Slavyansk-na-Kubani
Slavyansk-na-Kubani () is a town in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, located in the Kuban River delta. Population: 56,000 (1975). History. Slavyansk originated in the Middle Ages as "Copa" or "Coparia", a Genoese trade outpost controlled by the Ghisolfi family and was one of the most important Genoese colonies in the Black Sea area. After the fall of the Genoese power in the Pontic region, the site was abandoned until 1747 when the Crimean Khanate erected a small fort, known in Russian sources as "Kopyl". After the conquest of the Taman Peninsula by the Russian Empire, the Tatar  fort gave way to the Cossack "stanitsa" of "Kopylskaya". In 1865, it was renamed after the Slavyansky regiment that had been quartered there under Catherine the Great. In 1958, it was incorporated as the town of Slavyansk-na-Kubani (so called in order to distinguish it from the eponymous city in Ukraine).. The history of Slavyansk dates backs to the end of the 18th century. This town was a fortress founded by General Suvorov to defend the southern borders of Russia. In 1865 the fortress became a Cossack stanitsa. During World War II this town was occupied by the Germans  in 1942-3 and it was re-occupied by The Red Army in 1943. The town features monuments to those who were lost in the war. According to the 1926 Soviet Census, the town accounted for over 69% of Ukrainians. Toponymy. The town's name is derived from the name of the village Slavyanskaya in 1958. Slavyansk has already existed since the USSR in the Donetsk region so a city name added clarification "-on-Kuban". The name was given to the village by name strengthen "Slavic feldshanets" Slavic Hussars, which had been under the command of Alexander Suvorov on the  right bank of the Kuban. Different sources give different emphasis to the name “Slavyansk” - on the first and the second syllable, however, the locals accepted the name Slavyansk on the first syllable. Geography. The city is located on the banks of the Protoka river that flows to the Kuban Delta, 68 km from Krasnodar. Floor space is 20 square kilometers, along the administrative border - 39,5 km ². There is a railway station on Protoka Timashyovsk line - Crimea. Economy. Agriculture. Slavyansky district is one of the largest agricultural areas of Kuban with a predominance of land cultivation. Grain crops occupy two -thirds of the planted area. The leading direction is the production of rice. More than 30% of the total crop of Kuban rice is harvested in the Slavyansky district. In the region and beyond are widely known products of the agricultural company named "Garden-giant". It is the largest garden in Europe. According to the gross harvest of fruits and berries (annual production is more than 30 thousand tons), the company ranks first in the region (26% of the total volume). Also animal husbandry and fisheries are developed. Administrative and municipal status. Within the framework of administrative divisions, Slavyansk-na -Kubani serves as the administrative center of Slavyansky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the Town of Slavyansk-na-Kubani—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the Town of Slavyansk-na-Kubani is incorporated within Slavyansky Municipal District as Slavyanskoye Urban Settlement. Education. There are 91 educational institutions, including schools - 50 The festival of Slavonic Culture. Of all festivals in the Slavonic calendar, the Festival of the Slavonic Culture is without doubt the most important and colorful . The full name of the holiday - the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture. There are many talented people on the festival. In Slavonic region gather guests from near and far abroad, the inhabitants of the Kuban and other regions of Russia, to share part of their soul, carefully storing a wealth of national cultures. Many pies, soup and dumplings is cooked. Slavonic hut works during the festival. The keeping traditions is very importance in this region. People are proud of the traditions of their country, so they pass them from ancestors to descendants. The organizers are the Federal Agency for  Culture and Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, the regional branch of the All-Russian political party "United Russia", the administration of the Krasnodar Territory, the administration of the Slavonic area. The history of the festival began in 2004, when the provincial town of Slavyansk with 60-thousand population dared to conduct review of the Slavic culture of international scope. For four years, the festival has gained popularity is constantly increasing the number of participants. This year, the city once again welcomes guests from different countries to share the wealth of national cultures  and feel belonging to the Slavic community. The traditional procession of delegations and the parade of brass bands, large dance of friendship and fiery extravaganza, a mini-festival "Filling an apple" on the territory of the agricultural firm "Garden-Giant" and the festival of children's groups "Joy", an entertainment program "Dancing until the morning"as well as a gala concert and a grand fireworks display in the festival program.