2013 SU Update: Nizhny Novgorod becomes 10th City on FISU Flag Relay Route

NIZHNY NOVGOROD – Grand festivities on the occasion of the FISU Flag Relay took place in the 10th city of the FISU Flag Relay, Nizhny Novgorod.

Celebrations were held in Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, the main pedestrian street of Nizhny Novgorod. Thousands of citizens gathered downtown Nizhny Novgorod to see the concert and participate in the ‘We Vote for PEACE’ and ‘Greeting Card 2013’ events, Universiade 2013 quizzes and other entertaining games sponsored by Sberbank of Russia and Coca-Cola Company.

The ‘Universiade in Your City!’ concert turned into an unofficial competition between the best creative bands of Tatarstan and the Nizhny Novgorod Region. Winners of national and international talent shows and festivals, among which were break dancers, pop singers, beat boxers, modern dance performers, folk singers, presented their creative professionalism and unique talent to the audience. The program of the concert featured singer Albina Troshina, Energy show ballet, Sabotage dance band, Rocket children’s creative band, etc. It is expected that under the trilateral agreement signed between the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Nikolay Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, these creative bands will be involved in the preparations for the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan so that to parade their talented performance at the Cultural Universiade.

Elena Posevina, a two-time Olympic champion and repeat World and European champion in rhythmic gymnastics, was appointed Kazan 2013 Ambassador inNizhny Novgorod. «Such athletes as Elena Posevina that are beautiful, successful and active become the pride of the nation and idols for thousands of young people. We are confident that Elena will be a perfect representative of the ideas that Team 2013 is loyal to, such as commitment to sports, healthy way of life, creativity and friendship!», Larisa Sulima said.

Traditionally, the ‘Universiade in Your City!’ concert culminated in the solemn ceremony of the FISU Flag replica handover. The event was attended by Minister of Sports and Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Victor Kharitonov and his deputy Sergey Bocharov, Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Larisa Sulima and Kazan 2013 Ambassador Elena Posevina. «Today we delivered a unique historical relic in your city. On July 6, 2013 it will be raised over the host city of the World Universty Summer Games and commemorate the opening of a grand forum inspired by friendship, youth and sports. The flag replica that will be handed over to your city will become part of the big banner which will symbolize unity of the whole ofRussiain its efforts to extend a cordial welcome to visitors and carry out the best Universiade ever», Larisa Sulima said in her welcome speech.

«From now on and until 2013, we, Niznhy Novgorod citizens of all ages, are members of one big team engaged in the preparations of the Summer Universiade in a nice and hospitable city of Kazan. We will try to make what we can to contribute to staging of the Games, provide the best and most friendly volunteers for the Universiade and delegate athletes that deserve victories at the competition», Victor Kharitonov solemnly promised to the guests.

The ‘Universiade in Your City!’ concert ended with the gig by the Murakami rock band. After the concert, activists of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Tatarstan gathered in the Nikolay Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod to discuss implementation of a whole range of joint projects on the threshold of the 2013 Summer Universiade.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)

Elena Posevina, another Ambassador for Kazan 2013