Novorossiysk - Russia
About Novorossiysk
Novorossiysk is a city in southern Russia, the main Russian port on the Black Sea, in the Krasnodar Region. It is one of the twelve cities honoured with the Soviet title of the Hero City.
Founding: 1838 C.E.
Population: 274, 956 (2020)
Ethnic groups: Russian, Armenian, Ukrainian, Tatar, Greek
Primary Religions: Russian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic
Mayor: Igor Dyachenko
Federal Subject: Krasnodar Krai
Temperature averages: 31C/88F high (Aug.), 2C/36F low (Jan.)
Elevation: 10m./30ft.
Currency: Russian Ruble
History
Novorossiysk was founded in 1838 as a base for the Black Sea Fleet and replaced the Turkish fortress of Sujuk-Qale or Soğucak, which had commanded the site since 1722. From August 26, 1918 until March 27, 1920 it was the principal centre of Denikin’s White Army. In 1942, the town was occupied by the Wehrmacht, but a small unit of Soviet sailors defended one part of the town for 225 days, until it was liberated by the Red Army on September 16, 1943. Heroic defense by the Soviet sailors retained possession of the city’s bay, which prevented the Germans from using the port for supply shipments. Novorossiysk was awarded the title Hero City in 1973.
Since 1982
The Gainesville / Novorossiysk Sister City Program was founded in 1982 when the Gainesville City Commission unanimously resolved to invite the people of Novorossiysk to begin a “long standing friendship and association” with the city of Gainesville. The resolution was hand-delivered to Novorossysk, where it was enthusiastically received by city officials. Thus began the first U.S. / Soviet sister city relationship initiated at the community level, without the help of national governments.
The Gainesville / Novorossiysk Sister City Program has been internationally recognized for its pioneering “citizen diplomacy” in establishing relations between American and Russian cities.
Exchanges and Delegations
Every Gainesville mayor has either visited or been in close contact with Novorossiysk since 1982. Since then, numerous delegations from Gainesville have visited Novorossiysk, led by mayors David Coffey, Jim Painter, Tom McKnew, Cynthia Chestnut, Bruce Delaney, Courtland Collier, Mac McEachern and Jean Chalmers, and Alachua County School Board Chair Barbara Gallant. Recently a former mayor of Gainesville, Lauren Poe, visited Novorossiysk with a group of delegates. The delegates have always been warmly received in private homes and in tours of industries, schools, hospitals, recreational facilities and other social institutions.
In 1985, the Cross Creek Cloggers and the Bucksnort Barndance Band (two Gainesville area bands) toured five Soviet cities, including Novorossiysk. Exchanges of children’s art, dancers, musicians, photo exhibits and videotapes have been successfully completed, and a PBS documentary, “Ask Your Sister City To Dance,” filmed during the 1985 visit to Novorossiysk, was broadcast throughout Florida.
Stories
“I’ve heard that Russians really like Americans even when we’re sort-of neck competing. I think that any extension from us to them saying we want to create a friendship, I get the feeling, I may be wrong, but they’ll be very happy to reciprocate.”
Rebecca Brown, Director of Sonlight Youth Choir (Gainesville), 1991
“We would rather see bridges built across the abyss, rather than see both countries slide into that abyss.”
Natasha Kalishman, 1982