changeable windrose. They're from Denmark, Russia, Sweden. They were graduates not long ago. Many of them have never been to St. Petersburg. Not everyone has read Grin's tale, but everyone knows why the sails are scarlet.
Signe Wyff, crewmember: "Alexander Grin, right? This is a story about a poor girl, who wanted to be saved, and a prince, who sailed to her. I think it's a beautiful story. It's very romantic. I like the idea of hope and belief for the future generations".
There's the command "All hands!". By the way, every command is repeated loudly by the crewmembers for it to be heard both at the bow and stern.
There's a concert at Palace Square. 80,000 graduates are saying goodbye to school to Basta's rap and Alsou's songs. They’re coming into new, adult life, where they will be the ones they're dreaming of today.
— A television anchorwoman.
— An accountant.
— A designer.
— A theater expert.
— I have the Scarlet Sails today and the prom tomorrow. At this, my school is over. I realize I'm an adult now but I don't agree I'm all grown up.
— We congratulate all 2018 graduates. We wish you happiness!
— Success! In their future life, all the best to you.
— To enter the university.
— To enter whatever university you want, and make the most of your life.
— Hurray!
This is the culmination of the holiday. To the music by Glière and Dunayevsky, to flares of fireworks, the ship under scarlet sails appeared on the Neva. The viewers stood in admiration on the embankment. The captain sails the ship masterly following the music. This is a grand show, where the wind and holiday fires have their own part. As well as decorations, atlantes, columns, and palaces. All this is for graduates who are lucky to live in St. Petersburg. Or the ones who are lucky to be here this white night.
In 2018, young hearts are thrilled with joy as they used to be 50 years ago when in Leningrad the holiday of the Scarlet Sails was held for the first time. To act out a play based on the story on the Neva was an idea of Pioneer Hall. There were flares, fireworks, and a galiot, of course, where an orchestra was playing, giving a send-off to the adult life for a new generation. The holiday was revived in 2005 with the help of the Bank of Russia. After that, the tradition was never interrupted, despite predicaments, the crisis, and sanctions. The bank keeps supporting the holiday. Grin's fairy-tale prophecy comes true every year. A lot of people gather on the bank, amazed and gasping. The shining bulk of the scarlet sails is moving, plowing the waves.
Polina Shebahaevich, the graduate: "This is the way to a dream that'll come true. This salute is like a heart beating. It's exciting! And this is freedom of feelings.”
There's an entire night full of magic before the adult life. They can allow themselves to be carefree and just enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the moment.
Salima Zariph, Alexey Sosyrin, Dmitry Lukashevich, Galina Orlova, Polina Yauk. Vesti Nedeli, St. Petersburg.