Meeting of the Pobeda (Victory) Organising Committee

Vladimir Putin held a videoconference meeting of the Pobeda (Victory) Organising Committee.

The meeting addressed new applications for the City of Labour Valour honorary title. The agenda also included ways to improve tourist guiding services and the museum sector as well as the objectives of the executive and judicial branches in preserving historical memory.

In his opening remarks, the President wished Army General Anatoly Kulikov, president of the Russian Military Leaders' Club, a happy 80^th birthday.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

Before we get down to work, I would like to first of all wish all the best to our colleague on the Pobeda Organising Committee, General of the Army Anatoly Kulikov, President of the Russian Military Leaders' Club, on his 80^th birthday. Mr Kulikov, I sincerely wish you good spirits, good health, success, and all the very best. Please, go ahead.

Anatoly Kulikov: Thank you, Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you for your service.

And now let us move on to the agenda. During today's meeting we will consider new applications for the honorary title of City of Labour Valour, as well as issues related to the improvement of excursion and museum activities and the missions of the executive and judicial branches in preserving historical memory. These are different topics but they are closely interrelated. What we are dealing with here is a crucial area of state policy: the preservation of historical truth and historical memory.

This is the work we engage in all the time, and it is built on the feats and achievements of previous generations, which are essential for uniting the country and society and educating new generations. These are the values, moral guidelines, and the character of the victors that our children and grandchildren must inherit and preserve. Historical examples play an immensely powerful role here - including the labour heroism of 14- and 15-year-old boys and girls who forged victory on the home front, and numerous young heroes who fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War.

To be continued.