Nizhny Novgorod marked National Unity Day

"The civil feat of the militia, our common victories will give us the strength to unite for the sake of our own happiness and prosperity of the beloved Motherland," Valery Shantsev said. On November 4, 2012 ​​the Popular Unity Square of Nizhny Novgorod became the place for celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the feat of the Nizhny Novgorod militia. The square became the place for the sacred procession, festive columns of members of student unions and the participants of the Mininsky Conscription.

Nizhny Novgorod Governor Valery Shantsev also read the congratulatory telegram from President Vladimir Putin and delivered a speech to several thousands of Nizhny Novgorod residents.

"Today's celebrations are based on strong historical grounds. This is a unique example of the demonstration of the will of the people, its civic maturity and responsibility. A small island of freedom led by Nizhny Novgorod managed to unite the forces devoted to native land. Today, we are more than ever convinced that the feat of the civil militia, our common victories will give us the strength to unite for the sake of our own happiness and prosperity of the beloved Motherland," said the head of the region.

Guests of the festival watched the theatrical prologue "For the Russian Land, for Moscow." The show was devoted to historical events of the early 17th century. Special production elements were built for the eight-minute theatrical presentation.

As part of the ceremony, a column of soldiers laid flowers to the monument to Minin and Pozharsky. World-famous ensemble of bells "Bells of Russia" took part in the program. On the Popular Unity Square, the artists performed the music of Russian tolling bells on a specially installed bell tower.

"Today, when we turn our face to history, we first of all think that every generation has its own problems and tasks. We have problems today too, but of course, they are different from those that used to be. However, we are able to solve them if we unite. All together we open our future these days. We opened the subway that was built by thousands of people, we opened the left-bank and right-bank approaches to the metro bridge that connects different parts of the city. We opened the sports and health center. This is a repetition of the long journey that our ancestors had 400 years ago," said Valery Shantsev.

Nizhny Novgorod is the capital of National Unity Day celebrations in Russia.