Penza, 12 June 2015. PenzaNews. A public rally dedicated to the celebration of Russia Day and City Day on Friday, June 12, took place at Lenina square in Penza.

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The event under the title “We Have One Fatherland, Russia!” began with a dance flashmob followed by a speech by the acting Penza region governor Ivan Belozertsev.

“This day unites all citizens of Russia, all patriots who remember and honor our ancient history, our famed military traditions,” added the head of the region.

He expressed his gratitude to those people who worked on improving the city and making it more beautiful, as well as to those who are currently helping the region develop and prosper.

Ivan Belozertsev also took an opportunity to use the official part of the event to reward the most distinguished citizens of the region.

In particular, the chairman of the Penza branch for the Soldiers’ Search Movement of Russia Larisa Kazakova received the medal “For Merit in Immortalizing the Memory of Defenders of the Fatherland,” while several other members of the organization also received awards.

Moreover, the city authorities also held an award ceremony for the medal “Patriot of Russia.” Among those who received the award were Yuri Semenov, deputy head of the Penza Region Federal Penitentiary Service Department; Kirill Zastrozhny, director of the Penza Savitsky Picture Gallery; and Dmitry Murashov, academic secretary of the Lermontov Regional Library.

Also, Sergei Alchin, the director of school No. 74, was awarded the title of the honored citizen of Penza, as he had led the construction works of a classic school for 1,176 students in 1992 that presently acts as a social and cultural complex of the Zaprudny city neighborhood.

After the acting governor, the head of the city Victor Kuvaytsev and the mayor Yuri Krivov also spoke to the citizens.

Victor Kuvaytsev thanked the people for helping develop the municipality.

“I wish you good health, belief in the future, peace and kindness. May the words ‘We are the Russians’ and ‘We are from Penza’ be the words of pride for every single one of you,” he said.

In his turn, Yuri Krivov asked the Penza residents to help their neighbors and respect each other.

“This will make Penza more beautiful, splendid and full of nice people,” he stressed.

An honored guest of the event was Alexander Samokutyaev, a Russian cosmonaut and the Hero of Russia who was born in the city.

“We will be the best town on the planet, I believe in it. I tell everybody that Penza is Penza, and you won’t find any other city of this kind,” the spacefarer said.