In many all-Russian magazines published in the Empire in the early 20th century, you can find a section titled “In the Provinces.”
There were even special correspondents assigned to this section, and thanks to their work, we are able to see unique and rare photographs related to our beloved city.
For example, in the 1915 issue of the magazine *Ogonek*, we find:
In the province:
Based on photographs by “Ogonyok” correspondents Menkov, Aleksandrovich, Suvoykin, and Burkovsky—“Spring Festival in Kharkiv.” The latest street fundraiser for the families of reservists was organized with great fanfare. A specially organized procession marched through the streets, led by heralds and the chariot of spring.
Philip Dikan found more detailed information about the event—the following information was published in the Kharkiv newspaper *Yuzhny Krai*:
The “Spring Festival,” held yesterday at the racetrack to benefit the City’s 3rd Board of Trustees for the Welfare of the Families of Reservists Who Have Gone to War, was a lively event; the “Spring Procession” was particularly picturesque: a chariot drawn by a pair of white horses and generously strewn with flowers drove along the track with springtime solemnity; Ahead of the chariot, 60 girls moved in unison, portraying grasshoppers, butterflies, the first spring grasses, the first spring flowers, mushrooms, strawberries, and other berries, and so on; a cart drawn by a pair of oxen, Little Russian peasants with scythes and rakes, and a crowd of Little Russian peasant women adorned with wildflowers and other blossoms successfully created the illusion of a Little Russian spring; To round out the scene, the Little Russians danced a spirited “hopak.” The audience’s delight was indescribable. The entrance of 20 trotting horses, double races—light and fast—and, finally, automobiles brought the open-air “Spring Festival” to a close. The “festival” was filmed for the cinema. To conclude the event, a cabaret was held at the express restaurant.
According to a rough estimate, tickets totaling 2,000 rubles were sold. A total of 360 people participated in organizing the “Festival.”
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