Ceremony Awarding State Decorations to Foreign Citizens Who Have Made a Great Contribution to Building Friendship and Cooperation with Russia
November 4, 2009
The Kremlin, Moscow
Вручение государственных наград иностранным гражданам за большой вклад в укрепление дружбы и сотрудничества с Россией
4 ноября 2009 года
Москва, Кремль
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Let me begin by congratulating everyone on our national holiday, the Day of National Unity. This holiday is still new it is the youngest of all our national holidays. It was established only recently, five years ago, to mark our respect for our heroic history and honour the memory of the destiny-making feat that our people accomplished.
Nearly four centuries have passed since that day when people of different social backgrounds, ethnic groups and religions rallied around Kuzma Minins and Dmitry Pozharskys call for unity. They organised a volunteer force and liberated Moscow from foreign invaders. Our peoples unity saved our country at that point in time, saved it from internal strife and external interference and danger, ended the tribulations of the Time of Troubles and ultimately prevented the country from falling apart, thus setting Russia on its historic destiny as a strong and influential state.
I have just returned from Suzdal, where I took part in opening a memorial chapel at the grave of Dmitry Pozharsky. This is a unique place and a unique memorial. It was built in 1885 and took almost twenty years to complete. In the 1930s, like many of our monuments, it was destroyed. Now we have rebuilt it. It took two years to rebuild. I think this is an excellent symbol on the Day of National Unity. Furthermore, it was restored not with state subsidies, but with money donated by the public. It was built on public donations in the nineteenth century, and now has been restored using public donations in the twenty-first century. It unquestionably reminds us of the feat of our outstanding citizen, Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, and of the courage shown by all the heroes who formed the volunteer force.
Back in that distant year 1612, the Russian people united around their love for their homeland, their desire for freedom, and, of course, their sense of responsibility for their countrys destiny. Over the centuries these values have helped our people overcome the severest trials, achieve success and emerge victorious.
Dear friends,
In keeping with the traditions that have already formed over these last few years, present here today are representatives of Russian non-governmental organisations, ethnic-cultural and religious groups. You are all people whose influence and active stand as citizens are helping to strengthen our civil society, social stability and interethnic harmony.
I also welcome our foreign guests, true enthusiasts, who make efforts at the highest level to support interest in our history and culture, promote the study of Russian, and preserve the integrity and diversity of the unique phenomenon that we call the Russian world, which unites our compatriots abroad and all friends of Russia in every corner of our planet.
By tradition, on the Day of National Unity we honour and thank you and of course award state decorations.
Once again, I congratulate you sincerely on this holiday and ask that we now begin the state decorations award ceremony.
PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE ACADEMIE FRANCAISE HELENE CARRERE DENCAUSSE: I would like to thank you for this award from the bottom of my heart; it is a great honour for me. It is a particularly significant honour for me because, as you know, my ancestors come from this nation. Many of their names are written on the walls of this St George Hall, and I have devoted my entire professional life to becoming closer to Russia. I am a Frenchwoman, but a Frenchwoman with a Russian heart. I love this nation, and I can say that the only thing thats important to me is to try to explain Russia to the French. I have educated a generation of students and many readers, and I am certain that as the French truly love Russia, as our countries have very close relations which are unique because they are not some standard relations between two nations; instead, they resemble sincere relations between family members, whats therefore most important for me is to further improve our relations. Soon, the Year of France will be held in Russia, and the Year of Russia will be held in France. I will try to work as hard as I can for these projects, and I am grateful to you, Mr President, for this sign of appreciation.
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kalogeroxx 2 years ago