Some time ago an Armenian woman got sick at the festival of national cultures 'Inflorescence' in Surgut and representatives of Azerbaijan helped her, the chairman of the public organization the 'Armenian National Cultural Center Ararat', Armenak Simonyan, said at the meeting of the Coordinating Council on ethnic and religious communities.
"On behalf of the people of Armenia I want to express my gratitude to representatives of Azerbaijan for helping our compatriot, who got sick at the festival. Isn't is an example of good relations between nations? This proves that here in Surgut we are true friends, we are brothers and support each other. Let's keep it going that way," he called on.
The head of the National cultural center 'Vainakh', Bislan Makhmudov, also expressed gratitude to his colleagues." When I came to Surgut, after spending some time here I wrote to my father that I was surprised how friendly the representatives of different nationalities are — they're like one big family. We often hold different folk festivals, such as 'Inflorescence' and 'Sabantui' and I hope in the next few years there will be more different joint activities and we continue to ignore religions and nations, because we are all descendants of Adam and Eve," he said.
In addition, the issue with parking lot near the city mosque was discussed at the meeting, the problem is that every Friday a few parishioners left their cars in wrong places. The head of the Surgut Interior Ministry, Alexander Erokhov, said that the police is taking serious measures and have already achieved results, but violations still continue. "We must remember that every citizen is obliged to observe the rules, regardless of nationality or religion," the head of Public Relations Department of the Administration, Arkady Vorobyov, noted.
The head of the public association 'National-Cultural Autonomy of representatives of the Republic of Dagestan in the city of Surgut', Vagif Abdullayev, said that such measures are being taken not only by police officers: members of non-governmental organizations themselves help parishioners to park their cars each Friday.
According to the director of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Surgut administration, Galina Grischenkova, this year's celebration was attended by 16 ethnic associations of the city, it was visited by more than 15 thousand people. The 'Inflorescence' was successful thanks to our joint efforts, our unity and determination. It was a high-quality and meaningful holiday with excellent directorial decision. I would like to separately thank the leaders of associations for their work: you make important and meaningful things! Thank you!" she said.
