Scarlet Sails — the history of the magical graduates' celebration

Night in the city is never completely black. There are always lights. Lights of windows, lights of street lamps, lights of cars. During the white night of St. Petersburg, these lights are not bright. During the white night, St. Petersburg doesn't sleep. The city doesn't close its eyes. Street musicians play. People stroll along the avenues and embankments. They admire the raised bridges. In this series of white nights, there is one that is especially magical.

Imagine: thousands of graduates, holding their breath, look at the Neva River, where a ship appears in the rays of the sunset. It glides silently along the river. No, it flies. It flies above the water, flies above the Neva. On the ship's side, its name sparkles — "Secret," and the sails flutter. Scarlet Sails. Sails of dreams, joy, hope.

This is not a scene from a fairy tale — this is how the "Scarlet Sails" celebration begins, the only celebration in the world where saying goodbye to school turns into a grand show. A celebration with a history full of dramatic turns. Its roots go back to the 1960s. Back then, Leningrad decided for the first time to mark graduation not with a school party, but with a large-scale event on the water. But the path of the celebration turned out to be thorny: prohibitions, revival, and a new life in the 21st century made it not just a tradition, but a symbol of hope and the triumph of youth.

1967. USSR. An important event was approaching — the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. The Council for Mass Theatrical Performances and Spectacles demanded plans for these spectacles from cultural institutions. The Leningrad Palace of Pioneers proposed to hold a graduation for all schoolchildren of Leningrad. The idea was liked and recorded in the plans. But how it would be — no one thought about it yet. They were thinking about how to hold the "Aurora Festival" in autumn.

Director Sergey Veniaminovich Yakobson came up with the whole performance. On the Neva, from Vasilyevsky Island to Smolny, 22 ships of the Baltic Fleet lined up. The outlines of the ships, illuminated by lights, resembled a huge theatrical decoration. On the bastions and walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress, 250 gas torches flared up. 50 powerful fountain jets rose from the river. They were also illuminated with colorful spotlights. The torches of the Rostral Columns were lit. "Aurora" stood exactly where it was in October 1917.

At 21:35, a red lantern lit up over the Peter and Paul Fortress, like a conditional sign of uprising. A shot thundered from the bow gun of "Aurora." A long red beam flashed over the Neva. A flotilla of ships moved from the Liteyny Bridge, accompanied by boats with a built crew on board. The flag of a union republic fluttered over each ship. Colorful fiery arches lit up over the Neva. Six hundred cadets of artillery schools pressed the trigger of rocket launchers on signal. Golden lights shone on the floating ships. "Aurora" glowed scarlet.

An aerostat with V. I. Lenin rose high into the sky. With his portrait, of course. A pyrotechnic sun lit up, raised by a floating crane. Powerful spotlights cut the sky above the Neva. Flashes of fireworks illuminated the air and water with silver, turquoise, golden-scarlet, gray-pearl colors. 50 solemn volleys of salute sounded over the city. Music played: "The Internationale," "Waltz of the Flowers," "Let There Always Be Sunshine." All radio stations of the Soviet Union were tuned to the Leningrad wave. All Intervision cameras were directed at the Neva. The "Aurora Festival" extravaganza took place.

And now, already knowing how to create such beauty, they decided to organize something similar for the city's graduates.

They thought for a long time about the name. Everything revolved around Aurora. Nothing else came to mind. Who was inspired to call the graduation "Scarlet Sails" — is unknown. Probably, this someone had just, perhaps for the third time, watched the recently released film "Scarlet Sails" starring Anastasia Vertinskaya and Vasily Lanovoy. The film was extremely popular, and they seized on this name. Moreover, the thaw, which was coming to an end, whispered to move away from Aurora and come up with something new. Decided — Scarlet Sails.

