The icebreakers Kapitan Sorokin, Kapitan Kosolapov and Murmansk of FSUE “Rosmorport” took part in an annual event for residents of the Northern capital of Russia and guests of the city – the icebreaker festival, which took place from May 30 to June 2 in St. Petersburg and was timed this year to celebrate the City Day and the International Children Protection Day. Over four days, the event was attended by about 38 thousand guests.

On the first day of the festival, the icebreakers solemnly moored at Lieutenant Schmidt embankment to the sounds of a brass band and greeted the audience with a ship's signal. The opening ceremony took place on board the Krasin icebreaker and museum. Alexander Strelnikov, Director of the FSUE “Rosmorport” North-Western Basin Branch, gave a welcoming speech at the event. A press tour of the icebreakers was organized for media representatives. The crew members told reporters about the main characteristics of the vessels and the results of their work in the Gulf of Finland in the completed ice navigation season.

On May 31, the icebreakers opened for free visits, having taken on board about 20 thousand guests over three days. Children and adults could walk with an excursion along the decks of the vessels and learn interesting information about the design of the icebreakers, their functions to ensure year-round navigation in the Baltic and ship life during voyages.

For the first time, the icebreaker festival was held as a large family holiday. This year which was declared the Year of the Family, numerous exhibitions, creative activities and master classes for children and adults were organized on the embankment. Participants of the festival events could get information about the history of the icebreaking fleet and the development of the Arctic, learn about marine and polar professions, and see colorful musical performances.

The marquee of FSUE “Rosmorport” was popular among visitors. In the marquee, a photo exhibition dedicated to the Arctic was presented, videos about the enterprise's activities were broadcast, and a photo zone in a nautical style was organized. Every day the enterprise's employees held games, contests and quizzes for children – the winners received memorable prizes with the symbols of FSUE “Rosmorport”.

On June 1, as part of the festival, the traditional waltz of tugboats took place. It is an annual bright performance on the Neva River, during which vessels synchronously spin to music, releasing powerful jets of water. On the final day of the festival, visitors could watch a sailing regatta and a dance performed by yachts, and in the evening, to the sounds of a brass band, the main participants of the festival – the icebreakers – left the embankment for a well-deserved rest.

The festival with the participation of icebreakers of FSUE “Rosmorport”, the owner of the world's largest icebreaking fleet, has been held since 2014. The event is organized to develop domestic tourism, popularize cultural family recreation and acquaint the population with maritime professions.

We express our gratitude to the St. Petersburg Tourism Development Committee for organizing the festival at a high level, as well as to the cadets of Admiral Senyavin Maritime Technical Academy and Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping for their assistance in conducting excursions on the icebreakers.