In a now traditional annual ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St Alexander Hall, Dmitry Medvedev presented the Order of Parental Glory to parents of large families from various parts of Russia: Vladimir, Moscow and Pskov Regions, the Republics of Tatarstan and Khakassia, and Krasnodar, Primorye and Stavropol Territories.
"Russia has a centuries-old tradition of large, close-knit families. We have been trying to revive this tradition over recent years, give the family a more important place in life and support motherhood and childhood. I hope that our efforts are producing results, even if only modest results. Of course, we are also putting our efforts into educating children and developing their potential. Through your lives you are setting us examples of the love we need to give our children, and the attitude we need to take towards our families and responsibilities. You set fine examples of family upbringing in general," President Medvedev said.
"It makes me very happy to say that our country’s birth rate has started to increase. The first three months of this year saw the births of more than 428,000 children. This is up 1.5 percent on the same period in 2009. Of course we would like to see more rapid change. We would like to see our population increase in accordance with the demographic forecasts that we have been making," the president said. "I hope in any case that we have succeeded in starting to reverse the very negative demographic trends in which our country was caught for the last two decades."
Among those decorated with the order were Lyudmila and Nikolai Nikolenko from Krasnodar Territory, who are raising 25 children – 6 children of their own and 19 foster children. The other large families have no adopted children but have from six to 17 children of their own. Together the eight families receiving the Order of Parental Glory have 88 children.
The Order of Parental Glory was instituted by the Presidential Executive Order of May 13, 2008, and today’s ceremony is the third since the decoration was introduced. Since last year, the parents decorated receive the order itself and also its miniature copy they can wear on special occasions.