The concept of the celebration was as follows. "Everyone should find their winged scarlet sails. For this, years of wandering are not needed, it is not necessary to go far. They are here, next to us. You need to love work and learn to work." The dream should not be detached from reality. Soviet Grey and Assol are labor heroes — a cosmonaut, a scientist, a welder, a milkmaid.

The celebration began with a "theatrical introduction on water." In the waters of the Neva between the Kirovsky (Trinity) Bridge and the Palace Bridge, spotlights marked the zone of the future extravaganza. From the Peter and Paul Fortress, helicopters appeared, which unfolded the emblem of the celebration.

First part. Living pictures. The first picture, as an emblem of the pursuit of a dream: a standard-bearer with a banner and two heroes, a young man and a girl, with torches in their hands. The next pictures told about various heroic pasts. Revolution and a Putilov worker. A living group of the 30s — a worker and a collective farm woman. Then the thunderous 40s and a soldier in a cloak-tent. The last picture — Soviet people of the present. A caravan of ships with all these attributes moved to the spit of Vasilyevsky Island. The announcer explained the sacred meaning of the torches, lit "back in the fiery days of the revolution by our fathers." The standard-bearer with the banner went ashore, soared up the steps, raised the flag of the "Scarlet Sails." The young man and the girl transferred the fire of the revolution to the shore. Immediately the torches of the Rostral Columns flared up.

Second part. Ships of dreams. It also consisted of several pictures: Hammer, Sickle, Construction, Consumer Services, Atom, Art, Sports, Warriors of the Homeland. A caravan of ships with installations built on them showed the possibilities of today. Dunayevsky's overture to the film "Captain Grant's Children" was played, followed by a song about the merry wind. The announcer's voice sounded: "A dream is the first step to setting a practical goal. Our life gives many opportunities, opens many paths. These paths are nearby!" — was carried over the Neva. Graduates of past years (their voices) called today's graduates to the fields, so that our land would bloom, to construction sites, so that new cities would appear, to laboratories, so that our science would flourish. In general, they called to create and build a beautiful future.

Third part. Waltzing. A hundred young men and girls in elegant costumes, in carnival masks, with lanterns, in the serpentine of lights, waltzed, waltzed, waltzed.

The performance ended with the triumph of the elements. Streams of a floating fountain beat. Fiery patterns of fireworks illuminated the sky.

This is the general outline of the script. Each year something was added, something was removed. The themes of the event changed. The ships changed. Even the venue of the celebration changed.

1968. It seems that by June, they simply didn't have time. Or they hadn't thought it through yet. In any case, everything was somewhat more modest than planned. Many graduates of those years, now grandmothers and grandfathers, don't remember any Scarlet Sails. "We walked along the embankment until dawn and that's it, nothing else happened!" they claim. Nevertheless, it is from this year that the citywide celebration begins its count. The first part of the 1968 graduation resembled the May Day demonstration. Graduates solemnly marched along Nevsky Prospect from the Palace of Pioneers to Decembrists Square (now Senate Square). At the head of the column — scarlet sails. The emblem of the celebration was mounted on a car and driven along the central street of the city. After the demonstration, the celebration continued. On the embankment of the Neva, from the Summer Garden to the Bronze Horseman, poems, songs, and music sounded. Famous artists, composers, and singers performed on five stages. At midnight, along the Neva, to the sounds of I. Dunayevsky's overture to the film "Captain Grant's Children," a sailing ship with scarlet sails passed by. "Secret" sparkled on board. Yachts passed, illuminated by scarlet spotlights. A ball began on the embankment. And in conclusion — fireworks.

1969. Officially, the celebration was held for the first time this year. To the music of R. Glière's "Hymn to the Great City," a squadron of boats came out from under the Kirovsky (Trinity) Bridge. On the first, snow-white boat stood Assol and Grey, with lit torches. Another A. Grin heroine, "running on waves" Frezi, was added to the procession. On the embankment, young people lined up in a chain, waiting for Assol and Grey. More precisely — for their torches, to light the fires of the Rostral Columns from them.

