Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: The `` Stars of the White Nights '' festival was originally started by the first mayor of St. Petersburg , Anatoly Sobchak , and has been held annually since 1993 .
Simplified: The `` Stars of the White Nights '' festival was originally started by the first mayor of St. Petersburg , Anatoly Sobchak , and has been held every year since 1993 .