The republic continues to prepare for the anniversary of one of its oldest towns, Olonets. On September 29 it will turn 360 years. Activities included in the plan of celebrating this significant date were discussed on August 19 at the session of the steering committee created in the beginning of this year on behalf of the Head of the republic Sergey Katanandov. The steering committee is chaired by Assistant to the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Karelia Valery Boinich.

By the forthcoming anniversary in Olonets region there will be implemented several large projects. As the Head of Administration of the region Victor Efremov has told, "everything goes according to the plan."

The town has already received one of the holiday gifts – in June there opened the Central regional hospital which is the most advanced medical institution in the republic equipped with the newest facilities and diagnostic equipment.

On the eve of the anniversary there will open the reconstructed Church of the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God where restoration goes now at full speed. Wooden floors and beams were replaced in the church. The project supposed to build a spherical roof over the sanctuary, one porch on the metal frame with metal fencing in the southern part of the church, replacement of bars on windows and doors with decorative lattices, replacement of doors, etc. Now on the object there goes internal and external decoration work.

The Soldier Liberator Monument in Olonets will be restored and the space around it will be beautified. Merchant Kuttoev's House, the monument of history and culture of Olonets region, will open after restoration. Besides, the town park will be cleared up.

By the end of August road repairs in Olonets will be completed for which, according to the order of the Head of Karelia, it has been allocated 10 million roubles. In total, there will be repaired 7 streets. Four central streets of Olonets will be pathed at the expense of the local budget. Facades of houses in the central part of the town are supposed to be painted.

The festival scheduled for September 26, Saturday, will begin with the ceremonial service in the Church of the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God. There will pass the ceremony of laying wreaths to the Soldier Liberator Monument. This day there will take place exhibitions, festivals, cultural events.

Olonets was granted status of the town in 1649, however, the first record of the settlement dates back to 1137. The town may be justly considered the center of national culture in Karelia, as it is the only town in the republic where more than 60% of the population are Karelians.

http://gov.karelia.ru/ 

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