St Petersburg, Russia – From Saturday night into early Sunday morning, St Petersburg hosted its annual Scarlet Sails festival to celebrate the graduation of high school students.

Nearly 100,000 graduates from across Russia attended this year’s event. More than 500 students from Moldova, Cuba, Venezuela, and several African countries were also invited as special guests.

The celebration kicked off with a large concert in Palace Square featuring popular Russian singers and bands loved by young audiences.

St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov delivered a speech, congratulating the graduates.

Inspired by the novel by Alexander Grin, the Scarlet Sails festival has become one of the city’s most iconic cultural traditions.

The event concluded with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

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