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The 21st Winter Diplomatic Games started in Moscow on Saturday, February 11, TASS reports. By tradition, they are dedicated to the Day of the Diplomatic Worker, which is celebrated in Russia on February, 8.
Among the participants of the tournament are representatives of 20 countries, from Armenia and Belarus to Venezuela, Kenya and Ghana.
Teams compete for awards in skiing, table tennis, Russian billiards and futsal. The winners will be determined by professional judges.
The main event will be a gala hockey match for the Cup of the 21st Diplomatic Winter Games. As part of the games, the Taste of the Arctic gastronomic festival is also held. The theme of the festival was not chosen by chance - Russia now holds the post of chairman of the Arctic Council.
In his address to the participants, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov wished the participants bright achievements, excellent mood and positive emotions. The minister's message was read out by the department's representative Maria Zakharova. According to her, this tournament has an important consolidating value. ''This is another opportunity to show that we are all different, we have different views, traditions, worldview, philosophy, but there are things that unite us. And this is a sport as well,'' she said.
Russkiy Mir
