OCTOBER 17, 2024 — Arkhangelsk residents Mikhail Shishov and Evangelina Kosmynina have proposed a new flag design for their city, according to Arkhangelsk Online.
They are responding to a 2021 initiative by Mayor Dmitry Morev to adopt an official flag. Currently, Arkhangelsk only has a coat of arms, but no flag.
The proposed flag features a ship sailing on waves, symbolizing Arkhangelsk’s historical significance as Russia’s first seaport and shipyard. The ship sails “towards a bright future,” with the city’s coat of arms displayed on its sails, tying into Russian government guidelines that local flags should be based on the coat of arms.
The coat of arms, granted on October 2, 1780, portrays the Archangel Michael, dressed in blue with a fiery sword and shield, symbolizing the Russian army’s triumph over evil, represented by the Black Devil, according to Geraldika.
Several contests for an Arkhangelsk flag have been held since 2004, but none came to fruition. A 2014 contest receiving five entries but was declared invalid. A former mayor also proposed renaming the city to Putingrad and launched a competition for a new coat of arms.
Image: Arkhangelsk Online