OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2010. The first session of the working group on preparation of the international fish festival to be held on August 20-21 on Lake Janisjarvi, near the town of Sortavala was held in the Ministry of Economic Development of Karelia. The festival is initiated by the Administration of Sortavala region, travel agencies of the Ladoga lakeside are ready to render organizational support, as the the Ministry of Economic Development will oversee all the festival.

During the working meeting chaired y the Minister of Economic Development of Karelia Mikhail Yurinov there have been discussed some organizational issues. In particular, Mikhail Yurinov has emphasized, that "special attention of all participants of the festival organization should be concentrated on security, corresponding organizations should be involved in this work, participants should be instructed thoroughly, it is necessary to provide the event with necessary means of aiding."

It is supposed to invite up to 150 people to the festival – fans of sportfishing from Karelia, Leningrad region, and Finland. According to the Head of Sortavala region Alexander Sokolov, "the fish festival should become a new brand of the region, promote attraction of interest of investors to development of territory of the North Ladoga lakeside and to increase the tourist flow in the region." Within the scope of the festival it is planned to hold seminars, a theme exhibitions and excursions for visitors and people living in the region. The festival will be launched in the town of Sortavala.