After the water performance, the celebration continued at various venues. Literary games and amateur poets' competitions were held, as well as simultaneous chess games. Souvenirs and gifts could be purchased in the alleys of Gorky Garden (Alexander Garden).

1970. For the first time, 20 thousand badges for graduates were made at the "Lenemalier" factory. Ships and boats with scarlet sails adorned stages and platforms. They were created in the workshops of the theatrical and artistic combine.

1971. The celebration was moved from the center to the Kirov Islands (Kamenny, Yelagin, and Krestovsky). Graduates of vocational schools joined school graduates. Production leaders and Heroes of Socialist Labor performed. Edita Piekha, vocal-instrumental ensembles "Singing Guitars" and "Friendship" sang on open stages. In the evening, the caravel "Neva" approached Yelagin Island and saluted with two shots. Fireworks illuminated the sky.

1972. The celebration began at 4 pm. Sixteen boats carrying the flags of the USSR and union republics sailed along the Neva to the pier of the Kirov Stadium. A colorful water performance took place there. Then a theatrical performance at the stadium. Together with Leningrad graduates, a delegation from the GDR was at the event, as it was the festival of "Friendship of the Peoples of the USSR and the GDR."

1973. The celebration was returned to the banks of the Neva. Kirovsky Bridge, a flotilla of labor with ships embodying work: "Sickle," "Hammer," "Construction," "Science," "Art," "Defense of the Homeland." Vladimir Ilyich Lenin floated by. Above the river, 20-meter canvases of sails with the words "All paths are open to the young" proudly fluttered.

1974. 50 years since the Komsomol became Leninist. The celebration poster was prepared by artist Alexander Pasternak. Artists from Chisinau, Tallinn, and the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Leningrad Military District performed on concert venues.

1975. V.I. Lenin Stadium (Petrovsky). Little Octobrists, pioneers, sailors, soldiers of the Leningrad Military District, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War marched briskly. Graduates took an oath: "We will be worthy of our fathers." Roman Kartsev, Sergey Zakharov, and the "Singing Guitars" vocal-instrumental ensemble performed in the concert program. A yacht with scarlet sails, on the territory of the stadium. Arcade machines along the Zhdanovka River. A dance floor with an orchestra on the roof-solarium. On the stadium field, a trading port with auto cafes and machines with packaged products. Floating restaurants operated with a special assortment.

1976. Everything as usual: souvenirs, books, a schooner with scarlet sails, concerts, fireworks. The "Music" vocal-instrumental ensemble had just released the rock opera "Scarlet Sails."

1977. The year of the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution. The Kirov Stadium was allocated for the Scarlet Sails. The concert began with the song "Where the Homeland Begins." The torch was lit from the fire of the open-hearth furnaces of the Kirov Plant. Circus performers performed, Eduard Khil sang. Boris Eifman's new ballet showed scenes from one-act performances "Only Love." But, alas, there was no ship. None at all. Not even anything carried on board a car around the stadium. Graduates decided that the sailing ship was waiting for them on the Neva and headed to the embankment after the concert. They were met by police cars. Graduates were told that the celebration was over, they had listened to the concert and that was it, time to go home.

1978. A concert at the "Oktyabrsky" Grand Concert Hall and a broadcast of the celebration over the Neva. After the fireworks, the torches of the Rostral Columns lit up, the schooner "Kodor" with specially sewn scarlet rigging rocked on the waves, the "Hymn to the Great City" sounded. From 00:15 to 02:00, the second part of the recording of ensemble performances sounded over the Neva. And working vessels went about their business on the river: "Volgo-Neft," "Volgo-Balt," "Sormovsky."

1979. A festive concert-ball was held at the "Yubileiny" Sports Palace. There was no sailing ship with sails the color of deep joy in the water area. Only its image on the walls of the sports palace. The sounds of the School Waltz made the evening extraordinarily sad.

