Dovlatov Day

День Довлатова

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Arts & CultureSaint Petersburg
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival is built around one street and
Language["ru"]Currency: RUB
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Dovlatov Day in Saint Petersburg

Dovlatov Day is a literary festival held in Saint Petersburg around September 3, the birthday of writer Sergei Dovlatov, centered on Rubinstein Street where he lived. First held in 2016 to mark his 75th anniversary, it combines a monument unveiling, walking tours, exhibitions and a jazz concert honoring the Soviet-era satirist who emigrated to New York.

Sergei Dovlatov was born on September 3, 1941, and spent much of his adult life in Leningrad writing satirical, semi-autobiographical prose that circulated in samizdat because Soviet publishers largely rejected it.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival is built around one street and one writer: Rubinstein Street, where Dovlatov lived for years before his 1978 emigration, becomes the stage for the event, and a bronze monument to him now stands on the sidewalk outside his former building

02

The mystery stays covered

The inaugural 2016 festival paired the statue's unveiling with documentaries, guided walks to locations from his stories, photo exhibitions, theatrical readings and a jazz concert, reflecting Dovlatov's own affection for jazz and the underground literary scene of late-Soviet Leningrad

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival centers on the bronze statue of Dovlatov installed outside the Rubinstein Street building where he once lived

Water and renewal

Living ritual

unveiled as part of the first festival in 2016 to mark his 75th birth anniversary

The sacred route

Living ritual

Public readings from his semi-autobiographical stories and a jazz concert have accompanied the festival since its founding

The local code

Living ritual

echoing the writer's own ties to Leningrad's underground jazz and literary circles

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Dovlatov Day, plan transport around the exact Saint Petersburg venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suits a festival built around walking tours and outdoor street gatherings. Early September in Saint Petersburg is mild but can turn rainy, so a light jacket and...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Dovlatov Day, stay near the part of Saint Petersburg you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ru"] · RUB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map59.94 N, 30.31 EOpen in Google Maps

Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Nearest airportLED — Pulkovo
TransportFor Dovlatov Day, plan transport around the exact Saint Petersburg venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Dovlatov Day, stay near the part of Saint Petersburg you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Saint Petersburg via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Saint Petersburg, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suits a festival built around walking tours and outdoor street gatherings. Early September in Saint Petersburg is mild but can turn rainy, so a light jacket and umbrella are sensible.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Russia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Dovlatov Day?

Dovlatov Day is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Dovlatov Day take place?

The festival is listed in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdovlatovday.ru
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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