Today, one of the oldest cities of Russia and the second largest in Dagestan, Derbent, celebrates its 2000th anniversary. According to the head of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, nearly five thousand people will participate in the celebrations. The authorities of the Republic stated that the celebration of the anniversary will also be attended by 40 delegations from regions of Russia and abroad. The festivities involve ambassadors from Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and other countries, RIA Novosti reports.
Information about the age of Derbent differs. According to the latest scientific data, the city is 2000 years old. But if you count from the emergence of the first settlements on the Derbent hill, it turns out that the age of the city is at least 5000 years. Derbent is a city-museum under open air. There are more than 400 historic monuments of federal and regional importance, some of which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Special attention should be paid to the fortress 'Naryn-Kala' from the middle of the 6th century, which was connected with the Caspian Sea by double walls to block the 'Caspian Gates' to the Persian empire. Impregnable defensive constructions rise to 340 meters above sea level and cover an area of about 4.5 hectares.
Throughout the centuries, Derbent has been inhabited by various peoples, who speak different languages and profess different religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.
According to historians, one of the oldest cities in Russia and the world is mentioned not only in history books, but also in the scriptures of Christians and Muslims: the Bible and the Koran. The ancient historians Herodotus, Pliny and Strabo also wrote about the 'Caspian Gates'.
A festive program massive in its scope awaits the guests of the event. Throughout the day, a festival of culture and ethnic homesteads 'Tradition' will be held, it will feature 29 national homesteads. 13 of them will be presented by peoples of the Republic of Dagestan, another 16 will be from other regions of Russia. Guests of the festival will be able to get acquainted with such handicrafts as carpet weaving and pottery. Goldsmiths from the village of Kubachi, known throughout Russia, will hold master classes on making silver jewelry. Products of decorative arts and folk crafts will be sold at fairs.
On Freedom Square two grand events will be held – the festival of national cultures and homesteads of the peoples of Dagestan with the participation of other Russian subjects 'Tradition', and the exhibition 'Rainbow of Carpets'.
In addition to the events planned for September, the authorities of the Republic will hold Days of Dagestan and Derbent in the capital of France at the end of 2015.
According to the Minister of Culture of the Republic, Zarema Butaeva, during the festive events in Paris an exposition of Dagestan will present otraditional crafts and folk arts and crafts of the region.
"This event will contribute to the revival of interest in the history of Dagestan and Russia, as well as integration of Dagestani culture into the international cultural space and the development of international cultural exchange," Butaeva noted.
Yesterday, the participants in the celebrations dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of the city of Derbent were congratulated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.
