On March 18, the Republic of Crimea celebrates the Day of Crimea’s Reunification with Russia. In Sevastopol, this date is called the Day of the Return of the City of Sevastopol to Russia and is considered a non-working day, RIA News reports.
Crimea and Sevastopol became Russian regions again after a referendum held on March 16, 2014, in which the majority of residents voted for joining Russia. It is specified that reunification with Russia was supported by 96.77 per cent of Crimeans and 95.6 per cent of Sevastopol residents. By the way, now Sevastopol together with Moscow and St. Petersburg bears the title of the federal city.
The day of Crimea’s joining Russia is traditionally celebrated throughout Russia with parades, concerts, mass celebrations, and other festive events. The main events take place in Crimea and Sevastopol, which culminate in festive fireworks. In 2021, the celebrations are held under the slogan “Crimean Spring – Seven Years at Home”.
Thus, in total, 140 festive events were organized in Sevastopol and in Moscow a grand concert for 40 thousand spectators, exhibitions on boulevards and at airports were also arranged, Izvestia reports.
It is noted that Crimea is a popular holiday destination. In 2019, 7.43 million tourists visited the peninsula. At the end of 2020, there were already 6.3 million of them. During the New Year holidays (December 27-January 10), 239.7 thousand tourists went to Crimea, which is 14 per cent more than in the same period of 2019-2020. At the end of 2020, direct tax revenues to the Crimean budget from the resort and tourism industry amounted to 3.8 billion rubles, which is 2.5 per cent more than in 2019. So, the tourism sector, together with related industries, provides 25-30 per cent of total budget revenues.
Today, in the capital of Crimea, the city of Simferopol, a motorcycle ride of the “Night Wolves” motorcycle club has already started. According to the Crimean local website, the column of motorcycles and cars departed at 10 am from Lenin Square. The ride will take place along the route Simferopol – Sevastopol – Gasfort Mountain. Also in Sudak, a festive motor ride dedicated to the 7th anniversary of the reunification of Crimea with Russia started with about 100 cars taking part in the event.
Other motorcycle clubs, including those from the republics of Donbass, joined the action organized by the “Night Wolves” motorcycle club. The action was also attended by representatives of the Crimean Union of Afghanistan Veterans and the Cossacks, Crimean RIA News reports. The Sevastopol convoy will join the Simferopol convoy and together they will go to Sapun-Gora, where a festive concert and motorcycle show will take place.
Ru-Main, 18.03.2021, Pictures: RIA News, Crimean RIA News
