FEBRUARY 20, 2025 — Pskov Region marks its Flag Day today, commemorating the official recognition of the regional flag in 2019, according to Pskov News Feed.
The date was established as an annual celebration in 2023 by the Pskov Regional Assembly.
The flag of Pskov Region consists of a blue rectangular field featuring a hand, a cloud, and a leopard, elements drawn from the regional coat of arms. Along the hoist side, a white stripe contains a row of triangular ornaments inspired by the traditional Pskov architectural motif known as “begunets.”
For 25 years, Pskov Region was the only federal subject in Russia without an official flag. That changed in 2019 when the design was registered in the State Heraldic Register of the Russian Federation, following an initiative led by Governor Mikhail Vedernikov.
The 2023 decision to establish an official Flag Day removed the region’s unique status as the last in Russia to lack a flag.
Commemorative events are planned across the region, with the flag being prominently displayed on public and private buildings, as well as during official ceremonies. The law establishing Flag Day mandates that the regional flag be raised on government buildings, enterprises, organizations, and even residential homes on this day.
Pskov City Head Boris Yelkin noted that every element of the flag carries historical meaning, particularly the leopard, which represents strength, courage, and valor. “Let today serve as a reminder that our history and culture live in every symbol, connecting the past and present,” Yelkin stated.
Natalya Fedorova, head of Pskov District, said in a statement that “for every resident of Pskov, the elements of the flag represent a cultural code shaped by our region’s thousand-year history as a frontier on Russia’s western borders,” she remarked. She also reiterated the flag’s reflection of Pskov’s heritage, mentioning its distinctive color and architectural motifs.
