Penza, 14 September 2013. PenzaNews. The official ceremony dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the city was held on Lenin Square in Penza on Saturday evening, September 14. The event was opened by the Presidential Orchestra of the Russian Federation, as well as the ceremonial march with the flags of the Russian Federation, the Penza region and the city of Penza.

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The representative of Russian president in the Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich addressed to the residents of the city with a congratulatory message of president Vladimir Putin.

“This anniversary is a good reason to turn to the bright pages in the history of the city, noting its important contribution to the strengthening of the industrial and agricultural potential of the country, in the development of national culture, science and education. And of course, the minds of the people will always retain the names of your famous countrymen — prominent scientists, writers, military leaders, artists, who brought fame to Penza and Russia leaving the rich artistic legacy, as well as heroic and labor accomplishments,” Mikhail Babich quoted the telegram of the president of the Russian Federation.

On his own behalf, the representative of Russian president in the Volga Federal District added that within the 350 years history Penza city-fortress turned into one of the cultural centers of the country.

“We love Penza, are proud of it, and will do everything so it flourished,” he said.

Also, the chairman of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin congratulated Penza residents on the anniversary.

“This wonderful celebration is of great importance for the whole country, because the history of Penza is woven in the history of our state,” he explained.

Sergei Naryshkin also noted that Penza residents do a lot to contribute to science, arts, education and sports.

“The organizing committee and the city has been preparing for this celebration for a long time. Penza changes, becomes more cozy. It is important that this development continues after the anniversary. I wish prosperity to Penza, and well-being to its people,” he speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation concluded.

The governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev also drew attention to the significant transformation of the city over 350 years.

“It is home to wonderful, hard-working people. During the Great Patriotic War, the Penza region sent to the front 300 million people, two-thirds of whom did not return, but the people found the strength and restored the city economy. This could happen only in Russia,” the head of the region said.

He addressed the words of gratitude to the builders, farmers, teachers, doctors and cultural workers of Penza.

“Thanks to your work, present Penza is a nice and cozy city where you actually want to live,” Vasily Bochkarev noted.

In addition, the governor thanked the Russian president Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and the chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 350th anniversary of the city, the State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin.

At the end of the official part Vasily Bochkarev presented honorary and gratitude certificates to particularly distinguished citizens for hard work and significant contribution to the socio-economic development, then mayor Yuri Alpatov awarded him with order of honorary citizen of Penza.