President of Russia: Dmitry Medvedev about the National Unity Day

“The National Unity Day – is the youngest but still one of the most important national holidays of Russia”, remarked the President of the Russian Federation D. A. Medvedev at the ceremonial reception in Kremlin. The Head of the State reminded that that holiday was established 5 years ago in the honour of the heroic history of Russia and in commemoration of genuine feat of Russian people. He emphasized that in 1612 “Russian people were unified by love for their Motherland, the desire for freedom and the responsibility for their country’s future”. "For hundreds of years these values have helped our people to challenge the extreme hardships, achieve success and win", - stressed the President during the ceremonial reception.

D. A. Medvedev remarked that keeping up the tradition among the participants of the reception there were representatives of non-governmental organizations, national-cultural and religious associations. These are people whose authority and active civil position contribute to fortification of civil society, social stability and cross-cultural unanimity in Russia.

"People have liberated themselves due to their own efforts. This is a very special date in the history of our country, and today we celebrate the holiday – the National Unity Day, and also the blessed– the feast day for our Lady of Kazan", - added D. A. Medvedev.

The President expressed confidence that “such events do unity us up to the present day, let us consider that we are genuinely the united nation – the nation which is able to overcome the most serious problem, the nation which managed to defeat the enemy, the nation which suffered hardships, but remained courageous". According to D. A. Medvedev, the Prince Pozharsky has proved these words. "And in the time of the volunteer corps and later for a long time he had been serving for the Russian State and his countrymen", - stressed the President. "I would like to congratulate you with all my heart on our national holiday – the National Unity Day and wish you all health, strengths, and happiness. Congratulations", - said D. A. Medvedev.