The city of Staraya Russa, Novgorod region, was awarded the status of the new capital of the "Silver Necklace of Russia" at the RUSSIA EXPO

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A solemn ceremony of handing over the transition title of the capital within the framework of the national tourism project "Silver Necklace of Russia" was held at the RUSSIA EXPO. In 2024, it became the city of the Novgorod region Staraya Russa.

"Silver Necklace of Russia" is an interregional historical, cultural and tourist project created in 2012 on the initiative of the President of Russia. It includes a complex of tourist routes uniting historical settlements, regional centers and cities of the Northwestern Russia. The tradition to annually assign the transitional status of the capital of the "Silver Necklace of Russia" appeared in 2020.

"We all think that the North has only rain and mosquitoes. But that's not true, the North is a Russian fairy tale: fair, beautiful, kind! The future is behind the Russian North, and we all feel it today. Many thanks to the governors of the regions of the Northwest for the bold desire to win and for the victory!" said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the RUSSIA EXPO.

Alexander Gutsan, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District, addressed the participants of the event with a welcoming speech.

"The Northwestern Federal District has many achievements in the social, industrial sphere. Our pride is the "Silver Necklace of Russia" project, created on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin and affecting all subjects. During this time, it can be considered accomplished, and there is no doubt that there will be even more people willing to come to the North-West," said Alexander Gutsan.

The head of the Novgorod region Andrei Nikitin noted the special historical and cultural significance of the Novgorod region.

"We live in a great big country. But in order to understand what it means to be a Russian person, one should come to the homeland of Russia - to the Novgorod region. This is the place where we emerged as a nation, where we had our first victories, where we had our first enlighteners, where we had our first and very important cultural events, cultural sites like St. Sophia Cathedral, like the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek. This is the place where, as our President said, everything began. And, of course, Staraya Russa is a part of this grand, great history of our country," said Andrei Nikitin.

In turn, the Governor of the Arkhangelsk region Alexander Tsybulsky reminded that the capital of the "Silver Necklace" in 2023 was the city of Solvychegodsk. 

"Solvychegodsk is a unique town, for me it is one of my favorite points on the map of the Arkhangelsk region. It was very important and gratifying for me that this town was the center of our attention, the center of attracting tourists during the year. And it really deserves it," emphasized Alexander Tsybulsky.

At the end of the event, the symbol was officially handed over to the capital of the "Silver Necklace of Russia".