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
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".
