Russians mark Russia Day

Today, on June 12th, the Russian Federation marks one of the major national holidays - Russia Day. On this occasion, a real cascade of unusual and colorful events, which will be attended by units of the Presidential Regiment, artists, athletes and millions of Russians of all ages is expected to be held across the entire country. 

In Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin will present state awards of the Russian Federation of 2015 for outstanding achievements in the field of science and technology, literature and art, as well as in the field of humanitarian activity.

Directors Sergey Ursulyak and Lev Dodin, the head of Kuban Cossacks Choir Viktor Zakharchenko, artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre Valery Gergiev, as well as academics Erik Galimov, Sergey Lukyanov, Evgeny Sverdlov and Sergey Nedospasov are among the recipients. After the awarding ceremony, Ivanovskaya square of Kremlin will host an official reception on the occasion of the national holiday - Russia Day.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev congratulated all Russian citizens on the holiday. "Happy Russia Day!" he wrote on his Instagram page.

Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Vladimir Putin on Russia Day. "I sincerely congratulate You and through You the friendly people of Russia on your country’s national holiday – Russia Day. Under your leadership, the Russian Federation has made significant achievements in strengthening statehood and the rule of law, and constructing an efficient economy. Successive reforms in the political, social and economic life, harmony and stability in society, active foreign policy have all been a basis for strengthening the international influence of Russia."

"The high level of the Azerbaijani-Russian intergovernmental relations as well as dynamic and comprehensive development of our cooperation in all areas is especially gratifying. I am convinced that our joint efforts will continue to focus on further expansion of strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between our countries, to strengthen the strong traditions of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual support between our nations. Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, I wish you good health, happiness and success, and the friendly people of Russia peace and prosperity," APA quoted him as saying.

On the occasion of the holiday, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent congratulatory messages to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the Russian government Dmitry Medvedev. In the congratulatory message addressed to the President of the Russian Federation, President Sargsyan noted with satisfaction that the strategic nature of the Armenian-Russian cooperation, which is based on the friendly and brotherly relations of the two peoples, constantly reveals itself on the bilateral interstate level, as well as in the cooperation in the framework of international and regional settings. “I am confident that through the joint efforts we will be able to promote future development of the entire complex of our bilateral relations and implement reached agreements which are aimed at maintaining development in the atmosphere of stability and security.”

In the congratulatory message addressed to the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, President Sargsyan noted that this remarkable holiday is inseparably tied to the profound transformation in Russia’s vital activities and is aimed at the prosperity of the citizens and strengthening of Russia’s role on the international arena, Public Radio of Armenia reports.