MOSCOW, November 4 (Itar-Tass) — Russia will mark the 400th anniversary of expulsion of Polish invaders from Moscow by the volunteer army of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin in 1612. Day of People’s Unity was instituted in Russia in 2005 to commemorate this historical event. It coincides with the celebrations of the Day of the Holy Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan.
Day of People’s Unity marked on November 4 symbolizes centuries-old traditions of unity of the people of Russia and their readiness to get together for the sake of achieving great goals, irrespective of nationality, origins, religious persuasion or social status. In 1612, the whole nation rose to defend its homeland, demonstrated examples of heroism and proved that its strength was in unity.
Hundreds of events and festivities will take place in Moscow on the occasion of the memorable date, according to the Moscow mayor’s office. A memorial column will be unveiled in north-eastern Moscow. The sculptures of volunteers from the Minin and Pozharsky army are located at its foundation. The year of 1612 is inscribed over their heads. The column’s top is crowned with a double-headed eagle.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will lay flowers to the Monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky near the St. Bazil’s (Intercession) Cathedral on Moscow’s Red Square, the Kremlin press service reports. The heads of the main religious confessions of Russia will take part in the flower-laying ceremony.
A reception will be given in the Kremlin on Sunday evening where President Putin will present state awards. The guests will include representatives of state power bodies, national and cultural associations, public and scientific organizations and religious confessions as well as the Russian Public Chamber.
On the whole, more than 1,500 events will take place in Moscow on Day of People’s Unity.
Parks, libraries, culture centers, movie houses and children’s music schools will be the main venues for the celebrations. Thematic evenings and scientific and educational programs devoted to the historical date will be held at libraries and culture centers.
Students of music schools will give concerts for their parents, teachers and also for old people and invalids who will come for dinner to social welfare centers.
Numerous thematic exhibitions will work in Moscow on Day of People’s Unity. One of the central expositions titled “Orthodox Rus” will be organized at the Manezh exhibition hall in the heart of Moscow. The Patriarch’s Council for Culture, synodic branches eparchies, monasteries, the governments of Moscow and St. Petersburg have organized numerous displays and expositions devoted to the 400th anniversary of Moscow’s liberation from Polish invaders. Forums, festivals and contests will be held on the sidelines of the “Orthodox Rus” exhibition. Children guides will take their peers on a fascinating theatricalized excursion called “The History of Russia with Children’s Eyes”. The image of Russia will be compared to the image of Phoenix bird, a symbol of eternal life and revival. This image will be the leading theme of the tourist route. Moscow parks will offer entertainment programs. A ceremony devoted to the 400th anniversary of Russia’s liberation from Polish-Lithuanian invaders and their expulsion from Moscow will take place on Moscow’s Poklonnaya Hill; the Energy of Unity youth festival will be held on Bolotnaya Square. A concert titled “The State is Strong if People is United” will be given at Izmailovsky Park, where a symbolic “Unity Tree” will be installed. The “Unity Tree” will be decorated with 400 ribbons of the colors of the Russian tricolor. Each visitor to the park will be able to express patriotic feelings and become a participant in a joint action called “We are the citizens of Russia!” by putting a ribbon on the tree.
Concerts and festivities will be held in other Moscow parks and every administrative district.