The 1980 Olympics were approaching. Security measures in the country were increased. A decision was made not to hold mass events. 1979 is considered the year of the last Scarlet Sails. But this is not entirely true. The Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council annually adopted resolutions on holding a citywide event and allocated money. Each district conducted its own celebration. Famous artists performed in Palaces and Houses of Culture, in parks and squares. The Rostral Columns were lit in honor of graduates. Only a schooner with scarlet sails did not sail along the Neva...

And then there were no more executive committees, Lensoviets, or city committees. There was no one to issue decrees about the celebration. But life went on, graduations too. Moreover, they began to be celebrated in the ninth grade, in the fourth, and even in kindergarten. Here, not the district, but each parent committee developed its own scenario. Restaurants and cafes were booked right after the New Year holidays. Champagne and "Bush's legs" (chicken legs) were purchased at the same time. Different times, different dreams. High school girls were inspired by "Intergirl" and "Pretty Woman." "American boy, I'll leave with you," sang the Assols, while the Greys dreamed of a Black Beamer.

But everything passes. This passed too.

Politics and people's love preserved the fairy tale

The celebration was revived. In 2005. On the initiative of V. Matvienko, with the support of V.V. Putin (according to other sources, the opposite: Vladimir Vladimirovich proposed, Valentina Ivanovna supported). Channel Five, then still St. Petersburg's, said it would cover the celebration from all sides. "Bank Russia" promised money. They didn't think long about the motto: "Russia. Land of opportunities."

Palace Square and a concert of pop stars, circus. On the Neva, a water extravaganza and a ship with scarlet sails. These are constant components of the celebration. But each year is unlike another. The event is becoming more large-scale. The event has ceased to be just a city event; it has become international.

2005. All guests and participants were given white flowers, as a symbol of the revived celebration.

2006. The frigate "Shtandart" seemed to hover above the water. It seemed to float on the Milky Way, created by pyrotechnic effects.

2007. The show was attended by more than 1 million people. On Palace Square, the largest stage construction, its length is 132 m. The music was performed by a flying pianist. On the Neva, the frigate "Shtandart" accompanied by yachts, aquabikes, paragliders. Everything was accompanied by the live sound of the Symphony Orchestra and choir. Channel Five, by that time already Federal, broadcast to the entire country.

2008. The motto of the celebration: "The impossible is possible." The crew of the International Space Station congratulated the graduates live. A 500-meter pyrotechnic waterfall was arranged on the Trinity Bridge. The organizer of the celebration that year was the State Kremlin Palace.

2009. When part of the equipment was already installed, the weather made its own adjustments. The air temperature dropped to +12 degrees, hurricane winds, and downpour turned the assembly sites into lakes. A storm rose in the waters of the Neva. But the show took place and everything went well.

2010. "Scarlet Sails" was attended by 3.5 million people. The entire city center became a pedestrian zone. On Palace Square, the best circus — Cirque du Soleil.

2011. For the first time, 48 high school students from CIS countries arrived at the celebration. A unique stage construction in the shape of a sail, 30 meters high, was built on Palace Square. Thanks to satellite communications, viewers from Europe, the USA, Japan, and Australia were able to watch the show.

2012. A telebridge between Palace Square and Red Square.

2013. Graduates from 12 Russian cities came to the celebration. All of them were participants in the TV show "Creative Class," hosted by A. Pushnoy. The finalists received the title of best graduates and scholarships from 150 to 300 thousand rubles.

2014. The motto was updated. Now it's "Together with Russia." Graduates from Crimea attended the celebration.

2015. The show started an hour earlier than in previous years, as the transition to daylight saving time was not made and the peak of darkness shifted. And darkness is needed for a pyrotechnic show. This year, the celebration entered the top ten most visited tourist events in the world according to The Telegraph and took 3rd place after Oktoberfest and the Brazilian Carnival.

