Russia has been celebrating National Unity Day since 2005. The holiday was established in 2004.
National Unity Day was established in memory of the events of 1612, when the people's militia led by Kuzma (Kozma) Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky liberated Moscow from the Polish invaders.
Historically, this holiday is associated with the end of the Time of Troubles in Russia in the 17th century.
This year, by November 4, the long-term restoration of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square in Moscow was completed. Today will be its grand opening.
On National Unity Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin, together with representatives of youth and volunteer organizations, will traditionally lay flowers at the monument on Red Square. Then the President will visit the exhibition "Ukraine. At the Turns of the Epochs" at the Manege and meet with historians and representatives of traditional religions of Russia on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Russian Historical and Russian Military Historical Societies.
This year, the format for celebrating National Unity Day on Red Square in Moscow has been changed. Instead of the parade, an immersive event will take place.
"With the help of broadcasting of the 1941 parade footage on big screens, visitors will walk along Red Square shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers who went straight from here to the front", Ekaterina Dragunova, chairman of the Moscow Committee for Public Relations and Youth Policy, told TASS.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin congratulated the Russians on the holiday. "Congratulations on National Unity Day. The development of Russia and the protection of its interests, the improvement of the citizens welfare, ensuring security and overcoming threats are unifying tasks. Unity, faith in our country is the strength of our multinational people", the text of his congratulations was published on the State Duma website.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko also congratulated fellow citizens on the Day of National Unity. "Today, in order to protect the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, preserve its unique cultural and richest natural heritage, the consolidation of the whole society is necessary. Remembering the lessons of the past, we see the importance of the spiritual unity of citizens in ensuring the independence of the state, increasing its security", the congratulation says.
Matviyenko noted that patriotism, humanity and creativity are passed down in Russia from generation to generation, they make a strong core of our genetic memory.
