Penza, 12 December 2014. PenzaNews. The opening ceremony of the memorial plaque “Stupeni” on the building of Penza gymnasium No. 4, dedicated to the famous polar explorer Evgeny Suzyumov, was held on Friday, December 12. The solemn event was attended by the authorities, non-governmental organizations, historians, as well as teachers and students.

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According to Sergei Pulikovsky, deputy chairman of the regional government, the opening of the memorial plaque is a tribute not only to the specific person, but to a whole generation of researchers.

“Our ill-wishers cannot sleep soundly because of our earth riches they had found, and now Russia is actively mining these riches for our country to rise and develop,” he said.

In his turn, Igor Pantyusha, chairman of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), read a letter from Alexei Suzyumov, the son of the polar explorer, who is currently living in Paris and working as a UNESCO consultant to the United Nations.

“Dear friends! Today, on the opening day of the memorial plaque to my father Evgeny Matveev Suzyumov, I want to express my gratitude to the Penza branch of the RGS, as well as the government of the region, Penza city, and the directorate of gymnasium No. 4 for their support of the proposal. Evgeny Suzyumov remembered his school and teachers fondly, he rightly believed that it was they who gave him the necessary basic knowledge. I appeal to the students of gymnasium No. 4, their parents, teachers and residents of Penza — friends, love your Little Motherland and our large common homeland, study it, make it stronger. To do that, we need thorough and deep knowledge, skills, and perseverance. During my 30-year diplomatic work at the UN I’ve learned that it people listen to those who are strong. And one more thing — everyone of us can make a small leap forward, but together you will achieve more. I wish you all success — for each in his own field,” Igor Pantyusha quoted the letter from Alexei Suzyumov.

He also donated a book about Suzyumov’s family to the school museum on behalf of the son of the polar explorer.