The Smolensk branch of the World Russian People's Council will be created in the region

The Culture and Exhibition Center named after the Tenishevs hosted the joint press-conference of Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy and Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazma Isidor, which was dedicated to the creation of a branch of the World Russian People's Council (WRPC) in our region. It was initiated by a number of public organizations and Smolensk honor residents.

The main idea of the Council, established under the guidance of the Russian Orthodox Church, of upholding the ideals of the national culture, language, spirituality, national identity has been tested by time and numerous hardships.

Addressing the audience of active civil society representatives, Bishop Isidor stressed that the World Russian People's Council is an international public organization created to consolidate people with the similar way of thinking: "Within the framework of the Council, we all have the opportunity to discuss issues which concern our society. It is a friendly platform for the dialogue between the authorities and society with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church. I am convinced that the communication between government and society with the participation of the church here, on our Smolensk land, will be very beneficial. I'm not saying that the society of our region has been divided. No, it hasn’t. But the Russian Orthodox Church is ready to help to make this dialogue tolerant and justified. The Smolensk branch of the Council could be an essential tool for such consolidation".

Answering the journalists’ questions about the directions of work of the created regional branch of the Council, Alexey Ostrovskiy said: "We do not live in isolation from the rest of the country. Therefore, in the work of the Administration of Smolensk region, as well as in the work of the regional branch of the World Russian People's Council, we should be guided by the decisions and activities carried out by the state authorities (I mean applicable to the Administration of the region) and as for the World Russian People's Council, which is headed by Patriarch Kirill (applicable to our branch) by the activities carried out all over the country. Considering the practical application in terms of continuity in the work of the federal executive bodies and our regional Administration, we try to keep in line with the policy carried out by the President of the Russian Federation. And here, I think we will be guided by the work done by Patriarch Kirill. The issues discussed throughout the country are typical for our region".

The journalists wanted to know how one could join the regional branch of the Council and what to expect from its members.

"From the public organizations and from the individuals who are willing to participated in the Russian People's Council we are expecting a civil position, which should be based on the patriotic basis," - said the Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazma Isidor.

In the coming months there will be a convention of the constituent assembly and the main topic for discussion at the first meeting of the Smolensk Branch WRPC will announced.