Orel: two anniversaries in one city

The city of Orel celebrated the 450th anniversary of its foundation and the 73rd anniversary of its liberation from Nazi invaders. It was founded during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in 1566 as a fortress on the southern borders of the country. The first fireworks in the years of the Great Patriotic War dedicated to the city's liberation from the Nazi German invasion was held in Moscow on August 5th 1943.

In 2007, Orel was among the first cities awarded the title "City of Military Glory".

Orel's City Day started with a rally at Peace Square. The governor of the Orel region, Vadim Potomsky, addressed the audience and veterans with a congratulatory speech. "Orel is celebrating its anniversary as a modern, beautiful and dynamic city. It should be continued. The Soviet soldiers believed it while liberating Orel '73 years ago. Everyone dreamed about it. They restored the ruins at great cost. Today new generations of Orel's citizens are solving the problems of their native land development, contributing to the strengthening of great Russia's power. Taking the example of our veterans and heroic ancestors, we will continue doing everything necessary for the city of Orel to be the center of a strong and developed region in the very heart of Russia."

During the ceremony, Orel was given the flag of military glory, after which the local, regional and federal authorities laid wreaths at the monument to the heroes tankmen and the mass grave.

A member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, a representative of the executive body of the Orel Region, senator Vladimir Krugly, told Vestnik Kavkaza: "Today Orel is hosting a very symbolic and long-awaited event for all the citizens. Firstly, this is the 73rd anniversary of liberation the city from the Nazi invaders. But most importantly, it's still a birthday celebration, the City Day. The 450th anniversary of Orel."

"This is one of the most important holidays for me. A holiday which is spiritualized by the great feat, unique history and brotherhood of all the peoples of the Soviet country, who fought here against fascism. They fought, giving their lives, against the greatest evil in the world. And here, on this land, they broke the backbone of the fascist beast. They proved that friendship, work and justice are above violence, money or anything else," the Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov told Vestnik Kavkaza.

"We sincerely congratulate the residents of the Orel region, of the city of Orel. We wish you further development and see that there have been many changes already. The region is developing. We plan to further interact with the Orel region, to cooperate in various projects," the permanent representative of Ingushetia, Ruslan Hautiev, told Vestnik Kavkaza.

The changing of the guard of the Kremlin regiment at the central city square was one of the most spectacular activities in the framework of the City Day events. The changing of the guard ceremony was attended by the three service departments of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant of the Federal Service of the Russian Federation, the Honor Guard Company, the Presidential Orchestra and the Honorary Cavalry Escort of the Presidential Regiment.