Dear friends!

2009 will see the 1150th anniversary of Novgorod the Great, the most ancient Russian city, which recorded history began together with the history of Russia. This is the city where the Russian state system, Russian democracy as well as Russia’s economic and cultural relations with Europe originated from. Novgorod the Great has always been a strong center of Russian Orthodoxy, literacy and spiritual culture.

It is in the Novgorod land that the first birch bark letters were unearthed to become a sensational discovery in the field of archeology. It is in the ancient city of Novgorod that the first Russian school was founded in the 11th century by Yaroslav the Wise. The city’s historic center, the Kremlin, is the most ancient fortified complex in Russia. In its core there are a unique St. Sophia Cathedral, the first Russian stone church, the largest collection of Russian icon paintings and the grand monument “the Millennium of Russia” depicting the pivotal events in the history of the Russian state.

By the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Putin V.V., the forthcoming event is given a status of a nationwide holiday. This fact attests that Novgorod the Great is recognized to have played a key role in the development of the Russian state and the national culture. In the same year for the first time in Russia Novgorod Region will host the European cultural-and-economic forum “Hanseatic Days of the New Time”, the participants of which will represent over 100 European cities. Through several centuries Novgorod the Great served as link between medieval Europe and Russia and was the center of international integration and trade. In 1980, based on the traditions of medieval Hansa, the Hanseatic League of the New Time was established. In 1993, Novgorod the Great joined the Hanseatic League of the New Time.

We’ll be glad to see you in Hanseatic days XXIX and the anniversary of Novgorod the Great!

Mitin S.G.,
Governor of Novgorod Region, Chairman of the Region Organizing Committee on the preparation for and carrying out of the 1150th anniversary of Novgorod the Great and Hanseatic days XXIX.