2016 Brest City Day celebrations

Belarus’ Brest is famous all over the world for its heroic defense during the Great Patriotic War. In 1941, the main citadel of the country, Brest Fortress, was the first to face the brunt of the Nazis’ assault and held out for record 28 days. To commemorate this tragic past, Brest chose 28 July, the day of its liberation from the Nazis in 1944, as its City Day.

In the run-up to the City Day, Brest traditionally hosted meetings and ceremonies of laying wreaths and flowers at the monuments honoring the feat of the Motherland defenders, including at the legendary memorial Brest Hero Fortress and the Liberation Monument in Svobody Square.

The main City Day celebrations took place in the center of Brest: the opening ceremony was held near the monument to the millennial anniversary of Brest (the city will celebrate this great anniversary in 2019). The program also included a theatrical procession, sports competitions, concerts of Belarusian singers and bands, Biking in Heels parade…

The festival was crowned by a gala concert Happy Birthday, Brest! featuring Ukrainian pop star Ani Lorak and a fireworks in the sky above the rowing canal.