Penza, 3 February 2017. PenzaNews. The main value and pride of the Penza region are its residents. Such opinion was expressed by the head of the region Ivan Belozertsev during the solemn event dedicated to the 78th anniversary of the formation of the Penza region, which was held in the governor's house on Friday, February 3.

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 "78 years ago our region became independent, which let it develop dynamically and add new achievements of the residents to their previous ones. As it has already been said, people were and still remain the main value of our Sura land. It is the people who make up its glory and pride. Names of hundreds of people born in the Penza region were written in golden letters in the chronicles of the world history, the history of the Russian State and the history of the Sura land," the governor said.

He emphasized that despite the difficult economic situation in the country, the Penza region shows positive dynamics.

"We open new factories, implement large investment projects in various sectors of the economy. [...] I know and believe that together with leaders and our residents we are able to solve all issues that we face in all spheres of life," Ivan Belozertsev noted.

In turn, the head of the Legislative Assembly of the Penza region Valery Lidin recalled the names of those who glorified the region at different times and added that the new generation continues the established traditions.

"Nowadays, this holiday is another demonstration of respect for the honoured traditions of our residents and workers. It is a good basis for unity and rallying around the policy that is conducted nowadays to restore agriculture, industry and other spheres of the national economy," he said

Several exhibitions were organized within the framework of the grand event including the exhibition "My dear fellow-citizens", which demonstrated photos of famous natives of Penza as well as works of Penza artists and photographers.

In addition, literature and poetical marathon, which started with the poem of Matrena Smirnova "Walk along the Penza region", was organized in the governor's house. It was recited by Ivan Belozertsev, Valery Lidin, and head of the regional Department of Culture and Archive Tatyana Kurdova. After that, it was the turn of the audience: everyone could recite favourite poems dedicated to the native land.

The grand event finished by taking a photo of those present.