Other events in Baltic States

Tallinn is about to host the world's largest fleet of sailing ships in the middle of next summer as it will serve as one of the hosting ports of international sail training regatta The Tall Ships Races 2021, reported LETA/BNS. 

The regatta will bring tens of thousands of guests to the capital of Estonia and entail tourism revenue measuring in the tens of millions of euros, spokespeople for the city government said.

The Tall Ships Races will stop over in Tallinn from July 15-18 next year.

Deputy Mayor Vadim Belobrovtsev compared the arrival of The Tall Ships Races here to the sailing regatta of the Moscow Olympics held in Tallinn 40 years ago.

"Hosting so grandiose a sailing ship fleet is on the one hand a big honor for us and a recognition for Tallinn as a dignified port city, whereas on the other hand it is a result of consistent work that places Tallinn even more firmly on the map of the maritime cities of Europe," the deputy mayor said.

The one hundred or so ships will berth in the Old City Harbor, the Seaplane Harbor, in the Noblessner harbor compound, in Kalaranna Harbor and at Patarei Naval Fortress in Tallinn.

The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors who will specially visit Tallinn to enjoy the sight of tall ships.

By way of comparison, the stopover of the same regatta in the Finnish port city of Turku during four days in 2017 was visited by over half a million people and entailed tourism revenue of more than 35 mln euros.

At least half of the crews of the ships are made up of young people of ages 15-25 coming from different countries, who have been selected in their home countries from among hundreds of applicants and many of whom are having their first ever sea trip.

Also young people from Estonia can take part in the regatta, as Tallinn is sponsoring the participation of over 200 young people in different stages of the event. The acceptance of applications starts in September. 

A professional crew on each of the ships ensures safety and a quality program in training in sailing ship routines.  

"The Baltic Sea is specifically in the focus for Tallinn as a finalist for Green Capital of Europe  2022. Unfortunately, the Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas and one of the seas under the strongest human impact in the world. However, its future is in our hands. Every one of us can through their actions no matter whether at sea or on land preserve the Baltic Sea and its ecosystem. I am genuinely glad that green way of thinking lies also at the heart of The Tall Ships Races sailing regatta. Also Tallinn stays firmly on the environment friendly course," Belobrovtsev said.

Registration to The Tall Ships Races 2021 starts at the beginning of 2021 and the list of vessels will be closed in spring. Traditionally, of the major vessels, Alexander von Humboldt, a ship 57 meters long and 36.85 meters tall, Christian Radich, 62 meters long and 33 meters tall, Dar Mlodziezy, 94.8 meters long and 50 meters tall, and Statsraad Lehmkuhl, 84.6 meters long and  48 meters tall, have been taking part in the race. 

The Tall Ships Races 2021, taking place from June 27 to Aug. 3, will stop over in Klaipeda, Turku, Tallinn, Maarianhamina and Szczecin. The aim of the training regatta is to include and teach young people and draw attention to the condition of the maritime environment and  environmental sustainability.