[POST]Industrial Urals: E-Day. Ekaterinburg's Day of the City

The city came into being in 1723 when construction began on the largest ironworks in Russia at the time.

The city was named in honor of Emperor Peter the Great's wife, Yekaterina who later became Empress of the Russian Empire.

The center of the city is still the site of a dam that divides the city pond and the Iset River's current further down stream. It's popularly referred to as 'Plotinka', or 'The Little Dam'.

A portrait of musician Viktor Tsoi at a crossing near the dam.

Yekaterinburg can confidently be called a post-industrial city, although industry continues to play an important role in the city's economy.

'Rus' written on a bag.

During city anniversary celebrations, catering points pop up where celebrants can quench their thirst and hunger.

Picnics in the park are a fairly rare sight in Russia's regions, in contrast to Europe.

Yekaterinburg celebrates its anniversary, or 'day of the city' every year on the third Saturday in August.

Locks on fences are a relatively new wedding tradition. However, it does form a sort of historic continuity of the tradition among newly-weds of tying ribbons on trees.

On occasions like this, various Russian Federation-themed souvenirs are always sold.

The city's official anniversary falls on November 18. On this day in 1723, a trial run of war hammers was produced on the assembly lines of this new factory on the Iset River.

But Day of the City celebrations in August are much better known. The move was made mostly because of the weather. Oftentimes in November, the temperature reaches -15 degrees Celsius (5 F).

The city's official anniversary goes by with almost no fanfare or celebrations among citizens. They usually find out about it from news stories and the opening of exhibitions at regional museums.

In recent times, a large emphasis has been placed on traditional moments in Russian life. Exhibits on folk costumes are held wherein visitors can take part in some elements of daily life.

But most citizens still prefer not to go to the city center to avoid people who have had a bit too much to drink. Still, some efforts are made to significantly limit the sale of alcohol in the city's downtown area.

Yekaterinburg is a growing city that can be held up confidently as a successful example of reshaping the city's consciousness from an industrial society to a post-industrial one.

The process is far from being perfect, but the city has already come a long way from being a factory town to achieving the status of a modern metropolis.