Youth festival of patriotic song "Cranes over Russia" held in Makhachkala

Makhachkala, May 21, 2014. The international youth festival of patriotic song "Cranes over Russia" dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 was held at the Avar Theater site in Makhachkala.

The festival traditionally held by Daghestan office of the "United Russia" party and Daghestan Ministry of Culture with support of Daghestani Leader attracted over 30 state and public folk art groups and singers not only from Daghestan but also from other Russian regions.  World War II veterans, students of the 1st Daghestan Cadet Corps, schoolchildren and university students came to the festival.

Opening the event, 1st deputy Chairman of Daghestan National Assembly Yuri Levitsky said that the festival aims at preserving and popularizing the song culture of the Daghestan peoples, at patriotic education, finding talented singers, and acquainting young people with their folklore.

"Today, we need to teach the younger generation patriotism and pride for their country and the Soviet people through the example of the war year songs, to breed respect to the older generation and war monuments, and to inspire respect for the soldiers," - Yuri Levitsky said.

In an interview with RIA "Daghestan", Deputy Daghestan Minister of Culture and Director of Daghestan House of Folk Arts Marita Mugadova said, "Today, patriotic education of youth in Daghestan is one of the priority areas of the youth policy. The integrity of our state is dependent on the level of patriotic education in the city, region and country we live in. The patriotic song is an integral part of this important component of the social life. This kind of creativity keeps alive the bright feeling of patriotism in our everyday life and supports the morale of the nation throughout their hard times."

According to the organizers, the festival helps preserve and develop the diversity of national cultures of the Caucasus, form a common cultural space, and strengthen friendship among the peoples.