Spring Fountain Festival in Peterhof to mark the 300th anniversary of the University
On 18 May, the Spring Fountain Festival will take place at the Grand Cascade in the Lower Park of the Peterhof State Museum Reserve. This year, the festival is called Alma Mater and is dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, which was founded together with the Academy of Sciences by a decree of Peter the Great in 1724.
The history of Peterhof and the University is the history of knowledge and experience, the history of understanding and development, the history of teachers and mentors, but above all it is the history of those who once took an important step towards enlightenment and culture. It was in Peterhof that the genius of Peter the Great, the scientific thought and the discoveries of his contemporaries found their first comprehensive embodiment.
The life of St Petersburg University is inseparably associated with the life of our city and the whole country. For 300 years, it has been educating high-calibre experts in various fields who have made a significant contribution to the development of national and world science.
Elena Chernova, Senior Vice-Rector of St Petersburg University
"This year’s Fountain Festival in St Petersburg, dedicated to the anniversary of Russia’s oldest university, will be an opportunity to launch new projects and give impetus to the development of the University," said Elena Chernova, Senior Vice-Rector of St Petersburg University.
The Fountain Festival will begin at 1pm with a theatrical performance telling about the history of Peterhof, the foundation of the University, the achievements of its great alumni, and the life of St Petersburg University today. During the ceremony, the guests will be addressed by: Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg and Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Roman Kovrikov, General Director of the Peterhof State Museum Reserve.
Traditionally, the Festival will end with the turning of the fountain key, which symbolically marks the start of Peterhof’s fountains and the beginning of the summer season. The Anthem to a Great City and the ancient student hymn ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’ will be played over the Grand Cascade to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. The ceremony will be completed by the fireworks illuminating the sky above the Grand Peterhof Palace.
St Petersburg University, the oldest university in Russia, was founded on 28 January (8 February) 1724. This is the day when Peter the Great issued a decree establishing the University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Today, St Petersburg University is an internationally recognised centre for education, research and culture. In 2024, St Petersburg University celebrates its 300th anniversary.
The plan of events during the celebration of the anniversary of the University was approved at the meeting of the Organising Committee for the celebration of St Petersburg University’s 300th anniversary. The meeting was chaired by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Among the events are: the naming of a minor planet in honour of St Petersburg University; the issuance of bank cards with a special design; and the branding of the aircraft of the Rossiya Airlines to name just a few. To mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, a postage stamp depicting the Twelve Collegia building and the monument to Count Sergey Uvarov was issued.
By the decision of the Governor of St Petersburg Alexander Beglov, 2024 is a year of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University in St Petersburg. On the day of the University’s 300th anniversary torches will be lit on the Rostral Columns on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. St Petersburg University flags will be raised on the Palace Bridge. The city public transport will be decorated with the University’s symbols. New tourist maps will feature the locations of the University buildings, with thematic and historical materials about the University placed nearby. During St Petersburg’s City Day celebrations in May 2024, St Petersburg University will be a participating venue. The traditional "Scarlet Sails Festival" will also be dedicated to the anniversaries of St Petersburg University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Additionally, the University has launched a website dedicated to the upcoming holiday. The website contains information about outstanding University staff, students, and alumni; scientific achievements; and details of preparations for the anniversary.