In his speech before the concert, Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the city’s residents on the occasion, noting that Yaroslavl has traditionally occupied an important place in Russian history.
The President stressed that the ultimate aim of the celebrations was not the anniversary as such, but creating decent living standards for the inhabitants of Yaroslavl. In this connection, Dmitry Medvedev expressed his wish to see the efforts launched in preparation to the celebration continue.
In the evening, the President took a walk around the city, saw the monument to military and labour achievements of Yaroslavl residents during the Great Patriotic War and laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame.
President Medvedev then visited the main shrine of the city, the Assumption Cathedral. Archbishop Kirill of Rostov and Yaroslavl invited Dmitry Medvedev into the cathedral and showed him the interior and the iconostasis.
The President also walked around the city waterfront and talked with residents of Yaroslavl congratulating them on the anniversary.