2016. Scarlet Sails was among the finalists of the main European event marketing award European Best Event Awards in five nominations.

2017. New motto: "The future begins today." On Palace Square, futuristic paintings, costumed performances, aerial gymnasts, play of light and color. On the water, a pyrotechnic show, symphony orchestra, and young pianists. The "Scarlet Sails" project received the TEFI 2017 award.

2018. Motto "Together with Russia." Scarlet Sails — 50 years. The FIFA World Cup is taking place in the city. Guests of the celebration — graduates from Armenia, Moldova, Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, and Cyprus.

2019. A tradition appeared to make a wish when the brig with scarlet sails turns in front of Palace Bridge.

2020. New format of the celebration. Due to coronavirus, it was remote. The scenario was adapted for television and online broadcasts. The show was moved to the Gulf of Finland. Everything was wonderful. Only one thing was missing — the graduates, their delight and shining eyes.

2021. 60 years since Gagarin's flight. On the Trinity Bridge, a picture of launching a person into space with fiery letters "Let's go!" was composed from fireworks and spotlight light. A.S. Pushkin read poems on the roof of the Hermitage. According to Rospotrebnadzor's requirements, accompanying persons were not allowed to attend the celebration, except for teachers with a high level of antibodies.

2022. Motto "Together with Russia." Graduates from Mariupol, Donetsk, and Luhansk People's Republics came to the celebration. The Lakhta Center skyscraper joined in the congratulations.

2023. 320 years of St. Petersburg. 55 years of the "Scarlet Sails" celebration. 5 years as the symbol of the celebration, the brig "Russia."

2024. Year of the family. Everything is dedicated to love, overcoming difficulties, family values. "Sing about how ships sail into the distance, not surrendering to storms. Sing about how for the sake of our love this whole world was invented." The brig with scarlet sails was accompanied by flyboarders.

2025. It remains to be written what it will be like, what it will be dedicated to, how it will be organized. So far, only the date is known — June 28. But it will definitely be colorful, fun, interesting.

In Alexander Grin's story, Captain Grey sailed to Assol on a three-masted galliot "Secret." And along the Neva, under scarlet sails, different ships sailed in different years.

1968–1969. Yacht "Metallist". Former "Ushkuynik," the flagship of the Metallist yacht club created in 1926. The sails for the yacht were sewn in one night at the Central Yacht Club of Leningrad. However, they were scarlet from the illumination. The fabric of the sails was, as it should be, white. The side was decorated with glowing letters "Secret"

1970. Schooner "Leningrad". A two-masted motor-sailing schooner. The past is unclear, almost dark. For some time it was called "Sea Devil." In 1945, it was received from Germany as reparations. After the transfer to the Soviet Union, it began its life with a clean slate and received the name "Nadezhda" (Hope). Then it was renamed "Leningrad." And when the city of Leningrad became Petersburg, the schooner again became "Nadezhda."

1971. Brigantine "Neva". This is a replica of the schooner "Santa Maria," on which Christopher Columbus discovered the New World. "Neva" was built by enthusiasts of the Leningrad Club of Water-Motor Tourists.

1972 – 1979. Gaff schooner "Kodor". Built in Finland. In 1951, it was received by the Soviet Union to pay off the reparation debt. It was a fishing vessel for a while. Then it was converted into a training vessel and transferred to the Leningrad Naval School. The schooner appeared in the films "Treasure Island," "In Search of Captain Grant," "Captain Pilgrim." In 1983, the sailing ship was moved to Baku. A short career in the Baku Yacht Club. And then the vessel became a restaurant, reportedly with a decent fish menu.

2005–2007. Frigate "Shtandart". An operational copy of the Russian historical frigate "Shtandart" from the times of Peter I. Built by an initiative group at the "Petrovskaya" shipyard in 1999. Volvo company donated two engines. Governor V. Yakovlev allocated money for the manufacture of two propellers at the Baltic Plant. In 2000, the frigate followed the route of the "Grand Embassy" — through those cities and ports that Peter the Great visited when he was learning seamanship.

2008. Frigate "Mir". Built at the Gdansk shipyards. Now it is the fastest sailing ship, its maximum speed is 21 knots. In 1992, it won a large regatta dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.

2009. Gaff schooner "Yuniy Baltiets" (Young Baltic Sailor) — the only sailing ship built at Russian shipyards since 1914. Built in 1989 specifically for the Leningrad Palace of Pioneers and Schoolchildren. For maritime practice by participants of the "Yunga" club. In 2012, it was transferred to the Maritime Technical Academy named after Admiral D.N. Senyavin.

20102018. Brig "Tre Kronor". A Swedish two-masted sailing ship built in 2005. It is a modern copy of the Swedish brig "Gladan" built in 1857. The hull is made of oak, from the core of pine logs, the deck from Siberian larch. The ship is called a sailing ship of peace. It was built with money from benefactors and volunteers from different countries. It still goes on ecological expeditions, the crew is international. And this is the first Swedish vessel since Peter the Great to enter the inland waters of St. Petersburg.

2019 to the present. Brig "Russia". It was launched in 1958. In 2019, the Government of St. Petersburg acquired the ship specifically for the "Scarlet Sails" celebration. Due to its peculiarities, the brig cannot winter on water; until spring, it lives in a warm hangar. It is improved annually, its decor is changed. 18 scarlet sails made of lightweight material were specially sewn. The total area of the sails is 900 square meters. In the open sea, the brig can develop a speed of up to 16 knots.

In 1701, by decree of Peter the Great, the Moscow School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences was founded. The first graduation of this school took place in 1705. There were 64 graduates. History is silent on whether the students celebrated this event or not. Or, stunned by the prospects that opened up before them, they dispersed. Some became clerks in Tambov, while others went to serve in the Kremlin for the state. In 1715, the senior classes of this school were transferred to St. Petersburg. The Academy of Naval Guard appeared. And the graduates of this academy in 1719 joyfully celebrated the completion of their studies in St. Petersburg. This was the first graduation of the new Academy. The graduates were of different ages, but this did not prevent them from having a great time, with drinking wine and fraternizing.

Various other educational institutions that subsequently emerged had their own regulations that governed the education and life of students. And the process of graduation from the educational institution was described in those documents. Thus, the graduation from the Page Corps resembled the knighting ceremony. The graduate knelt before the sovereign, who touched the graduate's cheek and presented him with a sword. Graduates of the Page Corps received a graduation badge depicting a white Maltese cross. Unofficially, graduates made gold rings with a steel rim. On the rings, they engraved the sequential number of the page, the year of graduation. And the inscription: "You will be as hard as steel and as pure as gold."

In the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, graduation was also strict and official. The graduate was presented to the Emperor, the director of the lyceum read a short text about the graduate. The Emperor thanked the teachers, students, and delivered a parting speech. Graduates were presented with specially cast gold and silver medals. When the high-ranking guests departed, the unofficial part began. With champagne, songs, fraternizing with teachers, and vows of eternal friendship.

Also, graduates bathed in fountains, climbed on monuments, and poured paint on them. In general, they had fun as best they could.

For the first time, graduates went for a river ride in 1878. These were students of the Krasnoyarsk men's gymnasium. Seventy people were enrolled in the first year. Only 6 made it to the exams. Only 3 passed the final exam. It was for these tough Siberian guys that parents hired a small steamboat, on which the lucky ones cruised along the Yenisei.

Girls didn't have such fun. They received exclusively home education. What kind of graduation could there be? But in the 19th century, they thought, why not invite girls to the graduation of naval cadets and other cadets. And the first debut of a young lady in society became an appearance at graduation. It was an expensive pleasure. Sometimes a girl's dress cost a whole estate. But the stakes were high — to marry her off well.

