The key facts
- The greeting from orbit was recorded by Pyotr Dubrov, Anna Kikina and Sergey Tetyatnikov
- The video address was published by Roscosmos
- The day before, Vladimir Putin congratulated the Council for Interethnic Relations
A greeting from orbit
Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station recorded a video address to the country's residents on the occasion of National Unity Day; the video was published by Roscosmos, as reported by Life.ru. The address featured Pyotr Dubrov, Anna Kikina and Sergey Tetyatnikov.
What the cosmonauts said
“From up here in orbit, you can clearly see how beautiful our country is. It is our common home, which each of us must love and protect,” said Pyotr Dubrov. According to him, this is the main meaning of the holiday, which recalls moments in history when the people united and overcame difficulties together. Anna Kikina noted that participants of space flights understand the value of unity well: a shared goal, trust and mutual respect allow people with different views and personalities to solve the most complex tasks. Sergey Tetyatnikov wished that “warmth and harmony reign in every home,” and that those who will support you in word and deed are always nearby.
Context of the holiday
The day before, as Life.ru notes, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated members of the Council for Interethnic Relations on the upcoming National Unity Day and thanked them for their legislative, scientific and educational work, as well as for their participation in holding the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Thus, the ISS crew's greeting became part of a series of addresses timed to November 4.
