Santa Claus - Christmas journey - Rovaniemi Finland

Santa Claus - Christmas journey - Rovaniemi Finland

Christmas elves dance and perform while Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, left to his long Christmas journey from the Santa's Village at the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland, on December 23, 2025. - LAURA HAAPAMÄKI / LEHTIKUVA / STR - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES.(Credit:Laura Haapamäki/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Santa Claus - Christmas journey - Rovaniemi Finland

Santa Claus - Christmas journey - Rovaniemi Finland

Christmas elves dance and perform while Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, left to his long Christmas journey from the Santa's Village at the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland, on December 23, 2025. - LAURA HAAPAMÄKI / LEHTIKUVA / STR - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES.(Credit:Laura Haapamäki/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Children in Ukrainian national clothes dance in a circle in the garden at the St. Sophia of Kyiv National Conservation Area on Easter, Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Yuliia Ovsiannikova/Ukrinform)

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Children in Ukrainian national clothes dance in a circle in the garden at the St. Sophia of Kyiv National Conservation Area on Easter, Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Yuliia Ovsiannikova/Ukrinform)

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Children in Ukrainian national clothes dance in a circle in the garden at the St. Sophia of Kyiv National Conservation Area on Easter, Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Yuliia Ovsiannikova/Ukrinform)

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Celebration of Easter at St. Sophia of Kyiv

Children in Ukrainian national clothes dance in a circle in the garden at the St. Sophia of Kyiv National Conservation Area on Easter, Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Yuliia Ovsiannikova/Ukrinform)

Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz

Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz

Young men perform a traditional Kurdish dance in a circle surrounded by women in colorful dresses during Nowruz festivities in Saqqez, Iran on March 18, 2024. Nowruz, marking the arrival of spring and the Persian New Year, is a powerful expression of Kurdish identity, celebrated with music, dance, and resistance. Photo by Barbod Khorshidi/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz

Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz

A Kurdish child performs in the middle of a large Nowruz circle dance in Saqqez, Iran on March 13, 2025. Nowruz is celebrated on the spring equinox and marks the first day of the Iranian calendar, symbolizing renewal, the arrival of spring, and the connection between people and nature. Photo by Barbod Khorshidi/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz

Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz

A Kurdish child performs in the middle of a large Nowruz circle dance in Saqqez, Iran on March 13, 2025. Nowruz is celebrated on the spring equinox and marks the first day of the Iranian calendar, symbolizing renewal, the arrival of spring, and the connection between people and nature. Photo by Barbod Khorshidi/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Rally attendees dance in a circle during an event marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7th attack against Israel, in Washington DC on Monday, October 7, 2024. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Rally attendees dance in a circle during an event marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7th attack against Israel, in Washington DC on Monday, October 7, 2024. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Rally attendees dance in a circle during an event marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7th attack against Israel, in Washington DC on Monday, October 7, 2024. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Rally attendees dance in a circle during an event marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7th attack against Israel, in Washington DC on Monday, October 7, 2024. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Oct. 7 One Year Anniversary Event With JD Vance - DC

Rally attendees dance in a circle during an event marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7th attack against Israel, in Washington DC on Monday, October 7, 2024. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Lantern festival in southwestern Japan

Lantern festival in southwestern Japan

Around 1,000 women wearing golden paper lanterns on their heads form a circle during the Yamaga lantern dance festival in Yamaga in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on Aug. 16, 2024.

Lantern festival in southwestern Japan

Lantern festival in southwestern Japan

Around 1,000 women wearing golden paper lanterns on their heads form a circle during the Yamaga lantern dance festival in Yamaga in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on Aug. 16, 2024.

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 23, 2024 - Women dance in a circle at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Pyrohiv during the Kupala Night celebration, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 23, 2024 - Women dance in a circle at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Pyrohiv during the Kupala Night celebration, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 23, 2024 - Women dance in a circle at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Pyrohiv during the Kupala Night celebration, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 23, 2024 - Children in folk costumes dance in a circle around the effigies of Kupalo (L) and Marena at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Pyrohiv during the Kupala Night celebration, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 23, 2024 - Children in folk costumes dance in a circle around the effigy of Marena at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Pyrohiv during the Kupala Night celebration, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

Kupala Night celebration in Pyrohiv Museum in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 23, 2024 - Children in folk costumes dance in a circle around the effigies of Kupalo (L) and Marena at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Pyrohiv during the Kupala Night celebration, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240616) -- BEIJING, June 16, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo taken on June 14, 2024 shows a scene of a Guozhuang dance contest at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Tenzin Nyida)