In the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, instead of a graduation ball — a prayer service and a concert of classical music. As a reward, excellent students received a "cipher" — a golden monogram with the initials of the empress.

In 1835, medals of a uniform design were approved. Gold and silver. With inscriptions. "To the Thriving" for those who graduated from gymnasium and "To the Succeeded" for university graduates. The gold one was minted from 990 fineness gold. Silver 925 fineness was used for the silver one. The value was such that by selling the medal, one could pay for studies at a university or even abroad. From 1870, girls also received the right to receive medals.

After the revolution, until the 1930s, there were no graduation balls. There was a formal part, the presentation of education documents, and that's it, forward to build socialism. In the 30s, dance evenings were added. The graduation on June 22, 1941, included dancing, strolling around the city, and meeting the dawn. The last peaceful dawn for the next four years.

The celebration returned in the 50s. Sweet table, fancy dresses, and dancing. No elaborate hairstyles, revealing outfits, and no pressing close to your dance partner. Teachers strictly monitored this.

Everywhere is different, but there is no such amazing, colorful, unifying celebration like "Scarlet Sails" anywhere else.

Poland. Studniówka. It takes place a hundred days before the end of the school year. First, dinner with champagne. Then a ball. The first dance is the polonaise.

Sweden. Mandatory breakfast with champagne, presentation of diplomas, tossing caps in the air, and riding around the city in cars decorated with birch branches.

France. Graduates go all out. They might throw eggs at the school, splash teachers with water, reminding everyone of years of strict discipline.

USA. Limousines, expensive dresses, expensive shows.

Norway. Graduation from May 1 to 17. Graduates walk around the city in special "uniforms" — a T-shirt, hoodie, cap with school symbols, and a red jumpsuit. Recently, it has become popular to rent a bus and drive around the city. It all ends with a parade on the main street.

Argentina. Graduates dress simply because it's customary to pour sauces, syrups, yogurts on each other and walk around like that.

South Korea. Graduates throw raw eggs at each other and sprinkle flour. Then they burn textbooks and notebooks on a bonfire and solemnly cut up their school uniforms.

In general, everything is simple and without any grandeur.

And our "Scarlet Sails" can be seen comfortably seated in front of a TV or monitor. Live broadcast is conducted from 55 shooting points. Cameras stand, hang, fly. Switching from one angle to another, they carry us over the Neva, over Palace Square. View from above, from the side, from inside. All this is provided by modern technology. In a warm apartment, there will be no rain, no wind, no inconveniences. But there won't be the drive that comes from being in the thick of events. On a bridge, on an embankment, on a rooftop. And best of all, on the water. You can watch the video broadcast in a recording. But to feel like a dreamy Assol or a dream-fulfilling Grey, you can only be on board a boat or yacht. There, by the way, you can also turn on the TV, if you really can't do without it.

You can admire the scarlet sails not only on the day of the celebration. Rehearsals are held the day before. Yes, without fireworks. Yes, without the riot of sounds and colors. It's a completely different pleasure — just to rock on the waves next to Captain Grey's galliot and dream.

If Alexander Grin, dreamer and romantic, were asked to address graduates at the "Scarlet Sails" celebration, he would probably say: "My friends, life is a sea, where each of us is the captain of an invisible ship. And when the sunset paints the horizon in scarlet hues, and the sails burn like hearts full of fire — this is not just a celebration. This is a sign. A sign that dreams, even the most incredible ones, should not remain in the harbors of childhood. They should set sail, to where the horizon kisses the sky, and the waves sing of freedom.

Remember: the world misses those who dare to dream. And when thousands of eyes look at this ship — it's not it that sails to you. It's you who sail to it. Forward, to new shores! For the most beautiful thing is not to achieve a dream, but to go towards it, feeling how the deck of the future trembles under your feet.

And may the scarlet color in your life always be the color of morning, not sunset."