Penza, 4 November 2017. PenzaNews. The rally-concert "Russia Unites", which was held in V.I. Lenin square, became one of the central events on the National Unity Day, which was celebrated on Thursday, November 4.

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Its participants entered the square in two columns represented by four areas of Penza – the Leninsky, Zheleznodorozhny, Pervomaysky and Oktyabrsky ones.

The column that went from the direction of the drama theatre was headed by the governor Ivan Belozertsev, senator Oleg Melnichenko, Penza mayor Victor Kuvaytsev and other officials. Subsequently, they took seats not on the stage but among common residents.

There were many flags in the square including those bearing symbols of the United Russia faction and banners of local enterprises.

Presenters of the rally shortly reminded Penza citizens the history of the holiday and drew attention to the fact that the National Unity Day acquired a special meaning "under the conditions of an unstable world order", "when politics is based on contradictions" and "when one country sometimes dictates terms to the whole world".

The deputy of the Russian State Duma Ivan Firyulin was the first speaker who was given the floor.

"I am glad that we are here today, in this square, to celebrate two holidays. All of us are celebrating the day of union and unity. Orthodox Christians, who make up the majority in Russia and the Penza region, are celebrating another big holiday [the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God]," he noted.

Ivan Firyulin wished that all shocks were left behind and Russia lived in peace and goodness.

In turn, the teacher from Mokshan Anna Makarova, who had won a regional stage of the contest "Teacher of the Year", expressed the opinion that a relatively young holiday had become truly popular.

"It was on this day in 1612 that our ancestors managed to defend their right for freedom and independence near the Kremlin walls — they managed because they were united," she said.

The teacher of the Russian language and literature added that unity had always been and remained the main national idea of Russian.

"It is important to maintain respect for the culture of people of different faiths, different beliefs, speaking different languages but living in one large and great country," she stressed.

In addition, the chairman of the association "Derzhava" Oleg Shibaev, the participants of the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students Maria Romanenko and Vitaly Lukin, the winner of the regional contest "Best in profession", mechanization expert Anton Pustovalov, and the school pupil of the 10th grade of school No. 42 Elizaveta Kushnareva were among those who also turned to Penza residents.

The event was followed by a concert. After the beginning, many participants of the meeting left.