Wedding in the format of an open lesson was held at the RUSSIA EXPO

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Guests of the RUSSIA EXPO saw a unique event — a wedding in the format of an open lesson, the theme of which was friendship, love and family. The wedding ceremony was held under the motto "Enlightenment Connects Hearts."

"Emotions are just off the charts. Such a responsibility isn't given to just everyone. We are very grateful to everyone who had a hand in this event. It was very exciting. But the main thing is that I am behind my husband, as behind a stone wall," shared emotions spouse Maria Kuzmina.

Husband Artem Kulikov shared his wife's delight: "We have a very unusual wedding. We are insanely pleased. It is a great honor for us to be here, at the RUSSIA EXPO, on our most important day in life".

Before the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom were called "to the blackboard" to answer an exam. Maria Kuzmina, a teacher of Russian language and literature at the Polytechnic College in Sovetskiy, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra, the winner of the professional contest "Flagships of Education" 2023, and Artem Kulikov, a senior engineer of the State Fire Supervision Department of the Supervisory Activity and Preventive Work Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra, who were getting married, answered all the questions about friendship and love with dignity.

Maria and Artem met 10 years ago. Artem was engaged in skiing and went to the same section with Maria's friend. A few years later they met again at a mutual acquaintance on his birthday. They were friends for three years, studying in different cities: Artem in Yekaterinburg and Maria in St. Petersburg. In 2020, Artem was sent on assignment to Nizhnevartovsk, Maria used to go to him by plane, and Artem also visited her in St. Petersburg. Soon the young man realized that the girl is the one he wants to tie his life with. He made a marriage proposal, to which Maria happily responded with consent.

"On the site of the International RUSSIA EXPO the President announced the Year of the Family, and today on the Education Day here, this marriage ceremony is held. The wife is a teacher, the husband is a lifeguard. This is a very important union. May everything go well for you. I wish you happiness and patience, which is very important in family life," said Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov congratulating the young people. In addition, he presented the new family with their first common family document — a marriage certificate.

Deputy Director General of the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"» Anastasia Zvyagina in her congratulatory words thanked Maria and Artem for sharing the celebration with the whole RUSSIA EXPO: "Just recently President Vladimir Putin on this very platform declared this year to be the Year of the Family. We lit a symbolic family flame, which we brought from the city of Murom. And the Khanty-Mansi Area was one of the first to bring it to the region. We have had many weddings, but this is the first time we have had such a unique wedding — an open lesson of love and friendship. I hope that many years from now you will also hold an open lesson of love and reveal to newlyweds the secret of a long family life". 

Congratulations from Elena Shumakova, Deputy Governor of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area - Yugra, Sergei Voronov, Director of the Department of Supervisory Activity and Preventive Work of the EMERCOM of Russia, Boris Soloviev, Head of the project "Flagships of Education" of the presidential platform "Russia — Land of Opportunity" were also heard on the stage. For the newlyweds and guests in the hall, the Vocal Ensemble of the Academy of State Emergency Service of the EMERCOM performed a composition about Russia, and the song "Weather in the House" was performed by the Forum of class teachers.

The ceremony was marked by one more solemn event: the presentation of a letter of thanks from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation to Nikolai Zentsov, the artistic director of the concert hall "Amphitheatre" of the All-Russian Center "Orlyonok", and Anna Zentsova, the choreographer of the concert hall "Amphitheatre" of the All-Russian Center "Orlyonok", who recently celebrated the golden jubilee of their life together and devoted 50 years to the cause of education and service in the All-Russian Center "Orlyonok". The Zentsov couple also congratulated the newlyweds.

The International RUSSIA EXPO is the most important achievements of the country gathered in one place. During the whole period of the Exposition, guests will be welcomed with cultural events, a rich business and educational program.