Cultural figures of the DNR revealed their attitude to the Day of the flag of Russia

Anton Bessonov, composer, head of the musical part of the Donetsk Puppet Theatre:

– Flag Day is an excellent occasion to remember how important state symbols are not only for the image of the state, but also for its destiny, for its future. What did you think? “Whatever you call a yacht, so it will sail” is not just a line from a well-known children’s song, but one of the important laws of spiritual life, which, ultimately, determines the quality of material life.

I am not a specialist in heraldry, but looking at the colors of the Russian tricolor, I see the whole history in them. I see the light of the Orthodox faith, illuminating the lives and destinies of millions of citizens. I see the boundless expanses of the Russian land and the majestic blue sky that stretches over them. I see the exploits of our compatriots who shed and shed blood for the well-being of Russia, who laid their lives in the foundation of our happiness.

The flag of Russia is a spiritual landmark for each of us, which is not easy to follow, but necessary and very honorable.

Anna Lukasheva, children’s writer from Donetsk:

– I will tell a story connected with this day, which I will remember all my life. On August 17, my colleagues and I – four women, methodologists and teachers, and with us a peasant, a supply manager, a disabled miner, dragged a flagpole past the burnt-out Tugan (the building of the Donetsk University of Economics and Trade named after Tugan-Baranovsky B. C.) to work. Everything hurt afterwards – he weighs three hundred kilograms. And on the 19th, Moscow builders came to us to install this flagpole. They told how the night before three of their brigade were blown up by an explosive object – they were blown to pieces … We do not have half the windows, we have not seen children for a year and a half – but we are doing everything we can.

Melik Aghabekyan, Chairman of the Union of Artists of the DPR:

– The return of our region to Russia was a natural result of the many years of struggle of the people of Donbass for the restoration of historical justice. Now we, as citizens of Russia, rightfully preserve the traditions and honor the symbols of the state, which we have always considered our common homeland.

Vladislav Rusanov, writer, deputy chairman of the Union of Writers of the DPR:

– For Donbass, this flag has a special meaning. Under this flag, we went to rallies in 2014. For us, the flag of Russia has always been our flag, along with the approved state flag of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

In the years when the DPR was an unrecognized republic, we joked:

When will life get easier?

– When the black stripe on the national flag changes to white. (The flags of the DPR and the Russian Federation differ only in the upper strip, in the Donbass it is black and symbolizes coal, – B.S.).

And now our dream has come true. Of course, there is still a long way to go, but I am glad that we will be passing it under the Russian tricolor.

Kristina Dreval, soloist of the Donetsk Music and Drama Theater named after M.M. Brovun

– We are celebrating for the first time, and, frankly, it is very difficult to realize. It is very important for us to return to our native harbor. And we want to be further with our huge Motherland.

Natalia Voropaeva, Scientific Secretary of the Donetsk Art Museum:

– For me, the Russian tricolor is a feeling of pride and loyalty to my homeland. This is faith, culture, love, the unity of our great multinational Russia

Igor Solonin, General Director of the Mariupol Drama Theater

– The team of our theater responded to the invitation of the Ministry of Culture of the LPR: on August 23, Lugansk residents will see one of the iconic productions from our repertoire – “A Soldier’s Soul and Share” based on the poem “Vasily Terkin” by Alexander Tvardovsky. A bright, musical, dynamic performance simply and sincerely speaks to today’s audience about something important and eternal – about perseverance, honor, dignity, fidelity to duty and love for the Motherland.

Natalia Volkova, General Director of the Donetsk Music and Drama Theater named after. MM. Brovuna, Chairman of the Union of Theater Workers of the DPR

– For the first time, the Russian tricolor in honor of the Day of the State Flag of the Russian Federation in the sky of the Donetsk People’s Republic was revealed in 2019. Even then, it seemed absolutely natural and justified for all of us, because we outlined our course for joining Russia back in 2014.

Then the militia stepped into battle – to protect their borders, their families. Repelling the attack of the Kyiv regime, we also relied on Russian symbols, because it gave us a feeling of support, a strong shoulder, it was an important sign of a future victory and a return home, to our origins.

The inhabitants of Donbass have always been a persistent and freedom-loving people. This is the land of workers – no matter what sphere of life we ​​touch. These same values ​​are reflected in our flag of the DPR, where instead of white, the top stripe is occupied by black – a symbol of fertile lands and the coal mining industry. Blue and red colors – the strength of the spirit and love for the Motherland – unite us on the flags.

Today we celebrate the holiday together, and fighters from all over Russia are fighting on the battlefield – it is the white streak, cleanliness and peace that becomes the main horizon that determines our common future.

In difficult years (starting from 2015), the demand for Russian classics has grown incredibly. Our repertoire has been enriched with the best examples of the dramatic heritage. This speaks volumes. As the head of the theatre, I know well the preferences of the audience – you can’t impose it, you can’t fake it. Chekhov, Gogol, Ostrovsky, Bunin, Yesenin, Tolstoy, Nekrasov – these names gathered full houses!