In Dolgoprudny, Moscow region, at the site of the P.L. Kapitsa Phystech Lyceum Technopark, the grand opening of the Rossotrudnichestvo Route of Courage project took place.: from tradition to technology." 50 young descendants of Cossacks from Abkhazia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Serbia, Uzbekistan and France came to Russia. They will have educational excursions and get acquainted with the culture, traditions and modern life of the Russian Cossacks.
On behalf of Dmitry Mironov, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Council for the Cossacks, Alexey Kirichenko, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Civil Service, Personnel and Anti-Corruption, Executive Secretary of the Presidential Council for the Cossacks, delivered a welcoming address. "Our country is a space of constructive dialogue between cultures, science and education. Historically, the Russian Cossacks have been a link in this dialogue and today they are contributing to its deepening. You represent different countries, but you are united by a common historical memory," said Alexey Kirichenko.
Ataman of the All-Russian Cossack Society Vitaly Kuznetsov presented a rich educational program to the participants.
At the opening ceremony, the guests were also welcomed by the executive Secretary of the Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks, rector of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Zayatsky, Moscow, Priest Timofey Chaikin. Addressing the young Cossacks and Cossack women, the priest said: "From generation to generation, kind Russian hearts have sought connections with each other in culture, in faith, in history. And today, an amazing phenomenon is taking place, which has finally brought amazing young people from all over the world to the Mother See of Moscow. For 15 years we have been cooperating with the Orthodox Cossacks both in Russia and abroad. With the Patriarch's blessing, we traveled to many countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, and Western Europe. We held a huge number of conferences, meetings, and worship services, where we met with our Cossack brothers who left their homeland during emigration, and all the time we seemed to extend them a hand of friendship, inviting them to Russia. We went there, giving our heart and our love, trying to tell our friends that we are their brothers and not their enemies. And literally in May of this year, the conference of the Synodal Committee was held again in Paris, which was attended by Igor Yurievich Chaika. And today is an amazing moment: this hand of friendship has finally been reunited, and the Cossack youth is here in Russia."
Fr Timofey stressed that faith has always been the main unifying factor: "The Cossacks have always been united by the Orthodox faith in the first place. And today you have come to Holy Russia. And may Holy Russia truly show you in all its colors the beauty and depth of the faith of Christ and the history of our Fatherland. And I think she'll teach you to love her even more."
Andrey Yemelyanov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, noted the importance of the first such project for the descendants of the Cossacks and announced the welcome address of Igor Chaika, head of Rossotrudnichestvo: "I am glad that the project has brought together young Cossacks from different countries, creating a unique platform that combines educational initiatives with respect for Cossack traditions. You come from different parts of the world, but you are united by discipline, the will to win and the collective spirit as qualities that have always distinguished the Cossacks. These qualities are especially important in science and technology, where endurance and teamwork are valued."
Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, noted the importance of preserving traditions in the context of the development of modern technologies. According to her, it is the connection of traditions and new technologies that becomes the basis of unity and allows us to create solutions that contribute to the further development of society.
Anna Kotova, State Secretary and Deputy Head of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, stressed the importance of the project for strengthening the continuity of generations: "One of the objectives of the Route of Courage is to strengthen the link between the glorious past and the stable future of our country. We sacredly honor the exploits of our ancestors and selfless devotion to the Motherland. At the same time, we are proud of our country's innovations and advanced technologies. It is obvious that you, the descendants of Cossacks living abroad, are interested in the culture and traditions of Russia, as well as its scientific and technological potential."
The project participants will have numerous educational classes, which will end with a vibrant cultural program and a visit to the XII International Festival "Cossack Village Moscow".