A poetic image of unity presented at the National Centre RUSSIA by writer Natalia Urbanskaya

The unity of the peoples of Russia is not limited to family or friendly ties, but extends to everyone. This vision of the thematic year was presented by Natalia Urbanskaya, a writer, member of the Federation of Cultural and Arts Figures, and lecturer at the Russian society Znanie, during a meeting of the Literary Club "What to Read?!" at the National Centre RUSSIA.

"Unity is, above all, love within a family. And Russia is one big family. Regardless of nationality, we are all people and share the same nature <…> Since our country is united and multinational, I believe that love for the Fatherland is when a mother sings a lullaby in her native language to a child in the father’s home. And outside the window, a birch tree, a fir tree, or a palm tree waves to him. And that is also unity," said Natalia Urbanskaya.

According to her, a vivid image of national unity in a multinational Russia is a place where the language, traditions, and culture of all its peoples are respected without limits, carefully preserved, and passed on to younger generations.

The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, announced the launch of the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia at the National Centre RUSSIA during the "Russia — a Family of Families" marathon. The large-scale event brought together more than 4,000 participants — representatives of over 190 peoples of the country, schoolchildren, students, and international guests.