Millions gather as fireworks brighten St Petersburg's skies
Fireworks explode along the Neva River, the during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Romero
ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Soccer fans from all over the world were treated to a spectacular celebration in St Petersburg on Saturday as millions of people gathered in the city centre for Scarlet Sails, the climactic event of the annual White Nights festival.
The tradition celebrates the end of the school year with a stunning fireworks display as a ship with scarlet sails makes its way slowly along the English and Admiralty Embankments to the Winter Palace.
Soccer fans who stayed behind after Friday's clash between Brazil and Costa Rica as well as thousands more making their way into the city for the next game between Argentina and Nigeria swelled the crowds to more epic proportions than usual.
Fireworks explode over the Peter and Paul Fortress during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Romero
"This is the best atmosphere of celebration, there is both sport and this beauty, so everything is amazing," Nadezhda from Tyumen told Reuters.
"It is always beautiful, always, but today is just marvellous. The mood is just... people have come for the World Cup with such positive attitudes. We welcome everyone." said St Petersburg local Yevgeny Konatin.
For Argentina fan Claudio, his sight was a welcome distraction from his team's struggles at the tournament.
Fireworks explode over the Peter and Paul Fortress during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Romero
"This is an amazing show, we came here to watch a soccer match and we are here and this is incredible," he said.
"The night never comes, the light is always there and these fireworks went on for more than half an hour and we were very surprised. It was very beautiful."
Sweden's brig Tre Kronor with scarlet sails floats on the Neva River during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Romero
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in St Petersburg)
Fireworks explode along the Neva River, the during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroFireworks are seen over the Admiralty building, the Peter and Paul cathedral and the State Hermitage museum during the festivities marking school graduation in St. Petersburg, Russia June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Anton VaganovFireworks explode over the Peter and Paul Fortress during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroFireworks explode over the Peter and Paul Fortress during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroSweden's brig Tre Kronor with scarlet sails floats on the Neva River during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroFireworks explode over the Peter and Paul Fortress during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroFireworks explode over the Peter and Paul Fortress during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroFireworks explode along the Neva River, during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation, in St. Petersburg, Russia,June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Henry RomeroFireworks are seen over the Admiralty building, the Peter and Paul cathedral and the State Hermitage museum during the festivities marking school graduation in St. Petersburg, Russia June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Anton VaganovFireworks are seen over the Admiralty building, the Peter and Paul cathedral and the State Hermitage museum during the festivities marking school graduation in St. Petersburg, Russia June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Anton VaganovSweden's brig Tre Kronor with scarlet sails floats on the Neva River past the Admiralty building, the Peter and Paul cathedral and the State Hermitage museum during the festivities marking school graduation in St. Petersburg, Russia June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
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