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240616) -- BEIJING, June 16, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on June 14, 2024 shows a scene of a Guozhuang dance contest at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo taken on June 14, 2024 shows a scene of a Guozhuang dance contest at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Competitors perform Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A competitor performs Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People watch a Guozhuang dance contest at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Zhiqi)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A tourist records the scene of Guozhuang dance contest with a mobile phone at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Zhiqi)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Competitors perform Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on June 14, 2024 shows a scene of a Guozhuang dance contest at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Competitors perform Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Competitors perform Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People watch a Guozhuang dance contest at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Huang Zhiqi)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A competitor performs Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Competitors perform Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A tourist records the scene of Guozhuang dance contest with a mobile phone at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Huang Zhiqi)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

CHINA-XIZANG-LHASA-GUOZHUANG DANCE CONTEST(CN)

(240615) -- LHASA, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Competitors perform Guozhuang dance at a park in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 14, 2024. The second Guozhuang dance contest (final) was held here on Friday. Twelve teams presented a cheerful audio-visual feast for the citizens and tourists. Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Pride Parade In Washington

Pride Parade In Washington

Participants dance on the VIDA Fitness float during the DC Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Logan Circle, Washington, DC, USA. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Middle East IMages/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pride Parade In Washington

Pride Parade In Washington

Participants dance on the VIDA Fitness float during the DC Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Logan Circle, Washington, DC, USA. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Middle East IMages/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pride Parade In Washington

Pride Parade In Washington

Participants dance on the VIDA Fitness float during the DC Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Logan Circle, Washington, DC, USA. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Middle East IMages/ABACAPRESS.COM

#CHINA-MAY DAY HOLIDAY-TOURISM (CN)

#CHINA-MAY DAY HOLIDAY-TOURISM (CN)

(240504) -- SHANGRI-LA, May 4, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Tourists and locals attend a Guozhuang dance at a square in Shangri-la of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 3, 2024. Guozhuang is a traditional Tibetan dance meaning singing and dancing in a circle. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Ma Hongbo/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-VLADIVOSTOK-MASLENITSA-CELEBRATION

RUSSIA-VLADIVOSTOK-MASLENITSA-CELEBRATION

(240317) -- VLADIVOSTOK, March 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People participate in a circle dance in the central square in Vladivostok, Russia, March 17, 2024. On Sunday, the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok celebrates Maslenitsa, bidding winter farewell and welcoming spring. Locals engage in traditional games and enjoy blini in the central square. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua)

Traditional games held to celebrate Tibetan New Year in China's Xizang

STORY: Traditional games held to celebrate Tibetan New Year in China's Xizang SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 13, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:38 LOCATION: Xigaze, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Sigulong village 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): TENZIN WANGDU, Resident of Sigulong Village, Xigaze City 3. various of Tibetan games 4. various of Guozhuang Dance STORYLINE: A series of traditional Tibetan games, such as throwing the horns of yaks and playing with sheep's knees, were recently held during this year's Tibetan New Year in Sigulong Village in Xigaze, a city in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. After Tibetan traditional games, villagers formed a big circle and danced the Guozhuang, a traditional Tibetan dance to celebrate the New Year. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): TENZIN WANGDU, Resident of Sigulong Village, Xigaze City "Every year, our village enjoys a festive atmosphere to welcome the Tibetan New Year. I hope to pass down the traditional games and culture of our ethnic group. Happy Ne

Lighting menorah candle in Odesa

Lighting menorah candle in Odesa

ODESA, UKRAINE - DECEMBER 10, 2023 - Adults and children dance in a circle as another candle is being lit in Prymorskyi Boulevard during the Hanukkah celebration, Odesa, southern Ukraine.

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

(230816) --ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People dance in circles at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia on Aug. 15, 2023. The 7th "Russian Circle Dance" international festival was held on Tuesday in more than 100 cities, with the main venue being St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

(230816) --ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People dance in circles at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia on Aug. 15, 2023. The 7th "Russian Circle Dance" international festival was held on Tuesday in more than 100 cities, with the main venue being St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

(230816) --ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People dance in circles at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia on Aug. 15, 2023. The 7th "Russian Circle Dance" international festival was held on Tuesday in more than 100 cities, with the main venue being St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

(230816) --ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People dance in circles at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia on Aug. 15, 2023. The 7th "Russian Circle Dance" international festival was held on Tuesday in more than 100 cities, with the main venue being St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

RUSSIA-ST. PETERSBURG-CIRCLE DANCE

(230816) --ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People dance in circles at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia on Aug. 15, 2023. The 7th "Russian Circle Dance" international festival was held on Tuesday in more than 100 cities, with the main venue being St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)