Putin and students: ''You have more advantages in comparison with those who grew up in previous years''
Russian President congratulated the youth on Student’s Day in Kazan
Vladimir Putin's visit to Kazan ended on 25 January. The trip was announced to consist of two days. But considering that the executive plane landed late in the evening, the president spent in the capital of Tatarstan less than a day. But he made the time. Starting with a meeting with Muslim religious leaders, visiting the Kazan Federal University and meeting workers of the Kazan Aviation Factory, Putin arrived in Tatneft Arena at about 3 pm – with just a one-hour delay – where one thousand students from 38 regions of Russia were waiting for him. Realnoe Vremya tells the details.
''If they want to organise something with a guarantee that it will have the highest level, they immediately dial a familiar number''
The talks that students are forced to meet Putin in Kazan weren't exaggerated, they didn't comply with reality at all. It's unlikely that a student in sound mind will refuse to both go to a concert and look at the president. Realnoe Vremya's reporter didn't see faces of sad people who were burdened with becoming participants of the youth forum. On the contrary, all were merry and sang along with popular artists with pleasure who were invited to perform.
About 1,000 people from 38 regions of Russia gathered at Tatneft Arena. It was the final entertaining day of 'Together Forward!' All-Russian Educational Forum of Student Unions. Students worked one day earlier – meetings in eight areas with different speakers to talk about sport, art, IT at the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism.
What's more, the forum took place right in Kazan, Minister on Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov said to Realnoe Vremya.
''Today the youth and students are satisfied with life in Tatarstan. We have a city of students, many universities. We hold a big number of forums with the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and the Russian Youth Union. Partnership relations with them were established a long time ago. If they want to organise something with a guarantee that it will have the highest level, they immediately dial a familiar number,'' Leonov said.
Everybody dance: university stars were awarded in break between performances of pop stars
All began at midday. Presenters awarded the best student unions and winners of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs' scholarship in breaks between the performances of Yulianna Karaulova and Band'Eros.
Olympian synchronised swimming champion Maria Kisilyova congratulated the best sports student union: ''I'm glad the forum is held in Kazan. It's a sports city that amazingly held the University Games in 2013.'' Kazan didn't get awards in this nominations but got in another – Best Football Student Union. The Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism received it. While giving the award, the team's halfback Ilyas Timurshin was mentioned who saved his team by playing in goal when the referee had sent the goalkeeper off.
One more award remained in Kazan — Univer TV from the Kazan Federal University got it. It was said at the forum an all-Russian university channel would be launched during the month already.
''It's the same content, at the same level as other media. The only difference is that the youth will make the channel for the youth,'' Executive Director of the International Association of University Television Sergey Kosenchuk said.
''Are you waiting for him?'' How time was dragged in anticipation of Putin
It was almost 3 pm – it was to be the event's end. And the person all people waited for didn't come. Vladimir Putin still was at the meeting with the Kazan Aviation Factory's workers.
''Are you waiting for him? It's the best time for presenters when they had to stall for time,'' the presenter said from the stage.
Contests were used to stall for time. If all contests and joked ended and Putin didn't come yet, the stage started to be prepared for Animals' performance.
But they didn't need to be so cautious because several people appeared on the stage in several minutes and started to hurriedly take the music equipment, microphone stands and guitars away from the stage's edge, so that nothing would impede people from looking into the president's figure full height. Here the forum's presenter announced Vladimir Putin was on his way.
''Believe me, you have more advantages in comparison with those who grew up in previous years''
He appeared not from the backstage but stepped on the stage from the centre of the hall by welcoming and shaking hands of the students who were standing on the dance floor.
''I came to congratulate you on the festive day – Student's Day. And I'm doing it with pleasure. I congratulate you, those who gathered here today and all students of Russia, all your mentors, teachers and wish you luck in studies and your future life.
Russia always remains young, brave and looks ahead thanks to students. I want to wish you to always remain the people who look ahead, brave and take advantage of our huge country.
You grew up in a new era, believe me. You have more advantages in comparison with those who grew up in previous years. Now one can create freely, without thinking about anything, new art, new fashion, new music, new technologies. Not be afraid of mistakes, always look for an opportunity to handle them and find solutions that you need. Then you will be a happy, successful generation. I sincerely wish it to you,'' Putin said.
His speech lasted for about two minutes. Then he also went from the stage fast and suddenly by wishing all luck. When the official part finally ended and Animals were on the stage, students started to have fun like all people who are a bit older than 20 should do. And like those, as Putin said, who grew up in a new time when one can live freely, without thinking about anything.