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President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Dear friends,

I congratulate you from all my heart on Moscow City Day, our capital’s birthday!

Moscow has almost 900 years of glorious history behind it, and it knows how to preserve this past while at the same keeping up with the times and even running ahead. Looking at Moscow’s development over recent years we can see that people’s prosperity is the cornerstone here and that the city stakes it future on people’s business and creative energy. Our capital is a living example of all the dynamic changes taking place in our society and throughout our entire country, and affirmation of the benefits of free development and the support of those who are our country’s future.

Our capital is also an example of respect for the older generation, respect for those who defended the approaches to Moscow in the Great Patriotic War [1941–45], rebuilt its working life and remain to this day an example of moral strength for us all.

Peoples’ interests and everyday concerns form the fabric of the capital’s life. Moscow’s almost ten-percent economic growth rate, foreign trade turnover, and effective small business sector account for practically half of the city budget’s revenue and make it possible to direct budget funds into social programmes. The city plans to build fast-growing new housing developments and pursue rapid development of the services sector and transport infrastructure. Moscow has received a big new birthday present this year – a newly opened metro station, Slavyansky Bulvar.

Moscow is active in spreading the use of new approaches in healthcare and education, and this is also extremely important today. Good resources are in place for Muscovites, especially young Muscovites, to pursue their physical development. This leads many people, especially young people, to build their own future and their children’s future in Moscow.

It is therefore no surprise that to our great pleasure the birth rate in the capital is starting to rise. More than 100,000 little Muscovites were born last year, during Moscow’s Year of the Child, and there have been almost 2,500 more births so far this year compared to the same period last year. These additions to Moscow families will probably help to revive another of the city’s old traditions: big families and strong family ties always had a very honoured place in Moscow’s life.

People used to call this kinship and knew their ancestry back for many generations. The more such families we have today the more modern our society will be, and the stronger our country will become.

Dear friends,

Moscow’s dynamism and open character are what make it so attractive, not just for old-timers but also for new residents, for all who consider Moscow their home and who love and appreciate it. We are proud of our capital and we pleased that the city authorities do everything they can to mark each year of its history with new achievements. Moscow’s status as capital gives its residents the right to make special demands. Perhaps this explains why Moscow has always withstood time and remained young and beautiful for so many centuries now, an inexhaustible fount of talent and strength, just like our great motherland, Russia.

Happy holiday, dear Muscovites!

Happy City Day!