Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

Vladimir Putin: Dear residents of St. Petersburg and respected guests,

We have gathered here today in St. Petersburg. It is marking its 300th anniversary. The northern capital is celebrating this date admirably, as a great city should, together with the entire country.

I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the city’s residents and guests on this occasion. I congratulate everyone who holds St. Petersburg and its glorious history close to their hearts.

Today we have many friends and partners with us from many states across the world. And we see this as a mark of respect for Russia and the history of its statehood.

Before the city, there were swamps and forests, but St. Petersburg was built despite all the obstacles. It was built and grew into the capital of a new, European Russia.

When planning this city, Peter dreamed about a strong and dynamic country, open to everyone. And he did more than just dream. He opened up Russia to the world and the world to Russia. St. Petersburg became a symbol of the country’s future, a symbol of its definitive renewal.

It was with the Neva – this rich and bountiful river – that the city started. The Neva – its twists and turns – determined how it would be built. And today the Neva’s embankments, bridges and canals are an image and symbol of St. Petersburg itself and its difficult history.

Dear friends,

Not only does St. Petersburg embody beauty and state grandeur. It also has a unique living history. This, first and foremost, is its people. The people are the ones who nurture and multiply the city’s traditions. It is their firm character, intelligence, and dignity, which is well known and always calls for respect.

In celebrating the anniversary, we, first of all, remember our forefathers; their names have always been connected with the city on the Neva. We remember the city’s founder, Peter the Great. We remember Alexander Pushkin who gave praise to the city. We think about Fedor Dostoevsky who opened the secrets of the heart of the city. And also we remember Dmitry Likhachyev who will always remain the symbol of the true individual of St. Petersburg…and many, many more.

Today we are recalling not only the generations of the city’s residents, who built these embankments and palaces, but also are recalling those who fought to the death defending Leningrad and were stronger than the hell that was the Siege of Leningrad. These are the ones buried in Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery, who, regardless of the several times the city has been renamed, will always remain Leningraders.

And, of course, I refer to you who live in this city today and are creating tomorrow’s St. Petersburg. You have been left a great heritage and it is worth defending, saving and developing.

For me, it is also home. Accordingly, today, like millions of residents, I want to express my love for St. Petersburg. It is a city of workers, a hero city that has never been defeated by enemies. It is a city of remarkable scientific and cultural traditions with world famous universities, museums, enterprises and theatres.

Three centuries of glorious history stand behind St. Petersburg. And today it is one of the world’s cultural capitals. It is the crossroads and the hub of business activity. It is the most important center of European culture in Russia.

We believe that this city has a big and successful future. And I would like to wish all the city residents a happy and prosperous life in one of the most beautiful cities in both Russia and the world.

Happy Birthday St. Petersburg!

Happy Anniversary!

Enjoy the celebrations, dear friends!