President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Dear graduates, friends,
I sincerely congratulate you, your families, and your teachers on this wonderful day of your graduation.
School graduation is always filled with a unique and exciting atmosphere, charged with the energy of youth, hope, and dreams.
The bigger part of your life is connected with your school: important events, emotions, and experiences. For many of you, it has truly become a second home. Bidding farewell to school is a special and deeply moving moment, the memories of which you will cherish for years to come.
I join you in expressing heartfelt gratitude to your teachers. Throughout your years at school, they opened up the boundless world of knowledge to you, supported you during difficult moments, and helped you discover and develop your talents and abilities. They did everything they could to ensure you grew up to be good, decent people. This is an extraordinarily demanding and profoundly important mission.
Very soon, it is you, the young people of today, who will assume responsibility for our country, our beautiful and beloved Russia. It will be your mission to continue the history of its achievements, to create, to build, and to leave a legacy that you, in turn, will pass on to future generations.
Today, you are looking forward to a future that is still unknown, trying to imagine who you will become in the years ahead and what achievements you will have. I believe you will be able to fulfil your plans and accomplish your goals. You possess the gene of winners. Within your hearts and souls live the strength and unity of our people, along with the moral fortitude of your ancestors, those who liberated the world from Nazism, harnessed the power of the atom, and opened the way to outer space for all humanity.
You will also face difficult and inspiring challenges in the spheres of technology, science, public administration, social development, culture, and the arts. The most important thing is to pursue your goals with determination and perseverance. And, of course, always remember the most important lessons you learned at school: the lessons of friendship, kindness, justice, courage, and mutual support. Cherish your love for your homeland, look to its heroes for inspiration, and uphold the timeless values that have always been the foundation of our nation.
Friends,
A world of opportunity now lies before you, and how you make use of it depends, above all, on you.
I wish each of you success in gaining admission to the educational institution of your choice. Or perhaps you have decided to master a profession through vocational training and begin your career right away. Whatever path you choose, the most important thing is to find your true calling, never stop learning, continue to grow, and always strive to move forward. In today’s rapidly changing world, this is more important than ever.
Dream and dare! I wish you happiness, fulfilment, and every success.