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2000th anniversary of Derbent (Russia)
an article by Vestnik Kavkaza (abridged)
In 2015 Russia will mark the 2000th anniversary of
the city of Derbent. In late March Premier
Medvedev signed an order on establishing an
organizational committee on celebrating the
anniversary. The committee is headed by the
presidential plenipotentiary envoy in the North
Caucasus Federal District Alexander Khloponin; his
deputy is temporary acting head of Dagestan Ramzan
Abdulatipov.
click on photo to enlarge
Derbent is thought to be the most ancient city of
Russia. Derbent is the most ancient Christian city
of Russia, Derbent is the most ancient Muslim city
of Russia; Islam came to Russia through Derbent.
Derbent was the last south point attended by Peter
I 300 years ago when he accepted Derbent into
Russia, the deputy envoy of Dagestan under
President of RF, Vali-Magomed Magatayev, says.
Derbent has a big historic, cultural value. It
possesses a unique monument the citadel of
Naryn-Kala which is preserved by UNESCO. The city
is unique not only by its architecture, but also
by its city life culture, communication between
people when representatives of various confessions
and nations live together for many centuries,
protecting the communication culture and good
relations. These relations must be spread in other
cities of Dagestan.
When I came to Derbent for the first time, it
impressed me so much, Vsevolod Bogdanov, the
chairman of the Union of Journalists of Russia
remembers. You look at its historic past, and it
seems you are taken in 2-4 centuries ago. The idea
of celebrating the 2000th anniversary will return
to us the feelings, emotions, relations which used
to be in the Caucasus. I remember the times, 30-50
years ago, when the best poetry, the best art,
outstanding hospitality were connected with
Dagestan. We were proud to tell everybody how many
different peoples and nations live like a common
nation in the small territory. We provided
Dagestan as an example of spiritual kinship. I had
friends among Dagestani poets. Any meeting was an
event. We were glad to meet in Moscow and the
Caucasus and talk about the most precious and
valuable art which unites, a desire to express
what you think and feel. Nobody could imagine what
would happen years later and how the sacred
relations between people would be insulted. Of
course it was not caused by an accident or because
of common people who live there today. So, we
should use this anniversary. We can organize the
remarkable festival which could be a festival of
the culture of peace and trust between all of us.
. . .
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?,
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Latest reader comment:
International Cities Choose Peace
J. Fred Arment
arment@internationalcitiesofpeace.org
International Cities of Peace, an association of global cities of peace, is using the U.N. Culture of Peace tenets as the guideline for forming initiatives. To date, thirty-one cities are part of the association. Some are grassroots organizations, others have the firm commitment by resolution or proclamation from the city council.
International Cities of Peace include the following:
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.
Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A.
Unity Village, Missouri, U.S.A
Coventry, England
Bradford, England
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Mataki, Philippines
Pathuthani, Thailand
Fizi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Lake County, California, U.S.A.
Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Nagpur, India
Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.
Bujumbura, Burundi
Mzuzu and Lilongwe, Malawi
Tunis, Tunisia
Tuolumne County, California, U.S.A.
Bihac, Bosnia, Herzegovina
Yaounde, Cameroon
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Nyala, Darfur, Sudan
Bujumbura, Burundi
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Nakuru, Kenya
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Kathmandu, Nepal
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Warrake, Nigeria
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A.
To start an initiative, go to the association's website for resources and tools.
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