Presenting state decorations and presidential prize for contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation

Presenting state decorations and presidential prize for contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation

Vladimir Putin presented state decorations and Presidential prizes for contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation in a ceremony in the Kremlin. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends, Today, we are celebrating National Unity Day in Russia. I would like to once again extend my cordial greetings to the citizens of Russia and our friends on this holiday. This holiday epitomises our great history, our values, and our national character. Whatever challenges our country, the Russian state faced, the response always was the unity of the people, their common and thus invincible will, and their desire to determine their own destiny themselves. This was the case more than four centuries ago, when the people’s militia drove the invaders out of their native land. The same was true in the 19th and in the 20th centuries. Today our fighters are just as bravely defending Russia’s interests and our statehood as part of the special military operation. The people of Russia have united in sincere and effective support for our heroes. People of different ethnicities, cultures, and faiths feel an inseparable connection with one another and know that, of course, each of us has our own small homeland, yet we also have a common great Fatherland, we all share it. The Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, which we are celebrating in our country, is intended to underscore the essential role of such solidarity. Today, the prize for contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation will be presented to Ivan Yesin, Managing Director of the Humanitarian Projects Foundation. For ten years, the foundation has been implementing one of the most important public initiatives in education and the preservation of spiritual heritage, the Russia – My History network of parks. At present, there are 26 such parks operating across Russia, including our reunited regions, and, taking into account temporary exhibitions, the overall audience of the project has already surpassed 30 million people. It is important that the narrative about the past is delivered with the active use of modern technologies, is accessible and engaging, including for young people, schoolchildren, teenagers and students. I would also like to note the contribution of the Humanitarian Projects Foundation to the creation of the New Chersonese museum and church complex in Sevastopol, which offers a unique opportunity to connect with the origins of the country’s statehood. Friends, Russian culture, traditions, and values unite multiple people across the world, and we highly value the efforts of everyone who seeks to strengthen cultural, business, and personal ties with our country. The Order of Honour will be awarded today to Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria). Despite the difficult conditions and attempts to exert external pressure, the republic has been consistently progressing under his leadership. Its residents of various nationalities together defend their rights and interests, protect historical truth, and care for the Russian language. Parkev Avetisyan, a vice‑rector of the Russian‑Armenian University, plays a prominent role in strengthening scientific and educational interaction between our nations and contributes to the implementation of joint studies and research. He, like a number of our other esteemed colleagues from abroad, has been awarded the Order of Friendship. The name of Ennio Bordato, a native of Italy and President of the Help Us Save the Children charity association, is known in many regions of our country, including Donbass and Novorossiya. His spiritual generosity and desire to support those who have found themselves in trouble serve as an inspiration for very many people. The activities of Maxim Kramarenko, head of the Kazakhstani information and analytical centre, Institute for Eurasian Policy, are dedicated to preserving Russia’s historical and cultural heritage, uniting our compatriots, and developing partnership relations with Kazakhstan. The years-long work of Vladimir Malchenko, a rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, carries a vital spiritual and educational mission and helps people and Orthodox parishioners maintain their connection with their historical homeland. Zukhra Shidakova gives special focus in her work to the values of interethnic peace and harmony and does a great deal to promote the culture of the peoples of Russia in Kyrgyzstan. Mr Zhou Liqun is successfully working to attract Chinese business to the Russian economy and to develop public diplomacy. I would like to note that he is also the vice‑chairman of the Russian‑Chinese Friendship Society. I would like to sincerely thank all our colleagues and friends who will be awarded high state decorations today. Friends, Your contribution to strengthening relations with Russia, building trust and harmony between people of different nationalities and cultures, is especially important now as we witness the emergence of a more just, multipolar world. Allow me to thank you for this cooperation, for this work, and to congratulate you on receiving state decorations of the Russian Federation. Thank you for your attention. To be continued.