Volga Day is an ecological observance celebrated in Russia every year on May 20. It primarily takes place in cities along the Volga basin, including Nizhny Novgorod, Astrakhan, Volgograd, Kazan, Saratov, and Yaroslavl. The Volga River, often referred to as Mother Volga, is significant in Russian culture as it is the longest river in Europe and holds a symbolic meaning. The celebration began in 2008 in Nizhny Novgorod during the Nizhny Novgorod Fair and the International Forum “The Great Rivers,” with other cities joining in the following year. Events organized for Volga Day include conferences, discussions, workshops, and educational activities, coordinated by a partnership program between the UNESCO office in Moscow and Coca-Cola Hellenic in Russia, under the initiative “The Living Volga.” These activities aim to emphasize the importance of protecting the Volga River ecosystem.