In Dagestan, events were held to mark the 25th anniversary of the defeat of international gangs and the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Dagestan. Staff and students of the Dagestan State Medical University took part in them.

The largest solemn event was held at the Ali Aliyev Palace of Sport and Youth in Kaspiysk.

It was attended by Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Magomedsalam Magomedov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus Federal District Yuri Chaika, Head of Dagestan Sergey Melikov and other honoured guests.

Among the invitees were representatives of the republican authorities, Heroes of Russia, State Duma deputies, militiamen, members of the Russian Defence Forces and their families, representatives of the clergy and others.

The audience was presented with a prologue to the concert programme – a dramatisation of the events of 1999 performed by choreographic ensembles, a solemn procession, a dance of aerial gymnasts performed by Moscow artists, a performance by young soloists and a large children’s choir, and much more.

Afterwards, the guests were shown an archive video of a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin, when he (as Prime Minister of the Russian Federation) visited Dagestan at a difficult time for the country. According to him, it was in that difficult time that the best qualities of the multinational people of the country were manifested: unity, selflessness, selfless love for the Motherland, responsibility for its fate.

At the end of the concert part of the event, everyone honoured the memory of the victims with a minute’s silence, after which the anthems of Russia and Dagestan were solemnly played.

Magomedsalam Magomedov in his speech welcomed the participants of the event on the 25th anniversary of the defeat of bandit groups in Dagestan.

‘I am pleased to welcome everyone and be with you together in the days of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the defeat of international terrorists who invaded our republic. Undoubtedly, this victory over the terrorists is a bright, heroic page in the history of the multinational Dagestani people and a landmark event in the fate of both the republic and our entire multinational great Motherland of Russia.

We remember with you that in those days the Russian army and the multinational people of Dagestan showed real unity. And the strong-willed and resolute position of the republic’s leadership and the country’s leadership represented by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin played a key role in defeating the terrorists,’ he emphasised.

After that, Magomedsalam Magomedov read out the welcome address of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

‘25 years ago, in September 1999, the gangs of international terrorists who had treacherously invaded the territory of the Republic of Dagestan were defeated in brutal battles. The militiamen of Dagestan, together with soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces and volunteers from many regions of Russia, stood in the way of the enemy with an indestructible wall, and showed by their example the power of unity of people in the face of a common threat.

We are sincerely proud of the contribution of Dagestanis to repelling the aggression of international terrorism, their current exploits during the special military operation. I am convinced that, relying on the age-old traditions of friendship and mutual understanding passed down from generation to generation, we will continue to fulfil our responsible tasks for the benefit of the Fatherland with dignity,’ the President’s welcoming speech said.

Sergei Melikov also made a welcoming speech. Yuri Chaika, the first President of Dagestan Mukhu Aliyev, Hero of Russia, Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov also made speeches during the event.

After the official speeches, the audience was shown the main part of the concert programme performed by Dagestani artists of choreographic groups, students of the Dagestan College of Culture and Arts. This included performances by the ensembles ‘Lezginka’, ‘Youth of Dagestan’, ‘Dagestan’, ‘Vatan’, the Ashugov ensemble, as well as the Charoda state folk male choir ‘Singing Charoda’ and many others.