The message says, in part:
“Your ancestors have made a priceless contribution to the history of the Russian state and to our culture. This meeting pays tribute to their great work and the glorious past of this country.
It is great that though far from your homeland, you have preserved close moral and cultural links with it. We appreciate your desire to develop contacts with modern Russia, and your sincere interest in its successful advance. Your interaction with compatriots helps us pool our efforts in promoting the Russian language and Russian cultural values, and maintaining Russia’s high international prestige.
I am convinced that the results of the conference will represent a major step towards ensuring the continuity of generations serving our homeland.”
The conference is attended by descendents of the world famous Russian writers and poets Leo Tolstoy, Alexander Pushkin and Vladimir Mayakovsky, statesmen Pyotr Stolypin, Alexander Gorchakov and Sergei Vitte, composer Mikhail Glinka, singer Fyodor Shalyapin, aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky, and a whole number of other outstanding Russian historians, scientists and cultural figures.
The conference, organised by the Russian Foreign Ministry as part of the expatriate support programme, will be held in Moscow on July 7–8.