State awards were given to children songs in the Kremlin today. The reception in honor of upcoming Children's Day is probably the only day when the event at such a high level is held in such an informal setting. Large families were given the Order of Parental Glory today.
Dmitry Petrov has the details.
While they waited for the meeting with the president, the Kremlin's grand Georgievsky Hall turned into a kind of a hobby club for children. After all, they had to amuse the youngest participants of that landmark meeting somehow. Here's a hockey battle. And here, toddlers are playing on the carpet. There's a huge set of toys for them.
"We're playing with Kremlin guards".
One can try on a historic military uniform. Next to it, are desks for drawing. Just a few days ago, these boys and girls couldn't even imagine that they'd play in the Kremlin. There's now a gym under the arches of the tzar's chambers. They gave a tour around the Kremlin for each of the eight families.
- Who is this?
- We should find out where this scene is from.
- Prince Vladimir?
One wouldn't often see this in the Kremlin. Victoria Dmitrieva, a young mother, is walking around the Georgievsky Hall with the youngest participant: 3-month old Katenka.
Eight large families gathered in Moscow today, each representing a federal district. The president thanked all of them and all large Russian families.
Vladimir Putin: "Your families' example strengthens the authority of the institute of family, revives sincere... He confirms that what I'm saying is true. It revives the original traditions of a strong household, solidarity, and love, loyalty to one's kin. People like you are the heritage and blessing of our country".
Of course, the state helps families with children. Many, not only large, families have recently felt that.
Vladimir Putin: "It includes a lower tax burden on large families, additional welfare and benefits, privileged mortgage programs, the creation of new places in nurseries and kindergartens. We'll continue this work for sure. I know that this isn't enough. We'll think of if there are certain ideas as to how the state can improve this work and fully support you".
For strengthening the institute of family and marriage, the first Orders of Parental Glory were given to the Dmitriev family from Moscow. Each of these families is happy in its own way. The Syropyatovs have nine children. There are eight girls and only one boy. He was born last year. The Liseytsevs from Sevastopol were recommended for the decoration two years ago when they had five children, but then they had twins: Petya and Savva. After the awards and taking photos with Putin, the middle one, Vanya, asked the president for something.
- We couldn't hear what you talked to the president about. Tell us what you said to him, please.
Vanya: I said that my mom is pregnant.
Of course, the trip to Moscow is a big event for every family, because they at least must get ready and go to Moscow from Sakhalin, Caucasus, Kabardino-Balkaria.
- Irina.
- Vadim.
- Artur.
- Rufina.
- Mark.
From the first time, they failed to introduce themselves in front of the cameras. They're without their eldest daughter, who has her own family. Olga and Pyotr Markevich have 12 children. They don't think that it's a wonder. It's surprising that Olga was the only child in her family. She confessed that she wanted five children, and then this happened. Here's advice from a mother of many children to those who'd like to walk that path.
Olga Markevich, mother of many children: "I think it's about love. You still love and forgive them when they disobey".
Girls help around the house, the elder boys help around the farm. I milk at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. It's like this every day. They only took a vacation in order to go to Moscow.
Everyone has his own history of multiple-children happiness. But almost all of these couples had to start that way back in the difficult 90s.
Evgeny Koshkin: "Our children were born in the 90s when they didn't pay wages on time, and many people judged us, saying that we're breeding poverty. We didn't expect that one day, we'd be here, that there'd be some programs for us one day".
Vladimir Putin: "You see, it all comes from God, your soul, your heart. You're the main people who define the life of our country".
For all of those who were awarded was a tea-party with the president in the Kremlin's Alexandrovsky Hall after the ceremony.
Dmitry Petrov, Andrey Chistyakov, Irina Vinogradova, Alexey Karpukhin, and Filipp Dubrovsky for Vesti.
