History of Russia: Year of the citizen Minin launched in Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast

The year of 2011 in Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast has been announced the “Year of citizen Minin”, Nizhniy Novgorod zemstvo headman (starosta), one of the organizers of 1612 volunteer corps, which liberated Moscow and Russia from foreign invaders.

On February 14 2011 the State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov opened the Year of the citizen Kuzma Minin in Nizhniy Novgorod.

“Historically, Russia is famous for its prominent people, but the name of Kuzma Minin occupies a special place. This is one of those names that have inspired people to exploits in all the times”, said the speaker during a ceremony at the Rukavishnikov’s estate in Nizhniy Novgorod.

Mr Gryzlov reminded that the year 2012 will see 400th anniversary of the end of the Time of Troubles and revival of Russian statehood.

He stressed that this initiative was announced by the patriarchate, authorities of Nizhniy Novgorod and Russia’s civil society institutes.

To mark the Year of the citizen Kuzma Minin Nizhniy Novgorod and its districts will launch series of events dedicated to the feat of the citizen Kuzma Minin, and namely, open lessons at schools and kindergartens, exhibitions in museums, projects on TV, all paying tribute to the outstanding citizen of Nizhniy Novgorod.