The results of the Year of the Family were summed up at the National Centre RUSSIA

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On December 26, at the site of the National Centre RUSSIA, a pre-New Year ceremony was held to sum up the results of the Year of the Family — "Year of the Family. Continuation." The event was held under the slogan "Roads to the future — with love along the way."

The Year of the Family was launched in January 2024 by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at the International RUSSIA EXPO. In his speech, the President emphasized that strengthening the well-being of families is a national priority. A welcome address from the head of state on the occasion of the conclusion of the thematic year was read by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, the Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee for holding the Year of the Family in the Russian Federation, Tatyana Golikova.

"Today, the National Centre RUSSIA warmly welcomes forum participants — large families and entire working dynasties, winners of the All-Russian contests 'Family of the Year' and 'This Runs in Our Family', families of veterans of the Special Military Operation from different regions of the country; those who, through their life experience, deeply understand the great, enduring value of the family hearth, foundations, and traditions passed down from generation to generation. It is in the home circle that a child's personality and worldview are largely formed, laying such unshakable moral guidelines as caring for others, for one's children and parents, love for the Motherland, and a sense of involvement in its destiny," the address states.

Tatyana Golikova added that, by general estimates, the Year of the Family has become the most recognizable, emotional, and touching of all thematic years held in the Russian Federation. According to her, this was made possible by the direct participation of Russian families in the events held throughout the year.

"Your emotions, your work, your love, your pain for your neighbor, for those around us, your love for those who work and fight on the frontline, for those who await them at home. This has greatly united all of us. And it gives us the ability to achieve the results we would like to present to you today. I will not enumerate the many decisions that have been made and will be made. But it is very important that the Year of the Family doesn’t end. And it is very important for our Russian families to grow stronger and more numerous. Sincerely, with all my heart, I congratulate you on your existence, and on the upcoming New Year," stated Tatyana Golikova. 

The ceremony was attended by families who got married at the RUSSIA EXPO, winners of the contest "This Runs in Our Family," families of participants in the SMO, as well as working dynasties from all over the country.

"Both the opening of the Year of the Family and the ceremonial closing were not coincidentally first held at the RUSSIA EXPO, where, by the President's decision, everything our country is proud of was gathered, and now at the National Centre RUSSIA, created following the Exposition, whose mission is precisely to collect and showcase to the citizens and guests of our country everything we are truly proud of. Indeed, Russian families are a true source of pride for our entire country. Remember how our President said that a large family with many children is the image of Russia's future. You are that image of the future. Thank you so much for the inspiration you provide with your personal example," said the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, Sergei Kiriyenko. 

Warm words to Russian families, representatives of working dynasties, and winners of the "Family of the Year" contest were addressed by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation, Anton Kotyakov.

"Our parents, guiding us through life, pass on their skills, expertise, and love for the profession to which they have dedicated their entire lives — it is at this moment that working dynasties are born, the foundation of Russia's labor glory, the embodiment of professionalism and the ability to pass on what we are proud of and what we know from generation to generation. Congratulations to everyone on the upcoming New Year, and I invite everyone to participate in the tenth 'Family of the Year' contest, which will take place next year," said Anton Kotyakov.

For the event's guests, performances were given by Polina Gagarina, Pelageya, Tatyana Kurtukova, the Uma2rman band, Hibla Gerzmava, and other stars. The ceremony was hosted by rapper ST (Alexander Stepanov) and singer Assol, who have been happily married for almost 10 years and have two children. One of the most striking moments of the concert program was the performance of singer Irina Dubtsova, accompanied by the Choir of the Movement of the First. She performed her original song "The Most Important Thing is Family," recognized as the official anthem of the past year. 

"We are representatives of a working dynasty of melon growers. I think nearly everyone has at some point tried a yellow watermelon. Thanks to our dynasty, these watermelons came into existence. We created the world's first hypoallergenic watermelon with white flesh, suitable even for infants. We are the winners of the All-Russian 'Family of the Year' contest, and recently our little Verochka was born, and we became a large family," said Artem Sokolov, the head of the family representing the working dynasties.

"For us, the word 'family' is sacred. I would like to share some of the meanings we attribute to this concept. For a sailor, family is not only the people who raised him but also the crew that becomes his family. Additionally, family is a small church where we learn to keep the faith of our fathers, learn to love our Motherland, and where we return for unconditional love and support," said Konstantin Aksenov, Captain Second Rank and participant in the Presidential program 'Time of Heroes', surrounded by his family. 

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow. The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.