KOTELNIKOV: NATIONAL UNITY DAY HONOURS DIVERSITY

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 4 /SRNA/ – In today's world, National Unity Day is an opportunity to celebrate the richness of diversity, nurture bridges of friendship between nations and build a future based on solidarity and understanding, Igor Kotelnikov, founder of the Romanovi Association of Russians in Republika Srpska, told SRNA today.

"Strong unity is also reflected in the unbreakable cultural and historical ties between the Serb and Russian peoples, which have lasted for centuries. We are celebrating this unity through science and culture by opening an exhibition in Banja Luka dedicated to Ognjeslav Kostović Stepanović, a man whose brilliant mind brought our two peoples together," Kotelnikov said.

He said National Unity Day is one of Russia's most important public holidays.

"It is a non-working day dedicated to the memory of a key historical event in 1612, when a popular uprising was raised to liberate Moscow from Polish invaders. It is a day that celebrates the best in human nature - the ability to unite in the name of peace, progress and the shared values that bind us," Kotelnikov said.