Smelt festival

The smelt fish is a popular commercial fish in St. Petersburg, found in the Neva River, Gulf of Finland, and Lake Ladoga. It has been well-known since the 14th and 15th centuries and is recognizable by its distinct "cucumber" odor. In recent years, smelt has become a tourist attraction and the city holds an annual smelt festival in the Peter and Paul Fortress. This year, the festival will take place on May 10 and 11, featuring various activities such as drumming shows, meetings with historical figures like Peter I and Catherine II, fishery demonstrations, and competitions for fish-related skills. There will also be a movie lecture showcasing pictures from the festival of marine and adventure films. The festival will include performances by children's and professional groups, as well as contests and quizzes. Additionally, there will be a Fair of marine professions and the opening ceremony of the tenth Marine Festival “MORFEST”.