Moscow State University marks 261st anniversary

Moscow State University celebrates its 261st anniversary today, when Russian students are marking Tatyana’s Day.

"As you know, the Empress Elizabeth of Russia postponed the publication of the decree to found the first Russian university until Tatyana's Day, which was on the birthday of Shuvalov's mother [Ivan Shuvalov, statesman, who was a favorite of the Empress]. Thus, the Empress made a gift to Ivan Ivanovich," the rector of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Viktor Sadovnichy, said.

He noted that the traditional meeting of academics working in Moscow State University was held already. In addition, awards and diplomas were presented to distinguished professors and scholarships were awarded to the best students.

Today the main celebrations will start with a solemn service in the Temple of St. Tatyana the Martyr.

"Then I will speak at the Christmas Readings in the Kremlin Palace, where I will tell about the history of our Temple of St. Tatyana and the role of religious education," Sadovnichy said.

In the evening a solemn meeting devoted to the 261th anniversary of Moscow University will be held. "It will be attended by the speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, representatives of the Board of Trustees of MSU, Leo Bokeria, Lev Granovsky, Oleg Deripaska, Andrei Kostin, Yuri Osipov, Yury Solomin, Valentina Tereshkova, Vladimir Yakunin, Sergei Lebedev, Tair Mansurov, as well as rectors of Russian and foreign universities," the press service of the university said, adding that the event will continue with the presentation of the Lomonosov and Shuvalovsky Prizes.

"We have transferred the tradition of treating students with medovukha and an evening gala concert to the next day," Viktor Sadovnichy said.

"Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko will visit our university. We will sign an agreement on the work of Moscow University and the Russian Union of Rectors with the Ministry of Sports, an agreement which will support student sports," the rector announced.