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Moscow to mark the city's coat-of-arms and flag day Mon

A festive concert is to be given in the Moscow City government building on Novy Arbat on Monday

MOSCOW, May 6 (Itar-Tass) - The capital of Russia on Monday marks the Day of Coat-of-Arms and Flag. Moscow is the only region in the country to celebrate the coat-of-arms day along with other city holidays: City Day (the first Saturday of September), Moscow University Day (January 25 -- Tatiana Day), and Day of the Start of Soviet troops counteroffensive near Moscow in 1941 (December 5).

The Moscow City Duma legislature adopted a law on the city's coat-of-arms and flag in 1995; a law "On City's Red-Letter Days" in 2004. The Day of Coat-of-Arms and Flag was first celebrated in Moscow in 2005.

The originals of the capital's coat-of-arms and flag, and their descriptions are kept at the History Museum of the City of Moscow. Anyone wishing can get acquainted with them.

It was not by chance that the May 6 date was chosen for the celebration of the city's coat-of-arms and flag. This is the day of commemoration of Great Martyr, St George the Victorious, who ever since the times of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy has been reckoned the celestial patron of Moscow. The flag and the coat-of-arms of the Russian capital bear a representation of St George.

State and city flags are hung out all over the city. A festive concert is to be given in the Moscow City government building on Novy Arbat on Monday. A ceremonial meeting of frontline soldiers is to be held in the grand conference hall. Get-togethers of veterans have been also arranged in the city's administrative ditricts, distrifct executive councils, and in public organizations.

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