The best families of the country awarded at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 15 October, a solemn award ceremony for the winners of the All-Russian "Family of the Year" contest was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. This event brings together families from different regions of the country, uniting cities, towns, stanitsas and villages with a common thread of spiritual, moral, and family values. This year, winner’s diplomas were presented in six categories: "Large Family", "Young Family", "Rural Family", "Golden Family", "Family – Keeper of Traditions" and "Family of a Defender of the Fatherland".
The first category was named "Family – Keeper of Traditions". It included 20 families with a total of 110 members. These are true guardians of cultural heritage — families that carefully preserve national customs, cultural traditions and historical memory, including nomadic families and professional dynasties.
The award in this category was presented by Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation Anton Kotyakov. He noted that this year, more than ten thousand families took part in the contest. Thanks to the decision made by the President of Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the competition was relaunched and has now become truly large-scale.
"The contest has showcased an incredible diversity of family stories, traditions and achievements that reflect the richness and diversity of our country. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the All-Russian ‘Family of the Year’ contest. Over the past two years alone, more than 20,000 families from all regions of the Russian Federation have taken part. The competition has inspired a series of regional events. And, of course, the winning families — so bright, different and positive — have truly become the face of our family policy and an example to follow," said Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.
The "Family of a Defender of the Fatherland" category brought together 15 families (a total of 98 people, including 68 children), 14 of which are large families. In these families, one or more members are or have been participants in combat operations, including the special military operation. Many of them have successfully returned to civilian life and are actively involved in socially significant projects, volunteer and patriotic movements. These are families in which the memory of military feats, history and civic engagement are intertwined. They serve as an example, showing that being a defender of the country also means being an active citizen — ready to help veterans, organise children’s patriotic events and take part in commemorative initiatives.
The awards in the "Family of a Defender of the Fatherland" category were presented by Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina and Governor of the Astrakhan region Igor Babushkin.
"Today we honour families where the words ‘love’ and ‘duty’ carry special meaning. There is such a profession — to defend the Motherland. But it always begins with the family — with a mother and father, with children growing up in an atmosphere of kindness, loyalty and respect. It is in true traditional family values that the strength of our nation lies. We are especially inspired by families with three, four or five children. They are the true example for all of Russia," said Anastasia Zvyagina.
According to Igor Babushkin, it is highly symbolic that the new category of the "Family of the Year" contest appeared in the year declared by the President of the Russian Federation as the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.
"Many of our families support their heroes and at the same time serve their country by participating in volunteer, public, and patriotic projects. It is a great honour for me to present the well-deserved awards to the winners of this category. Thank you for your example and your constant determination to lead our great Motherland to victory. I wish you all peace, kindness and prosperity," said the Governor of the Astrakhan region.
Eight families were included in the "Golden Family" category, with a total of 24 members. A "Golden Family" is one in which the spouses have been officially married for at least 30 years. They serve as shining examples of family values, the strengthening of intergenerational bonds, civic responsibility, patriotism, and active longevity.
The families honoured in this category received their awards from Lilia Gumerova, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture and Head of the Organising Committee of the All-Russian "Family of the Year" contest. She conveyed greetings to all participants on behalf of Chair of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko and her fellow senators.
"When we reviewed the results, my colleagues and I agreed that this is one of the few contests where there are no losers — you are all winners today! Each year, almost every region of the Russian Federation takes part, and large families now make up 85% of the participants. It is especially moving for me to congratulate the winners in this category. We calculated that the combined marriage experience of the seven laureates totals 388 years!" said Lilia Gumerova.
Another category, "Large Family", featured 22 families totalling 169 people. A "Large Family" is one that is raising or has raised three or more children, including adopted ones. Special attention is given to their active participation in public life and involvement in socially significant events in their district, city or region.
Awards in this category were presented by Deputy Chair of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova. According to her, the well-being of the country and the happiness of every person begin with a strong family. She shared that ten years ago, when the contest was just starting in the regions, her own family took part in it — back then, she had four children, not seven.
"I am truly happy to see how this contest grows, how it reaches a nationwide scale, how it overcomes the impossible, moves forward and tells the story of what really matters — our country’s greatest achievement: our wonderful families. I am honoured to present awards to Russia’s large families," she said.
The "Rural Family" category included 14 families, uniting 81 people. These families live in rural areas and are the backbone of their communities, achieving success in work, raising children, sports and creativity, and actively participating in local public life.
The winners in the "Rural Family" category received their awards from Maria Lvova-Belova, Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights. She stressed that families are Russia’s greatest pride.
"Our country has always relied on the countryside — on people who work the land and contribute to the development of the Motherland. The list of winners includes remarkable dynasties of reindeer herders, artisans and people who have established farms. Moreover, they are raising many children: across the 14 families, there are 63 children. That is a great source of pride," said Maria Lvova-Belova.
The "Young Family" category featured 10 families, totalling 57 people, where the spouses are under 35 and are raising one or more children, including adopted ones. Special attention is given to these families’ active involvement in public, professional and creative activities, their passion for sports and their commitment to a healthy lifestyle — demonstrating a harmonious balance between family values and social responsibility.
The 10 families in the "Young Family" category were honoured by Nina Ostanina, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood and Childhood: "Today I have been entrusted with a great mission — to honour the young families of Russia. Yes, these are the best, the boldest, the most determined families. We hope that the number of large families in Russia — now 2.7 million — will continue to grow. May the ‘Large Family’ category know no limits, and may there be a long queue to take this stage."
The annual All-Russian "Family of the Year" contest is being held for the tenth time. It is organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation, the Foundation for Supporting Children in Difficult Life Situations, and the executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Event photobank
The head of the region presented the development strategy of the Area up to 2030.
