Smolensk is celebrating its 1150th anniversary

At the end of the final meeting of the federal committee in Lenin Square, the official events dedicated to the 1150th anniversary of Smolensk and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Smolensk from the Nazi invaders began. The representative of the President in the Central Federal District Alexander Beglov, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, Minister of Culture of Russia Vladimir Medinsky, Union State Secretary Grigory Rapota welcomed the people who came to the square.

The representative of the President in the Central Federal District Alexander Beglov read the greeting address from President Vladimir Putin to the people of Smolensk and Smolensk region greeting. The President of Russia particularly stressed the crucial role of Smolensk in strengthening the Russian statehood, in developing the national culture, science, and education: "You can be proud of the glorious pages of your native city history and many generations of your countrymen, among whom there are well-known writers and scholars, artists and composers, legendary commanders.

Ancient Smolensk took part in many heroic, truly epoch-making events. But no matter what troubles people of the city faced, they always overcame them with honor and became stronger physically and spiritually. People will always remember unprecedented courage and determination of our soldiers and officers, members of the guerrilla movement , who 70 years ago, in the autumn of 1943 liberated Smolensk from the Nazi invaders, and thus added glorious pages to the annals of the Great Patriotic War.

It is important that you cherish the memory of the feat of the liberators of your native land and keep wonderful labor traditions of your ancestors.

I sincerely wish you all the success and all the best. Let your plans and initiatives be always accompanied by good luck".

Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the organizing committee for the celebration of the 1150th anniversary of Smolensk Dmitry Kozak said that it was a great honor and pleasure to take part in the celebration in Smolensk. According to him, the history of the city fully reflects the key stages of the historical path of the country, so the anniversary of Smolensk is a historic landmark, not only for Smolensk region, but for the whole Russia.

On behalf of the two nations - Russia and Belarus - Union State Secretary Grigory Rapota congratulated the Smolensk people.

The first day of the celebrations in Smolensk coincided with a great Orthodox holiday - the Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. This fact was stressed in the greeting speech of Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky. He also said that some time ago, the Federal Security Service officers carried out a successful operation, which didn’t allow the smugglers to get a set of ancient Russian icons out of Russia. They have been carefully restored. On the first day of the celebrations in Lenin Square Vladimir Medinsky on behalf of the Ministry of Culture gave the Diocese of Smolensk the icon of Our Lady of Fedorov . "To the prosperity of Smolensk land and to the greatness of Russia! Glory to Smolensk!", - said the Minister giving the icon.

After greetings from the officials, the theatrical performance "Smolensk is a city looking to the future!" began in the central square of the regional center.