In Irkutsk, Russia Day was marked by a large procession with a 50 meter tricolor, which started at the Eternal Flame memorial and ended with celebrations at Trud stadium. The governor, speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the mayor and residents took part. At the Baikal fair, locals were offered products from local producers at social prices. In their speeches, officials spoke of unity, responsibility and faith in the future of Russia and the Angara region.

Last Friday, the entire country celebrated Russia Day. This holiday was established in 1990 to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation, and in 1994 it was declared a national holiday.
Ceremonial events also took place in Irkutsk. On the square near the Eternal Flame memorial, the “Living Flag” campaign began, in which participants unfurled a 50-meter tricolor banner and then, after a rally, carried it along Lenin Street. The large procession was led by Irkutsk Region Governor Dmitry Mezentsev, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Lyudmila Berlina, Mayor of Irkutsk Vladimir Yakubovsky, members of the government, and deputies of the Legislative Assembly, while a brass band led the march. The procession ended in the square in front of Trud Stadium, where festive celebrations were held and the “Baikal Fair” opened, at which dozens of producers from the Angara region presented their products to city residents at truly “social” prices.
Congratulating the region’s residents on the holiday, Lyudmila Berlina noted:
– Today we have gathered here to say: “Russia, we love you.” We are obliged, we must make our Russia, our Irkutsk Region prosperous. And for that we need to work hard, we need to study patiently, because our knowledge is the best gift for Russia Day. We are united and responsible. This quality, this state of mind, which is inherent in every Russian and every resident of Irkutsk, is the key to our success. I wish you broad horizons, creative plans, and good deeds.
Dmitry Mezentsev also greeted those gathered at the memorial:
– The Russian tricolor is an element of continuity, an understanding that behind us lies a thousand-year history. When we say that Russia is a country of opportunities, we are not being disingenuous at all, because we already believe in it and know that success in overcoming the crisis is rooted only in ourselves, success in a calm, confident, comfortable, and prosperous life, if not fully today, then tomorrow.
And, according to the governor, the crisis can be overcome only by uniting and listening to one another.
– The door is open for dialogue both at the government and the governor’s office, and among the deputies. If we hear and listen to one another together, then nothing can frighten us, – the head of the region emphasized. – Russia Day is a reason to reflect on who we were yesterday, who we are today, and who we will be tomorrow. We gathered at the Eternal Flame to say “thank you” once again to our fathers and grandfathers for defending our country. We believe in you, Russia, and we love you.