Voronezh City Day

Voronezh, a Russian town that is 100 years older than America, turned 342! Voronezh is located in the European portion of Russia, about 323 miles south of Moscow and very close to the Ukrainian Border. In 1585, the Russian Tsar Fyodor I Ivanovich ordered the construction of a wooden fort on the banks of the Voronezh River. The purpose was to help protect the southern border from the raids of nomads. The fort was completed in 1586 marking the founding date of Voronezh. Shortly after, Voronezh was burned down in 1590, but was fully rebuilt in the exact same place in 1594. In the winter of 1696, Voronezh became the home to the new Russian Navy. During the building of the Navy, Peter l spent most of his days in Voronezh. Voronezh then became the administrative center of Russia. The population of 10,000 grew to 50,000 during this time. Today Voronezh is home to over 1 million people. I am grateful to call this place my home for the next 3 months.

I was blessed with the opportunity to be apart of the Voronezh City Day. This event is held every 3rd Saturday in September. We started off the day by walking to the city center where the celebration was taking place. It was extra big this year because the local university was celebrating their 100th anniversary. The main roads were blocked off and people filled the streets. There were tents of shops lining the sidewalks. I played a ball throwing game-I think that's what I was doing anyway. I didn't make the ball into the basket but I still got free yogurt, which was delicious. I also had the opportunity to be a blacksmith for a minute and make a fish out of a piece of metal (it looks like a fish if you use your imagination). There were multiple concerts going on as well as Russian performers. Afterwards we went to a circus. My first circus ever! It was AMAZING. I have never been so entertained. The first time I've ever been able to sit for three hours straight without being bored. There were trapezists, hooping, aerial silks, dancers, a light show, clowns, monkeys, snakes, parrots, seals, and crocodiles. I LOVED IT. That night we watched the firework show, with some of the biggest fireworks I have ever seen. They filled the whole sky. I enjoyed celebrating the birthday of the great city of Voronezh.

Advice from a girl who loves where she lives:
Take time to enjoy the adventures of where you live-it's amazing what you will find in even the simplest of places. 


P.S. Check out this link for photos! Photo Gallery: Daily Life

-Laura Burke (soon to be Frazier)