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Over 120 events planned in Moscow to mark National Unity Day

An operational headquarters is set up at the Russian interior Ministry's Moscow department

MOSCOW, November 4 (Itar-Tass) —— Over 120 events will take place in Moscow to mark National Unity Day. The celebration will last throughout the weekend.

More than 5,000 policemen will ensure security in the city this Friday, when 18 authorized mass public political events will be held.

At the same time, the Russian Interior Ministry noted the police would prevent any unsanctioned actions and provocations.

An operational headquarters is set up at the Russian interior Ministry's Moscow department. Appropriate measures are taken to ensure public order and security for citizens and prevent extremist manifestations, crime and offences during mass events, police said.

According to the mayor's office, main mass festive events will take place at the Manezh central exhibition hall, Vasilyevsky Spusk, Poklonnaya Hill and Gorky, Fili, Sokolniki, Izmailovo, Kuzminki and other parks.

Videos about the celebrations will be shown on 56 plasma screens installed at Moscow streets. The city is decorated with hundreds of festive posters and boards.

A concert marking the holiday will be given in the Moscow conservatory. An exhibition and a forum on "Orthodox Rus -- by National Unity Day, the Russian Orthodox Church -- the Results of the 20 Years (1991-2011)" will take place in the Manezh exhibition hall from November 4 to 7.

Festivities marking National Unity Day will be held in the Kolomenskoye museum estate with a historical programme devoted to the events of 1612, when people led by Minin and Pozharsky freed Moscow from Polish and Lithuanian invaders. The performance will reflect the atmosphere of the events and recall how Russian people displayed heroism and unity irrespective of origin and faith.

Exhibitions devoted to the theme of national unity will open at many sites in the capital.

About 10,000 activists of the movement United Russia’s Young Guards will come together with United Russia members for a meeting on Poklonnaya Hill.

The youth movement "Ours" plans to hold a Russian march of about 10,000 people as an alternative to the march of nationalists. It will take place in the All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VDNKh). The march will end with a festive carnival. National dished will be cooked and offered to visitors, and a show to choose the most beautiful girl in a national dress and a contest for the most mass national dance will be held at the festival.

The nationalist movement will have its own Russian March in southeastern Moscow, in Lyublino. In this connection, traffic will be limited on Pererva Street from 11:00 till 16:30.

National Unity Day is celebrated in Russia since 2005 in honour of the feat of people's army led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky when Moscow was liberated from the invaders in 1612.