May in the northern capital is the warm-up to the white nights. Summer, hot weather, leaving the house without an umbrella...But if you do miss the rain, why not pay a visit to the exhibition “Rain in St. Petersburg” at the Peter and Paul Fortress, running till June 2005. It features a display of everyday objects that represent life in a rainy city.
     On the multi-cultural scene, May sees the opening of the Festival “Italy on Italianskaya Street” and the continuation of the Festival of Japanese Culture “Japanese Spring in St. Petersburg”, which has already been running since 15th March and goes on till 22nd May. Events are taking place at Shuvalov Palace, House of Cinema (Dom Kino), the Central Naval Museum and Rumyantsev Mansion. This festival coincides with Japanese-based entertainment organised by the General Consulate of Japan. An Origami Festival, “The Rose of the Heart” will be taking place at the Kirov Central Park for Culture and Recreation.
     To mark the125th Birthday of Alexander Blok, a series of meetings are taking place between April and June at the Alexander Blok House-Museum, where the famous group of artists “MIT’KI” will present their own interpretation of the figure of their favorite poet.
     Musical moments in May include the 41st International Festival “Petersburg Musical Spring” from 13th to 26th May and the 2nd International Music Festival “Nordic Music” from 16th to 27th May, both at the Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall. In the main court of the Cappella, there will be a series of Free Open Air Public Concerts, “Cappella Courtyards”, from 15th May to 15th September.
     The famous Greek “Pythian games” are being recreated here in St. Pete. The competition of composers “Pythian games 2005” is organized by the PRO ARTE Institute and supported by the Ford Fund. The event will be staged at the Central Museum of Communication of Popov (at 4 Pochtamskaya St.) on 26th and 28th of April (at 7pm). It’s not just the exciting concerts, but also an unprecedented competition of professional composers.
     Exhibition “Drawing and Water-colour Paintings of Russia in the 18th century” is on display at the Mikhailovsky Palace of the Russian Museum. Every article of this exhibition is of ‘enormous worth’ as most of the paintings of that time were destroyed. The earliest and one of the most curious works is a drawing of Zubov from 1712, that was presented to Peter I.
     The 10th International Festival “Musical Olympus” will run from 26th May to 1st June in Moscow and St. Petersburg. “Musical Olympus” is a showcase of the winners from the largest international music competitions over the last few years. The festival concerts in St. Pete will take place at the Big Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall and the Glinka Small Hall.
     “Franz Ferdinand” is coming to St. Petersburg. One of the most exciting new rock bands in the world will be performing on 19th May at the trendy music ground, at the Military School Manege (Add. 13, University emb.) This megapopular British team has restored belief in rock and rehabilitated the credibility of the guitar as an instrument to dance to.
     The legendary Mark Knopfler will give a concert at the Ledovy Palace on April 28th. You’ll hear the famous hits of «Dire Straits» performed by its ex-leader and compositions from his new album «Shangri-La».
     The grand rock festival “Maxidrome – Northern Version” will be held in St. Pete, in the Sport Concert Complex SKK “Peterburgsky” on May 23rd. The partici pants are among the best bands of the Russian rock stage, such as Animal JazZ, Tequila Jazzz, MultFilmy, Kukryniksy, Amatory, Markscheider Kunst, 4ekhov. The band ‘Limp Bizkit’ will be performing as special guests.
     Ice Ballet… Ballerinas dancing on skates, not on points… the gliding, flying movements on the ice… it’s much more than just a classical ballet. The St. Petersburg State Ice Ballet will give performances this May at the Vyborgsky DK (Palace of Culture) (add.15 Komissara Smirnova St., Vyborgskaya metro station). The choreographer Konstantin Rassadin, who was a leading soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre for 20 years, will present the ice ballets; Swan Lake (May 9, 10), The Nutckrracker (May 11), Cinderella (May 31), Sleeping Beauty (June 1).