In Irkutsk, winners of the Best Yard contest and the first Flowers by the House contest were honored, where residents competed in improving yards, entrances and balconies. Deputy mayor Nikolai Khitsenko noted that such active residents make the city more beautiful and cozy, and 29 took part in the debut contest. Among the Best Yard winners were yards at Ryabikova Boulevard 21 21a, Yubileiny district 43, Kommunisticheskaya Street 60 and other addresses.

“If most Irkutsk residents take such an active civic stance as the participants in the ‘Best Yard’ and ‘Flowers by the House’ contests, then our city will become both more beautiful and more comfortable,” said Irkutsk Vice Mayor Nikolai Khitsenko today at the awards ceremony for the city residents who won these contests.

The “Best Yard” contest has been held by the mayor’s office since 1998, and the competition for the best floral decoration of one’s yard, entranceway, or balcony is being held in Irkutsk for the first time. Nevertheless, even in the debut of the “Flowers by the House” contest, 29 participants submitted applications, and 19 of the contestants turned out to be residents of Irkutsk’s Sverdlovsky District. The contest was held in three categories – “Best Courtyard Flower Bed,” “Best Floral Decoration of an Entranceway,” and “Best Floral Decoration of a Balcony.”

Presenting the winners with flowers, the mayor’s certificates, and cash prizes, Nikolai Khitsenko once again emphasized that the city is our common home, and it becomes more comfortable thanks to the hands of Irkutsk residents who create. “It is one thing when our yards and entranceways are improved at the city budget’s expense,” said Nikolai Khitsenko, “and quite another when we have city residents with imagination, ingenuity, and a desire to make the city beautiful.”

In the contest for an exemplary courtyard, first place was taken by the courtyard at 21-21a Ryabikov Boulevard, second place by the courtyards at 43 Yubileiny Microdistrict and 60 Kommunisticheskaya Street, and third place by the courtyards at 27-29 Mamina-Sibiryaka Street and 102 Baikalskaya Street.