Couple from the National Centre RUSSIA to take part in the grand wedding ceremony at the III All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts"

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An employee of the National Centre RUSSIA and his sweetheart will marry at the III All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts". They will join more than 100 couples from across the country in a simultaneous wedding ceremony. The large-scale celebration will take place on 8 July, the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow.

Pavel Zhukov and Natalia Gladysheva met online. Their relationship began with virtual conversations before they met in person, grew closer and fell in love. Pavel works in the administrative department of the National Centre RUSSIA, and Natalia has often accompanied him there to expositions, celebrations and guided tours. In their free time, the couple enjoy walking around Moscow, playing sports, cooking delicious meals and watching films together. They also cherish gathering with relatives around the festive table, continuing a tradition passed down from their parents and grandparents.

Three years ago, Pavel proposed to Natalia. A year ago, they attended the II All-Russian Wedding Festival as guests, and the scale, beauty and solemn atmosphere of the event left a lasting impression on them. Inspired by that experience, the couple decided to unite their own destinies on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity at the National Centre RUSSIA.

"Our wedding marks the beginning of a new, small family, while Russia itself is one great family of families made up of people like us — sincere, kind and loving each other. The Wedding Festival at the National Centre RUSSIA vividly reflects this through its unique character and the participation of couples from all corners of the country. It is wonderful that, on our wedding day, we have the opportunity to unite with other couples and begin our family life feeling part of great mother Russia and drawing strength from love," Pavel and Natalia shared.

This year, the All-Russian Wedding Festival is expanding its horizons. Alongside couples from across Russia, international and foreign couples will also say "I do" at the National Centre RUSSIA.

The highlight of the first day's programme, on 8 July, will be the simultaneous wedding ceremony bringing together couples from across the country. The celebration will be enhanced by the transfer of the flame from the "Heart of Russia" All-Russian Family Hearth. Newlyweds will receive a portion of the flame from couples married at previous festivals. The flame originates from Murom, the city associated with Saints Peter and Fevronia, the patrons of marriage and family life.

On the second day, 9 July, newlyweds, their guests and everyone wishing to join the celebration of love will be invited to attend educational lectures, as well as a gastronomic and musical programme, and guided tours of the expositions organised and operated by the National Centre RUSSIA: "Journey Across Russia" and "Geography Lessons". Everyone who shares family values and is interested in wedding traditions may register on the National Centre RUSSIA website to participate in the festival's educational programme.

One of the key events of the second day will be the "Khorovod. Wedding" celebration — a symbol of unity, strong bonds and readiness to extend a helping hand to others. Khorovod is a traditional circle dance, beloved in Russia for generations, and it will bring together all festival participants.

The festival is organised by the National Centre RUSSIA in partnership with the Moscow Government and the Moscow Civil Registry Office.