Komi Republic celebrated 103rd anniversary

The reports show that, unfortunately, on this very important day for the Komi people, the services of the Komi people in the building of the republic were not mentioned in any of the speeches. All the events of the republic’s birthday were held under the slogans of dialogue of cultures and unity of peoples. As has already become a tradition in the Russian Federation, on the birthdays of the republics’ autonomy, there is also the celebration of a nation-wide anniversary. This time, the birthday of the republic was overshadowed by the Russian Flag Day, which is also celebrated on 22 August. The latter is being celebrated on an ever larger scale every year because of the need to consolidate the nation.

Russian patriotism

According to the press, the military had a prominent place at the anniversary celebrations. A military orchestra performed for children, with music from cartoons alternating with patriotic songs. The military had prepared games to be played along with dances and songs. The event of the anniversary of the Komi Republic in Syktyvkar ended with a musical composition ‘Onwards Russia!’.

Of course, there was no getting around the special military operation in Ukraine – the name still given to the aggression against Ukraine. This is apparent in the speeches of the leaders of the republic, Vladimir Uiba and Sergei Usachev. In their speeches, they emphasised above all the heroism of the people of the republic through the ages, and even now as they defend their homeland. It was stressed that they stand up against global evil and do their utmost to ensure peace for the present and future generations. In the course of this struggle, however, the homeland must become ever stronger. Humanitarian aid to support the people of Kursk Oblast was collected at all the day’s events.

Other festivities

Another important theme on the anniversary was the family. The President of Russia has declared 2024 the Year of the Family. On the occasion of the anniversary, an alley of families was opened in the capital. In it, 26 canvases with photos of the republic’s most prominent families were placed. The best families were also rewarded. The awards ceremony was one of the key moments of the anniversary celebrations. Almost all the professions received awards in more or less equal numbers.

However, the highlight of the birthday was a festive concert at the Stephen of Perm Square in Syktyvkar. The best bands of the republic performed, as well as the Belarusian aestrada ensemble Pesnyary, also known to the older generation in Estonia. Russian flags flew triumphantly at the event, but there were also a couple of blue-green-white tricolours of the Komi Republic.

In the ethnic aspect, the event culminated in an Ethnofestival organised at the Peoples’ Friendship House. There were performances by the Komi-Permyak band Shai-Mai, but also, for example, by Nadezhda Sidorova and Maria Korepanova from the Republic of Udmurtia, as well as guests from the Arkhangelsk region. In the House of Peoples, presentations of national cultural autonomies were on display, and their representatives treated the guests to national dishes. The Komi, on the other hand, predominantly gathered for their own festival in Shondiban. The festival in the past has been a highlight of Komi folk culture organised in June. This time the event took place in August and was dedicated to the Republic’s birthday.

The Komi Republic

On 22 August 1921, the Komi Autonomous Oblast was formed within the Russian NFSR. The oblast became the Komi Autonomous Soviet Republic in 1936. On 29 August 1990, the autonomous republic adopted a declaration of sovereignty. On 24 May 1991, the autonomous republic was renamed the Komi Soviet Socialist Republic. On 26 May 1992, the socialist republic became the Komi Republic.