Russian President Vladimir Putin is sure that unity and devotion to the Motherland have great strength and have been strengthened throughout the country's history.
At a ceremony to present state awards and medals of the Hero of Labor on Sunday, the head of state congratulated Russians on Russia Day. In his opinion, this national holiday is "filled with pride in its history and faith in its future." "Today we are particularly acutely aware of how important it is for the Fatherland, for our society and people to be united. Such unity, devotion to the homeland, responsibility for it was bequeathed to us by our ancestors," Putin said.
"We know what great power these centuries-old traditions, moral values and spiritual foundations have. They were born and strengthened throughout the millennial history of Russia and today unite our multinational people for whom sincere, deep feelings of patriotism have been and remain sacred at all times," the president is convinced.
"We are proud of the achievements and military victories of our ancestors, all those who strove and were able to go forward, to discover new things, to achieve progressive development of the fatherland, to defend the homeland in battles and to assert its worthy role in the world," stressed the head of state.
Putin believes that in all these areas, the emperor Peter the Great, whose 350th anniversary is celebrated this year, has special merit. "Peter is rightly called the great reformer, he managed to achieve radical changes in almost all spheres of life, primarily in government, in economic development, in the creation of a powerful, invincible army and navy," said the president.
According to him, "a tremendous breakthrough had been achieved in education, enlightenment, healthcare and culture". The head of state quoted Alexander Pushkin, who wrote about Peter: "An academician, then a hero, then a sailor, then a carpenter, he was an eternal worker with a soul on the throne."
"Peter I, his reforms are still debatable, but it is impossible not to recognize: it was under this ruler, Russia came to the position of a strong, great world power. And today we pay tribute to his powerful personality, integrity of character, unique knowledge, fearlessness and persistence in achieving his goals and, of course, his boundless, active, amazing devotion to our Fatherland," said Putin. He believes that these high feelings of patriotism are inherent in all the awardees.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS