The Finnish city of Kotka stands at the mouth of the Kumijoki River on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, near the border with Russia: the distance to St. Petersburg is only 279 km.
Every summer, Kotka's population increases by at least one hundred thousand people for several July days. People from all over the world come here for the well-known Kotka Maritime Festival –, Finland's biggest summer holiday.
The holiday takes place in the city port –, the most beautiful place in the city – and consists of several parts. These are a variety of and very spectacular sea races, a children's sea festival, a mini-jazz festival, a sea song competition, concerts for every taste. And, of course, the sea market and tasting of seafood dishes.
Armadas of ships from the Baltic region, sailing ships and yachts line up at the port berths. According to tradition, open days are held on festively wounded ships, even on NATO ships.
The history of the Kotka Maritime Festival began back in 1962. One of the main events of the holiday is the International Sea Song Festival, where amateurs from all over the world perform sea songs a la «Bullseye». The festival's music program amazes with the variety of – styles from ordinary pop music to the most complex jazz compositions. As part of the festival, in recent years a traditional concert in memory of Juha Vainio – of the famous Finnish composer originally from Kotka has been taking place.
An important component of the holiday is the Children's Maritime Festival, organized within the framework of the UNICEF program. Music for children is performed here by both adult and young artists. Every little viewer can make their acting debut by reading a poem from the stage, singing a song or dancing a cheerful dance.
Throughout the festival period, games, drawings and street fairy-tale performances are held. On special playgrounds, children draw and make paper and wooden toys themselves, which will be wonderful memories of the holiday upon return.
Marine festival – family holiday. You can and should take children with you here. During the festival, you can relax here pleasantly and cheerfully with the whole family, try traditional dishes from the fresh gifts of the Baltic Sea in one of the many restaurants, pubs or cafes located in all corners of the city and even on the water. There is an interesting activity for every family member. In addition to the rich program of the Maritime Festival, Kotka offers guests walks through fabulous landscape parks and along the sea embankment, boat trips along the Gulf of Finland visiting numerous islands of the archipelago, rafting on the Kymijoki River, and a trip to a fishing village.
Among the city's attractions is the –Vellamo« Marine Center, shaped like a giant wave. Under its roof are the Finnish Maritime Museum, the Kymenlaakso Museum, as well as a restaurant, a marine souvenir shop and conference rooms.
The «Maretarium» aquarium features more than 50 species of fish living in Finnish waters. There is also a souvenir shop, a cafe, the Marine Theater, and exhibitions telling about the latest research by ichthyologists.
Imperial Fishing Dacha – is a unique museum object about 5 km from the city center. It was built in 1889 for the family of Emperor Alexander III.
The rapids of the Kymijoki River are known for good fishing. On the rapids of Siikakoski, Korkeakoski and Langinkoski you can fish almost all year round, catching salmon, whitefish and sea taimen.