A Service of Remembrance for the Victims of Kemerovo

Svetlana Ostrikova, Vice-Rector for Cultural and Educational Activities, started the gathering with these words,
“We meet on a national day of mourning to honour the memory of dozens of people who died on 25^th March in the 'Winter Cherry' Shopping Centre in Kemerovo. Death, especially untimely death, is always a tragedy. And the death of children is doubly tragic. So we are gathered on University Square to express our solidarity with the people of Kemerovo, and send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this terrible catastrophe."

Alexander Mamatov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Informatisation, appealed to those present with a request to support each other, respect, protect and treat each other with love not only during this difficult time, but at all times. He also expressed his condolences and asked everyone to turn their thoughts to the relatives of those who died, who are in need of support.

Vladislav Skibin, Chairman of the Student Union and a student at the Pedagogical Institute, spoke on behalf of the students of BSNRU.
At the end of the meeting, the participants honoured the memory of those killed in the tragedy with a minutes silence, and released white balloons into the skies of Belgorod.