Programme for the preparation of celebrations of the Kaliningrad region's 80th anniversary presented at the National Centre RUSSIA

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A meeting of the Organising Committee for the preparation and celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Kaliningrad region was held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 30 March. Representatives of federal and regional authorities took part in the event. The programme for the preparation and celebrations was presented by the Governor of the Kaliningrad region, Alexei Besprozvannykh.

On 10 March 2025, President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, signed Decree No. 135 regarding the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Kaliningrad region in 2026. In line with this document, an organising committee was established and a plan for celebratory events was developed.

"Today, the Kaliningrad region has definitely become the tourist capital of Russia. People from all regions of our country come for the International Classical Music Festival 'Kantata', for gastronomic festivals, and simply to see the unique nature and architecture of the Kaliningrad region. During the preparations for the 80th anniversary, in accordance with the President's instruction, we initially agreed on the following approach: on the one hand, the 80th anniversary is, of course, a tribute to the history of the liberation of the Kaliningrad region and the region's revival after the Great Patriotic War. On the other hand, it is an opportunity to show how the Kaliningrad region lives today. Present day achievements are very important, but it is also crucial not to forget the veterans, including veterans of the Great Patriotic War, the special military operation, and labour veterans, who contributed to the region's revival. The celebrations are also aimed at the younger generation: they are about development and the future of the Kaliningrad region," said Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation.

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, noted that, in addition to the financial support for the anniversary celebrations, it is important to engage all administrative resources: "Last May, we discussed the basic concept and key milestones for celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Kaliningrad region. Since then, the region has done extensive work to flesh out and detail a very broad programme of celebrations. This programme is rich in cultural, educational, and social events, and also involves the implementation of several landmark infrastructure projects. Many capital-intensive tasks, thanks to the efforts of the governor and my colleagues in the Government, have been included in federal programmes. Certain areas still need funding, and sponsors to provide it. Work in this direction is also organised, and today the results will be reflected in the signing of several agreements with major companies and corporations. This is an important step towards ensuring the legacy of the anniversary programme is substantial and tangible."

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Tatyana Golikova, speaking about the significance of the Kaliningrad region's anniversary, drew attention not only to the historical context but also to the region's modern achievements, emphasising its sustainable development and strategic role.

"The celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Kaliningrad region for us is not only a federal-level event, but also an opportunity to give a new impetus to the region's development: to showcase its tourism potential; draw attention to the most important historical events; and above all, to remind everyone of the inviolability of the outcomes of the Great Patriotic War and the inadmissibility of attempts to rewrite history. These days, more than a million of our fellow citizens live in the Kaliningrad region. Over the past five years, the population of the Kaliningrad region has grown by 1.4%. The President and the Government have been doing everything necessary to ensure that the region develops dynamically, and that people find it comfortable and interesting to live, study, work, and, of course, raise children here. Despite existing sanctions, the region demonstrates economic stability. But the region's main wealth is its people. It’s the generation of Kaliningraders who restored the war-ravaged region and, in our own day, are making this western outpost of Russia a territory of stability, prosperity, and an integral part of our country. Our key task is to ensure the region develops and its residents feel comfortable here," noted Tatyana Golikova.

The region's renewal programme includes over 500 projects, among which are infrastructure and improvement ones, while the events programme includes over 450 ones.

"The changes will affect all 22 municipalities of the region, which are reflected in the '80–85' infrastructure transformation programme, developed together with the region's residents. Its key task is to ensure even development across the entire territory of the Kaliningrad region. The programme features more than 500 specific infrastructure and municipal improvement projects. Most of them are already funded, and some are already being implemented," noted Alexei Besprozvannykh.

The programme includes the construction of social facilities, the reconstruction of utilities, the overhaul of roads, and the renewal of urban transport. Importantly, this work has long moved beyond the planning stage – projects are already integrated into existing federal and regional programmes, most are funded, and many are already being implemented.

The total funding amounts to at least 30 billion roubles annually, including about seven billion roubles for the improvement of territories in municipalities.

The governor noted that more than 90% of the initiatives proposed by residents were taken into account and included in the programme of events and infrastructure changes.

For example, Alexei Besprozvannykh spoke about plans to build a branch of the National Centre RUSSIA. According to him, it will become a symbol of the region's public and cultural core. The complex is planned to be located on a 12-hectare site where the House of Soviets once stood. The building project covers 47,000 square metres, and also involves the creation of a 10-hectare landscape park "Russia". These will be large exposition and public spaces, including a forum, an amphitheatre, and modern transport infrastructure. The branch of the National Centre will be able to accommodate up to 3.5 million visitors per year.

The integrated urban space improvement project also covers the Central Park of Culture and Recreation in Kaliningrad; the reconstruction of the "Baltika" stadium, while preserving its historical legacy and developing its sporting function; and the relaunch of the Amber Manufactory as a cultural and educational centre. The pedestrian bridge to Kant Island, which enhances the connectivity of urban spaces and tourist routes, is of particular significance.

As part of the region's anniversary celebrations project, special attention is being paid to social support for veterans who contributed to the development of the Kaliningrad region. Among the targeted measures are payments to veterans who took part in the region’s development in the amount of 30,000 roubles, the "Care and Attention" campaign involving on-site checks of living conditions and provision of assistance, as well as systematic, targeted support on an ongoing basis. Separate support measures are being provided to families of participants in the special military operation.