The message reads, in part:

“Throughout different stages of its history, this ancient city has been involved in epoch-making events. It is rightfully recorded in the military annals of our homeland as the City of Battle Glory. The Battle of Kursk will always be perceived in the world a symbol of heroism displayed by our nation during the Great Patriotic War.

“Kursk is not just about its glorious past, its unique history and an inimitable architectural style. The city is renowned for its spiritual and cultural heritage. The names of Sts Theodosius Pechersky and Serafim of Sarov are connected with the land of Kursk. Mikhail Shchepkin, the founder of the Russian acting school, began his career here, and it was here that poets Afanasy Fet and Konstantin Vorobyov, writer Yevgeny Nosov, painter Alexander Deineka and composer Georgy Sviridov created their wonderful works.

“Today the capital of the Kursk Region is a major scientific, industrial and transportation centre of Russia. One third of the region’s economic potential is concentrated here. It is noteworthy that special attention is paid in Kursk to enhancing the investment and business climate, developing social services and improving living standards.”