St Petersburg University celebrates its 300th anniversary

On 5 February, the Palace Bridge was adorned with flags, and four building facades were decorated with light installations featuring SPbU symbols. In addition, on the same day, the Rossiya Kultura TV channel premiered a series of documentaries commemorating the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. The first episode presented the University’s history and traditions, along with the contributions of notable scientists and alumni to the advancement of both domestic and global science.

As part of the 300th anniversary celebrations, the University is participating in the international exhibition forum "Russia". Visitors to the St Petersburg stand can learn about the ground-breaking research being conducted at SPbU and see the accomplishments of its leading scientists. You can vote for the best exhibit to support St Petersburg. To cast your vote, follow the link and choose one of the 11 categories provided. One of the categories, "Progress and Innovation", highlights the scientific achievements of the regions.

On the night of 7-8 February, the University hosted the «Planet of Sports Jeu de Paume» event, named after the first indoor sports facility in Russia, which is located on the territory of our University. All SPbU students and staff were able to take part in competitions in eight sports, including cyber sports. At 11 pm, students were invited to the ice rink of the Vasileostrovsky District Centre for Physical Culture, Sports and Health to celebrate the University’s birthday on the ice.

In addition to numerous events to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, students, alumni, and foreign partners of SPbU, as well as anyone who wishes to join in the celebrations, can share their congratulations and well wishes with the University by contributing to a virtual time capsule. This allows everyone to contribute to the University’s history and become part of a large academic community by sharing their emotions and impressions of this significant event.

Traditionally, the celebration of the University’s birthday on 8 February began with a shot from the cannon of the Peter and Paul Fortress at noon. The honour of firing the cannon shot was given to Gennady Bogomazov, Chairman of the College of Honorary Professors and the Ethics Commission of SPbU, together with two SPbU volunteers in the special military operation zone: Alexander Babiev, an anaesthesiologist at the Department of Anaesthesiology-Reanimation of the SPbU Clinic, and Vladimir Sukhinin, a master’s student at SPbU from Donetsk. 

On this day, a cooperation agreement was signed between St Petersburg University and the State Museum of the History of St Petersburg. The document was signed by Marina Lavrikova, the First Deputy Rector of SPbU, and Irina Karpenko, the Deputy Director General for Educational Activities of the Museum.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of SPbU and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, delivered a speech as part of the celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the University at the St Petersburg stand at the International Exhibition Forum «Russia». Leading SPbU scientists also gave talks and masterclasses for the guests.

The presentation and cancellation ceremony of the postage stamp commemorating the 300th anniversary of SPbU took place in the Petrovsky Hall of the Twelve Collegia building. The winners of the All-Russia competition for the design of the stamp were also honoured. Over 100 young artists and designers submitted their works, and the expert jury, consisting of prominent SPbU teachers and employees of Publishing and Trade Centre «Marka», selected the best piece. After the ceremony, attendees could participate in a postcrossing event and send postcards with the commemorative stamp to their loved ones. A post box was installed in the University building for this purpose. 

On 8 February, we celebrate not only the University’s birthday but also the anniversary of the birth of one of our most famous alumni — the great chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. In 2024, SPbU will celebrate the 190th anniversary of Mendeleev’s birth with the launch of an online exhibition titled «Dmitri Mendeleev — three services to the Motherland». The online exhibition «History of the University in Signs and Badges» will showcase the most significant events in the history of SPbU. In addition, SPbU hosted the seminar "Alma Mater of the Russian Petrographic School" dedicated to the opening of the updated exposition of the SPbU Petrography Museum.

On the evening of 8 February, torches illuminated the Rostral Columns.

Our students and staff are not the only ones celebrating. On 8 February, a challenge was launched on VKontakte Steps to celebrate the anniversary. Anyone who completes 300,000 steps by the deadline will receive a themed reward in the achievement list. 

On 9th February, Rossiya Airlines held a presentation of its new aircraft livery. Seven design options were created for the anniversary, and the student body voted to choose the winner. 

The portrait gallery of the rectors of Imperial University, Petrograd University, Leningrad State University, and SPbU was inaugurated in the Twelve Collegia building. It is located on the grand staircase next to the Assembly Hall, which is used for SPbU Academic Council meetings and other ceremonial events.