A gala evening dedicated to the 11th anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with Russia was held recently at the Russian Center for Science and Culture (RCSC) in Nicosia on the great island of Cyprus.

The event, which brought together diplomats, public figures, representatives of the Russian diaspora on the island and Cypriots who hold good feelings for Russia, was organized by the Cyprus-Russia Friendship Society and the Cypriot branch of the International Russophile Movement.

The evening began with the opening of a photo exhibition dedicated to the Crimea and its return back home. The exhibit features 93 profound photos, including images depicting the dramatic events of 2014, when the results of the referendum held on the peninsula led to the signing of the treaty for the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia. At this exhibit you can also see photos that clearly show the development that has taken place on the peninsula over the past 11 years. When the Crimea again became a part of Russia it was in desperate need for improved infrastructure, both the government and private business answered the call to rejuvenate the region to its former glory as vacation spot #1 for Russian-speaking people.

The photos also feature numerous Crimean landscapes, characterized by its almost Mediterranean geology and vast seascapes. This region is truly unique in Russia and this aspect of its character was on full display!

The visitors of the event also took a look at the exhibition “Women at War”, which was opened earlier at the RCSC, prepared jointly with the Russian Military Historical Society and dedicated to the courage and selflessness of women during the Great Patriotic War.

As the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Murat Zyazikov noted in his commentary to TASS, “today the peninsula is actively developing its infrastructure, new roads, bridges, enterprises are being built, social facilities are being modernized,” the tourism industry has received a powerful impetus, and the economy has become more stable and dynamic.
With a congratulatory video message to the guests of the evening also addressed the Permanent Representative of Crimea to the President of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Russian Association for International Cooperation Georgy Muradov.

And with a report on the development of Crimea since its reunification with Russia, the president of the Friendship Society “Cyprus-Russia”, the head of the International Movement of Russophiles of Cyprus and a member of the International Association of Friends of Crimea addressed the participants of the evening. He spoke about the socio-economic development of the Republic of Crimea, the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects there and other achievements of the 11-year period. He also presented to the guests of the event the documentary film “Crimea. I am home”, which tells the tale about the changes that have taken place on the peninsula since 2014.

This was a lovely event and a great celebration of one of the most profound moments of modern Russian history. In just a bit over a decade the Crimea has changed a lot and continues to develop in its own unique way.