The All-Russian Family Forum Dear - Loved Ones opened at the RUSSIA EXPO

The All-Russian Family Forum Dear - Loved Ones was launched at the RUSSIA EXPO on January 19. It became the first official event of the Year of Family in Russia.

The forum was opened by an open-air concert. The symbolic thread of continuity of generations on one stage was passed to each other by performers Stas More, ST, Zhan Milimerov, Alexey Goman, the Choir of the First and families participating in the forum.

The musical part of the concert was based on well-known songs, which were sung together with the artists not only by the youngest guests of the forum, but also by their parents and grandparents.

More than 1000 people - large families, foster families, professional dynasties, families from new regions and national republics, as well as families of veterans of the SMO and heroes of Russia - participated in the special program of the forum.

Grigory Gurov, Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First, noted that a strong family is one of the core values of the Movement.

"That is why during 2023 the family community Dear - Loved Ones was formed from active families whose children participate in the Movement. The Dear - Loved Ones Forum, which we launched today, will be the starting event of the Year of the Family in Russia, a space for dialog between generations, joint creativity of children and adults. It will allow to present the achievements of the regions of our country through the prism of the achievements of families, family traditions and values," said Grigory Gurov.

The Gritsenko family with many children came to the forum from the town of Zarechny, Penza region. They have some of the most important memories of VDNH for their family. Twenty-four years ago, the wedding journey of Elena and Alexander Gritsenko began here. Here the young wife also informed her husband that they would have a son. Therefore, the Gritsenko family is twice as pleased that the forum Dear - Loved Ones is held in such an important place for them.

"The forum is a place of meetings and acquaintances, family friendship will definitely start here. We believe in this wholeheartedly. Wherever we are: at competitions, festivals, in addition to warmth in our hearts and unforgettable emotions, we bring friendship with families from different regions of our beloved Russia from there, and this is very valuable. After all, when families of different nationalities, religions, with different numbers of children become friends, it is priceless. Looking at us, taking an example from us, our children will become friends, and friendship is an art. We are waiting for a sea of positive emotions, a sea of smiles and warm hugs, acquisition of new knowledge and skills!" said Elena Gritsenko.

The Gritsenko family are representatives of a dynasty of firefighters, which counts five generations. Another tradition of the family is having many children. Alexander and Elena are raising four children and hope that one of them will also become a firefighter.

The Sergienko-Yeliseyev family from the Lugansk People's Republic has given almost half a century to teaching. Marina Sergienko works as a history and social studies teacher, and her husband Vasily Yeliseyev is now in the SMO zone. They have five children in their family, go to a children's art school and are actively involved in the Movement of Firsts. The Forum was a great opportunity for them to showcase their talents.

"We came to the forum with a great mood, charged with positive attitude. In my opinion, the importance of this event is great, as we will be able to get acquainted with different families, learn from their life experience, and get to know families of different nationalities and their culture. At the forum we will be able to show that our family is really a true friendly team," said Marina Sergienko.

Her children sing in the Choir of the Firsts and during the forum they will perform an author's song We are the First!, which was composed by children from new regions of Russia.

During the forum, which will last until January 23 inclusive, families will have to participate in competitive programs where representatives of all generations will be able to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and talents. In addition, workshops, interactive lectures and an educational program from the Russian Society "Knowledge" are planned.

The participants will enjoy a series of educational events in which representatives of famous families and professional dynasties will share their intergenerational experience.

On January 22, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Tatyana Golikova and heads of relevant ministries and agencies will present their projects for the Year of the Family, which were developed following the instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The announcement of the Year of the Family by the head of state was a response to the public demand. For Russians, the family is a fundamental value and the most important social institution, and a multigenerational bond based on common values guarantees stable and fruitful development of society and the entire country.

The forum is organized by the Movement of the First, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation (Mintrud of Russia), the Russian Society "Knowledge" and the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"» with the support of the Ministry of Education of Russia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, the Ministry of Culture of Russia, the Ministry of Sport of Russia, the Ministry of Health of Russia and the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA Russia). The event's partners are Sber, Russian Railways, state corporations Rosatom and Roscosmos, Lukoil, Gazprom, VK and other companies.