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.
The event will feature a presentation of a collection of essays written by participants of the international project "Open Dialogue: The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth."