My native town Murmansk is beautiful all year round

1. When was Murmansk founded?
2. What is Murmansk famous for?
3. What places of interest are there in Murmansk?

Murmansk is the capital of the Murmansk region and a unique town. It was founded on the 4^th of October in 1916 and was originally called Romanov-on-Murman.

The foundation of the town is connected with World War 1. Russia was isolated from allies in this war, therefore it was decided to build a sea port on the shore of never freezing Kola Inlet and to connect this port with Petrograd by railway.

Murmansk is a hero-town. The period of World War 2 was the most difficult time for Murmansk. Though the town was burned and ruined, people lived, worked, handled allied convoys and Germans could not capture it. The monument to the defenders of the Russian North is erected on the Green Point. The statue is called “Alyosha”. Murmansk was restored and rebuilt after the war. The town spreads on three natural terraces. It started to grow up on the first terrace where docks, port facilities, fishery works and shipyards are situated now. Murmansk is famous for its two ports – the Fishing port and the Merchant port. The life of Murmansk is closely connected with the sea and the ocean. Many seamen and fishermen live here. They have their own Culture Centers. In July there is a special festival which is called Fishermen’s Day.

Many tourists visit Murmansk every year. They are attracted by such phenomena as the polar day, the polar night, the unforgettable northern lights, traditional festivals, interesting sightseeings.

In the square in front of the Regional Scientific Library, which was built in 1970, there is a monument to the Fathers of the Slavic alphabet, Cyril and Mephody. This monument is the second and last copy of the world’s famed monument by Vladimir Grinevski. It is a gift from Bulgaria. An original monument is in Sofia and the first copy of it is in Rome. The monument was erected on 22 May, 1990.

The building occupied by the Art Museum is the first brick building in Murmansk. It was built in 1927 and used as a department store and a restaurant before. Nowadays the Art Museum houses a collection of applied arts, an exhibition of drawings, pictures of modern painters.

The regional Museum of local lore has a permanent exposition describing nature and history of the region. The remarkable natural conditions in any season offer the best opportunities for fishing, hunting and gathering mushrooms, berries, herbs. On the shore of Semenovskoye Lake there is Children’s Palace.

Traditional Northern Festivals have been celebrated in Murmansk since 1934.Different kinds of winter sports are included in festival programs. The most popular sports are skiing, biathlon, reindeer races. Murmansk townspeople also celebrate the following festivals: New Year, Maslenitsa, Victory Day, Fishermen’s Day, the date of town foundation and religious holidays.

Murmansk is rather young but native people are proud of their beautiful, hospitable town.

3. Answer the questions

1. Why was it decided to build a sea port on the shore of never freezing Kola Inlet?
2. What does the statue “Alyosha” symbolize?
3. How many terraces does the town spread on?
4. What is the life of Murmansk closely connected with?
5. Why do many tourists visit Murmansk?
6. What festivals do Murmansk townspeople celebrate?

4. Say if the statements are true or false. If they are false give the right variant

1. Murmansk was founded on the 4^th of October in 1916.
2. The foundation of the town is connected with World War 2.
3. Murmansk spreads on five terraces.
4. Many fishermen live in Murmansk.
5. The monument to Cyril and Mephody is in front of the Art Museum.
6. The most popular winter sports are skiing, biathlon, reindeer races.

6. Follow-up

Imagine you have a foreign friend in your town. Name the places you would advise him/her to visit. Give reasons for your choice.