More than 300 participate in annual family festival organized by St. Petersburg church :: Adventist News Network

Jun 20, 2019  |  St. Petersburg, Russia  |  Andrey Demidov

The St. Petersburg Adventist church recently held their annual festival for the whole family. Over 300 people came out to enjoy the many exhibits and activities. 

A Christian literature booth offered books for sale on spiritual topics, health, nutrition, family relationships and parenting. In addition, festival guests received the magazines The Hidden Treasure and Your Keys to Health.

Oleg Chumak, a member of the Union of Artists of Russia, presented a special art workshop “Discover the Creator in You,” at which brush and paint lovers could create their own small work of art. Not For the First Year, a special master art class taught by Tatyana Shangurova, a national master of painting on wood and lacquer miniatures, was opened to festival visitors. 

This year, under Shangurova’s guidance, adults and children made bright wooden crafts. Every master class participant received paint, wooden blanks, glue, varnishes—all the necessary components to create beautiful crafts. 

Other creative workshops (drawing, weaving, working with wool) allowed adults and children to plunge into the festive atmosphere. At a special science camp exhibit, experiment lovers were able to enjoy various demonstrations from the world of chemistry, physics, biology and crystallography. A rope trail  and climbing wall was organized so the more adventurous participants could compete in climbing skill and ability. An adult health fair also featured principles of a healthy lifestyle with a variety of delicious food to sample. 

Music lovers enjoyed musical performances organized on the summer stage. In the evening, a charity concert of sacred music was held, raising funds to restore schools for children in Syria. The concert featured the “Inspiration” ensemble, directed by Elena Yazlovitskaya; St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution “Krasnoselsky”; the vocal-choral ensemble “Color of Sound”; the choir “Northern Blue” under the direction of Natalia Logvinova-Beysova; and the chamber choir “Rodnik.” 

Little visitors watched a puppet show with bated breath as the biblical story of Noah was told through the eyes of a mouse—one of the animals saved from the flood waters—while other festival guests snacked on hot tea, pie, caramel apples, popcorn and other treats. 

This event has become a tradition for the St. Petersburg Adventist church and highlights how important family values and caring for loved ones is to the Church.