PARIS, June 6 The opening ceremony of Russian Language Day on the 225th anniversary of the birth of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin took place on Thursday at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
“Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, today, on the 225th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, it is a great honor for me to open Russian Language Day at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,” said the permanent representative Russian Federation to UNESCO, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Rinat Alyautdinov, opening the event. The event was broadcast on the UNESCO website. 
The Permanent Representative noted the connecting role of the Russian language in the exchange of ideas, economic and cultural achievements. The Russian language provides access to the treasury of knowledge and cultural space of Russian civilization, he said. Alyautdinov added that Russia is careful about preserving all languages on the territory of the Russian Federation.
“We are confident that the celebration of Russian Language Day will contribute to the development of international humanitarian cooperation and mutual understanding,” the permanent representative said, concluding his speech. 
The event is being held on the joint initiative of Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
It is attended by heads and staff of diplomatic missions accredited to UNESCO, representatives of French socio-political and business circles, the scientific and expert community, as well as cultural figures, compatriots, and the media. 
The concert program for guests includes a performance by Russian singer Elena Maximova, as well as performances by dance and music groups from different countries to share the fruits of creativity of Russian composers, writers and poets.
In Russia, they have repeatedly pointed out the impossibility of abolishing Russian culture. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the abolition of Russian culture is stupid, and that those who seek to erase Russian culture from the world heritage are robbing themselves.