August 31, 2021: birthday of the Taganrog-native actress Faina Ranevskaya was traditionally celebrated in Taganrog. Recognized as one of the greatest comic actors of the 20th century, she was born as Faina Feldman on August 27 (O.S. August 15), 1896 in the city of Taganrog in a wealthy Jewish family. Faina attended the local school for girls and received regular home education - she was given music, singing, foreign languages lessons. In 1915 the young girl left her home city to pursue a theater career in Moscow.


The historical building that belonged to Ranevskaya's parents is now part of the Taganrog Group of Museums (Taganrog State Literary and Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve) and is currently undergoing reconstruction to restore it to its original appearance. The memorial museum will open its doors to the visitors after the end of reconstruction.


Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the programme of activities was reduced in comparison to previous years. Sailing competitions entitled "The Umbrella Morning" were held in the water area of Taganrog's yacht club. The opening ceremony was attended by President of Taganrog City Council (Duma) and City Executive Inna Titarenko, the director of of Russian Post in the South of Russia Andrey Yershov, member of Taganrog City Council (Duma) Yelena Sirota, and the director of Youth Sports School of the Olympic Reserve No. 3 Olga Tishchenko.


"What is the link between Ranevskaya and sailing? Of course, it is Taganrog. Our city is inseparable from the sea and such world-known persons as Anton Chekhov, Seraphima Blonskaya, Valentin Parnakh, and indeed Faina Ranevskaya, one of the greatest actresses of the 20th century in the world", said Inna Titarenko and wished the yachtsmen good luck.


Russian Post had printed 5 thousand postcards with Ranevskaya's portraits. At the commemoration of Faina Ranevskaya's birthday, a special commemorative postcard cancellation was held in the territory of Taganrog Yacht Club.


Another related event was a graffiti festival, which was held in Taganrog's Gorky Park on August 27-29. Among its participants were teachers and students of Children School of Arts, young artists from Taganrog, and members of public youth organization "Going Vertical". They dedicated their graffiti artworks to Faina Ranevskaya's birthday, Russian Cinema Day, the upcoming 100th anniversary of Russian jazz, and the legacy of Alexander Pushkin.