2013 SU Update: Penza Region Governor receives FISU Flag

PENZA – The festivities on occasion of theFISU Flag Relay’s arrival inPenza culminated in the ‘Universiade in Your City!’ concert and solemn ceremony of handing theFISU Flag replica over to Penza Region Governor Vasily Bochkarev. For the first time during theFISU Flag Relay, the flag was received by a head of a federal region.

The key event, the ‘Universiade in Your City!’ concert, that took place in Lenin Square, in front of the Penza Region Government, assembled over 5,000 students, schoolchildren and other citizens of Penza. Prior to the gig, all participants could have their picture taken with Uni the snow leopard kitten, donate their handprint in the ‘Vote for PEACE!’ event or wish the Russian national team success at the 2013 SU in the ‘Greeting Card 2013’ event.

The concert ran for two hours and featured the best dance and music groups of the Penza Region and Tatarstan. «Most bands and individual dancers and singers are ready to perform at international level. They are not simply talented or professional, they are inspired by what they do and go all out on stage. I’m confident that most of the boys and girls we’ve seen today will become worthy members of UNI-elite and represent the cultural diversity of Russia at the 2013 Summer Universiade», said Larisa Sulima, admiring the performance of Penza’s creative bands.

The concert proceeded with the FISU Flag replica handover ceremony. The ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’ was played, and Larisa Sulima and Vasily Bochkarev appeared on the stage. The flag replica was carried in and handed over to the Penza Region Governor and Aleksey Voyevodin, Athens Olympic bronze medal winner in the 50km race walk, who was awarded the Kazan 2013 Ambassador title shortly before.

«The Universiade is a forum of the strongest student-athletes in the world and a sports reserve pool for the Olympic Games. I’m proud of the fact thatRussiawas awarded to stage the World University Games again, and I’m honored to be appointed a Kazan 2013 Ambassador in my small motherland. My mission is to champion the idea cultivated by Russian Government, that is to contribute to revival and development of university sports in our country», Aleksey Voyevodin said.

«Russia was entrusted with the right to stage the 2013 Summer Universiade in the fine city ofKazan. I’d like to thank you for joining us in the FISU Flag Relay welcome festivities today. I must note that Penza and Kazan are very close cities. That’s why I want to assure our dear guests that we will do what we can to help you to carry out the best 2013 Summer Universiade ever,» Penza Region Governor Vasily Bochkarev summed up.

The concert ended with a performance by the Murakami rock band, whose lead singer, Kazan 2013 Ambassador Dilyara Vagapova, celebrated her birthday yesterday and got warm wishes from her fans in Penza today.

It is reported that the FISU Flag replica will be kept in the Penza Mayor’s Office. Next, the FISU Flag Relay participants will travel to Saransk, the capital of the Republic of Mordovia.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)

Penza Region Governor Vasily Bochkarev receives a souvenir plate from Larisa Sulima

Aleksey Voyevodin, another Kazan 2013 Ambassador