The rich, eventful, often tragic history of this city soseems to be deeply embedded in the consciousness of Kalinigraders, old and young, whom I have talked to. Friday night on promotion tour at the large fountain, some young (drunk) Kaliningraders asked us: what are you doing here? Maybe just my feeling that many reacted with surprise to our visit here, with enthusiasm to our project, but with wonder at why we should choose this city and above all with confusion as to why Moving Baltic Sea exists at all.

Others have told me how much they love Kaliningrad. How Kaliningraders feel first as Kaliningraders and only second or third as Russians. How many young people from Moscow choose to move here.

The walk from the Museum to the ship by now seems like a familiar walk home, though still so far! The large apartment blocks opposite to the museum, grey and run-down, suddenly have a homey touch – all of a sudden, I’ve perceived the lovingly kept little gardens in between these blocks of grey, the old women selling cucumbers infront of the supermarket, had daily chats with the lady working in the supermarket cafeteria, though she doesn’t speak a word of English nor I of Russian.

The Fork.

Beware: the fork has been wandering around town. All through the streets of Kaliningrad, the fork has plastered the streets with flyers and caught the attention of half the city, as well-attended festival events have shown. The fork has become a number one promotion tool, while the whale and the fish puppet adorn the conference room of the Museum of World Oceans.

The Press.

A Kaliningrad TV station wanted to fake a Lovis romance, looking for an on-board couple to stand at the front of the ship Titanic-style and kiss. Emmm…yeah we’re all for romance… but… thanks, but no thanks.

Festival Day 3.

At the info center, full of people throughout the day, kids are drawing boats in the guest book and adults are chatting with our Russian volunteers. Infront of the info center dome, about 15 young sprayers are fully concentrated on the graffitti wall they are creating for Moving Baltic Sea. Come evening, the place is full of people for the “Stories from the Seaside” film screening. Probably half of them were already here yesterday and came back today, so by now the festival area is full of Kaliningraders we already know. Hopefully they’ll be back again tomorrow!