Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Undoubtedly, the history of the city of Bendery is multifaceted. Many empires have left their bright mark here. A lot of great people passed through the city of Bendery. Epochs changed, empires changed... The city of Bendery received its main development after Bessarabia joined the Russian Empire. Of course, there were wars and battles before that. There are bronze images of well-known commanders mounted near the walls of the Bendery fortress: these are Generalissimo Suvorov, Field Marshal Kutuzov, Barclay de Tolly, General Kulnev, Field Marshal Vorontsov, and many others. This land received further development through their efforts, the efforts of Russian commanders, the Russian army.
The city of Bendery as part of the Russian Empire played an important role in protecting the southern borders. There is a memorial complex where the names of five thousand soldiers of the Russian Empire are buried and established in the city of Bendery. These are soldiers, officers, generals, defenders of the Fatherland. These warriors belonged to one hundred and fifteen regiments of the Russian Imperial Army. They defended this land. It was in Bendery that the famous Podolsk 55th Infantry Regiment was stationed. The monument that was erected in the city of Bendery – an eagle with spread wings – was created with the money of soldiers and officers of the Podolsk 55th Infantry Regiment and today is a symbol of the city of Bendery.
The next stage is the Soviet Union, Soviet power, defense of our Fatherland, the Great Patriotic War, further development, creation. A lot can be said, a lot has already been said, but you know, military history stands out against the background of general history, cultural and historical history, unfortunately. This is a tragedy. War is always bad.
The history of the city of Bendery is peculiar. Residents of Bendery always had their own character and defended their native land. This was the case in the 90s, when Moldovan nationalists tried to break the spirit and will of Bendery residents, not only Bendery residents, but all Pridnestrovie. The culmination, the denouement of the whole tragedy took place precisely in the city of Bendery. Bendery is the City of Military Glory. I would really like our military history to be stopped. We've had enough military history, that’s enough. The city of Bendery has such a rich military history that it is probably enough for many countries in the world. I want a different history – history of peace, development, positivity, culture, love. We are moving in this direction. The city of Bendery had its downfalls, had its tragedies, nevertheless we are developing, despite the most difficult situations that arise in Pridnestrovie. Even during a pandemic, when the whole world stopped, we did not do this, we continued to build and develop. That’s why we need to have time to make Pridnestrovie a flourishing region.
There is common sense; we all understand that very tragic events are happening around us of course. There is a war going on all around us. Unfortunately, this is a fact. I always see one question in your eyes: what will happen next? Listen to your President: everything will be fine. Everything will be fine, because everything depends on us. You can't live in the past, under any circumstances. We must remember the past for the sake of the future. It doesn't matter where we are, it matters who we are. Please love, give birth to children, build, create, love beauty, and everything will be fine. Everything will be fine.
Dear residents of Bendery, I would like to focus in conclusion on those people thanks to whom we have what our eyes see. Roman Dmitrievich made a report, summed up the results, said useful words, but by and large, everyone will see everything: how the city of Bendery is being transformed, how people of different nationalities and different confessions live in it. We have absolutely no phobias towards each other based on nationality or religion. This is wonderful.
A new order was approved by presidential decree – the Order of Potemkin-Tavrichesky, a great man who added southern lands to the Russian Empire, thanks to which he secured the life of the Russian Empire on the southwestern borders. It was Potemkin-Tavrichesky who besieged the fortress, after which he lived in the city of Bendery for almost a year, leaving the brightest mark on the history of the city. So, the Order of Potemkin-Tavrichesky was approved by decree of the President. The status of this order presupposes its awarding for military merit or for the development of the defense capability of our state. It will be very fair if this order under number 001 is awarded to the city of Bendery, the City of Military Glory. I am convinced that this presentation will give a good start, a good basis for a correct understanding of the essence of this order.
I am convinced that Bendery is a city of a good future, which will be a center of attraction for tourists, guests, and will be cozy for Bendery residents, children and the elderly. This is what I wish for all of us.