The port of Murmansk is always happy to give hospitality to ships of all flags.
The International Seamen's Club takes care of crews'
free time and offers them good opportunities for sightseeing in Murmansk, the capital of
Russian Zapoliariye, which is the region beyond the Polar Circle. Foreign seamen can, with
the aid of the Interclub, make excursions by bus about the city, visit the Murmansk
District Museum of Local Lore, call at various enterprises. The Interclub's cosy
atmosphere is good for rest and friendly meet- ings. In the evening, one can sit around in
the bar, watch the TV, read newspapers in Russian or foreign languages, play tennis or
billiards. "Russian Samovar" night parties are very popular with guests.
Meeting interests of sports fans and amateurs, the Interclub arranges chess tournaments,
volley-ball, football and basket-ball games, as well as skiing promena- des. Each summer
an International Maritime Sports Week is conduct-ed jointly with the "Vodnik"
sports Association. During these events, foreign and Soviet seamen can compete in
track-and-field, football and other sports. Murmansk is city of seamen, fishermen,
shiprepairers and builders, Polar pioneers and a base of the uclear-powered ice-breaker
fleet. It is rightly called the capital of Soviet Zapoliariye. Murmansk is a major
economic and cultural centre in Russia. The city beyond the Polar Circle is also called
the "Gate to the Arctic". It is from this place that people started conquering
vast northern territories of our country that are so rich in minerals. It became possible
due to a powerful fleet of transport vessels and ice-breakes of Murmansk Shipping Company
and to the commercial port and shiprepair yerd. Nowadays, Murmansk is not only a large
port and industrial centre. Much attention is paid to the city's cultural progress. It now
has higher education institutions, theaters, movie-theaters, concert halls. Murmansk is a
wold-renown sport centre. The traditional Northern Festival is annually held here, for
more that fifty years now, to which hundred of sportsmen come from many countries. During
the Festival, thousands of Murmansk citizens and guests take tract of a Marathon skiing
race. Also traditional now are International Marine Sports Week which are held every year.
Sports fans and amadiums, sports halls and a swimming-pool. Nortern charms of Murmansk
attract a great many Soiet and foreign guests, including many tourists from Finland,
Sweden and Norway.
The northern city always dives a cordial welcome to its guests.