Day of Family, Love and Fidelity at the National Centre RUSSIA

On 8 July, Russia celebrates the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, a holiday timed to coincide with the feast day of the Russian Orthodox saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom. For many centuries, their marriage has been regarded as a model of marital fidelity, mutual respect and devotion, while the date itself has become a symbol of the values on which a strong and happy family is built and preserved. On this day, celebrations are held across the country, long-married couples are honoured and, of course, newlyweds are congratulated.

The National Centre RUSSIA does more than simply join in these congratulations. For several years now, it has also become the main venue for one of the most significant, beautiful and touching events of the summer — the All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts". During these days, couples in love from across the country formalise their marriages simultaneously at the National Centre RUSSIA. Here, in one space, the destinies of people from different regions are intertwined.

In 2026, the geography of the event expanded: ceremonies as part of the third festival will be held not only in Moscow, but also at regional branches of the National Centre RUSSIA. In addition, international and foreign couples will take part in the large-scale celebration of the birth of a family. All this shows that genuine family values serve as one of the main starting points for bringing together people with different traditions and cultures.

A special place in the extensive programme of the III All-Russian Wedding Festival, which will be held at the National Centre RUSSIA from 8 to 9 July, will be given to the ceremony of passing on the symbolic flame of the All-Russian Family Hearth "Heart of Russia". This flame was brought from the ancient city of Murom, where Saints Peter and Fevronia lived. The tradition of passing on the flame began at the International RUSSIA EXPO, where on 23 January 2024 the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, launched the Year of the Family. On that day, a ceremonial lighting of the hearth was held at the EXPO. Since it was first passed on, the flame has travelled a total distance of more than 150,000 kilometres and now brings family warmth to several hundred couples from different parts of the country. This year, in keeping with tradition, the newlyweds will receive symbolic lamps from couples who were married at last year's festival. This warm tradition links generations and teaches couples in love that a wedding ceremony is not only a beautiful celebration, but also the beginning of a long journey that must be undertaken with full responsibility for our shared future.

The Day of Family, Love and Fidelity reminds us that family is the main source of support in everyone's life, a space where our hearts learn to be truly loving, sensitive, patient, generous and caring. May love, warmth and mutual understanding always reign in your homes. Happy holiday!