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The largest sailing festival has started in Amsterdam

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From 19 to 23 August, the largest sailboat festival from around the world, called Sail, takes place in Eij Bay, near Amsterdam.

The first such festival was held in 1975 on the occasion of Amsterdam's 700th anniversary, and the event has been held every five years since.

«This is the largest festival ever organized," said Erwin van Lambart, managing director of SAIL Event. - We have more than 50 sailboats from literally everywhere, from Australia and Russia to Brazil and Spain».

Clipper Stad Amsterdam made the long journey from the West Netherlands to Amsterdam to take part in the opening parade of the festival.

Russia is represented at the festival by the biggest sailing ships of the participating ships: «Kruzenshtern», «Mir», «Nadezhda» and «Sedov».

In addition to large sailing ships, about 1000 sailing ships, warships and small yachts and boats participate in the festival.

«It is very difficult to organize the safety of movement in this case, - noted the managing director of SAIL Event in his interview to the correspondent of TASS. - Each owner of a boat wishing to participate in the event is obliged to buy a special flag which has a chip implanted in it. With the help of these chips we can monitor in real time the movements of all boats and slow down or speed up some sections».

The festival attracts approximately 2 million spectators. Spectators from all over the world can not only admire the largest historic wooden ships of the 19th century, but also visit them on board. In the evenings visitors can enjoy classical and jazz orchestras, fire shows, entertainment for children and a giant fireworks display.

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