On the Day of Cosmonautics, Saratov University delegation went to the memorial complex “Yu.A. Gagarin’s Landing Place” where a meeting “Saratov Region – a Discoverer of Space Era” took place. Celebrations were attended by the Rector A.N. Chumahenko, Students and Graduate Students’ Council Chair G.I. Bolotov and about 150 students.
April 12 is a special day for Saratov. Celebratory events at the Gagarin’s landing place is a tradition. The celebration in honor of the 55th anniversary of the first space flight gathered Saratov Regiona Governor V.V. Radaev, regional Duma Chair V.V. Kapkaev, Chief Federal Inspector in Saratov Region M.V. Aleshina, Saratov Administration Head V.N. Saraev and others.
The Day of Cosmonautics celebrations had honored guests including cosmonauts S.V.Avdeev, A.N. Balandin, Yu.G. Shargin, test-cosmonauts I.V. Vagner, D.A. Petelin, A.V. Fediaev. At the Gagarin field, there also were a first cosmonaut’s friend T.A. Chugunov with his family and R.A. Nurskanova who was among the first to meet Yuri Gagarin on Saratov land after the landing. Among the participants were academics V.S. Porokhnia, S.I. Nefedov, V.F. Farenkov, Roskosmos representatives, the Russian Law Academy Rector O.I. Aleksandrova, members of public organization “Officers of Russia”.
Governor V.V. Radaev opened the ceremony. He said the flight to the Earth’s orbit was the greatest historical event that opened space piloted flights era. “A country that won a very difficult war, paved a road into space only 16 years after. Even today, these victories bring us insurance that Russia and its people, full of creative energy, would make many new great achievements!” said the region’s head in his address.
Hero of Russia, pilot-cosmonaut Yu.G. Shargin congratulated his fellow citizens on this date. “I remember when I was at school we would come to Gagarin field on April 12, it was a good tradition; I hope it would stay the same for tomorrow’s school students. Gagarin’s memory is carefully preserved on Saratov land. I think April 12 is the second major holiday фаерук the Victory Day that unites the people of our country”, said Yu.G. Shargin.
The program also included a video conference with the International Space Station. ISS members sent their congratulations to the holiday participants at Gagarin field.
Then the guests lay flowers to Yu.A. Gagarin’s monument and watch a concert. Additionally, there was a “Gagarin Field” autocross, part of Russian championship, and exhibition show by pilot group “Rus”.
The trip was the final accord of the “SSU Space Marathon” that was organized by Students and Graduate Students’ Council and the Office of Educational Work for the fifth time. On the way back, Saratov University students shared their impressions about visiting the memorial. They sang patriotic songs and shared interesting facts about the first cosmonaut.
According to the holiday participants, events like this are very important for the development of young people. The Day of Cosmonautics becomes more and more popular. Students are not afraid that they have to get up early and travel far. They like visiting Gagarin’s landing place to get to know the history of our country and region better.
