On the 10th of February diplomats and officials of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria celebrated their professional holiday.

They laid wreaths and flowers at the monument of Count Ignatiev /Russian statesman, diplomat and general/ in Sofia. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation – His Excellency. Mr. Yuri Nikolaevich Isakov, the military, air and naval attaché, embassy staff and representatives of the Russian Cultural and Information Centre.
The Day of the Diplomatic Worker in Russia was established by Decree № 1279 from October 31st, 2002 of President Vladimir Putin. It states: "A Day of the diplomatic worker is established and is to be celebrated on the 10th of February." The date is not accidental. It is connected with the history of the first foreign institution in Russia – the Ambassadorial Office. On this day in 1549 this institution is mentioned for the first time. By order of the king of Russia Ivan the Terrible it is headed by the church minister Ivan Mikhailovich Viskovatov, who must deal with "the work of the ambassadors."
Since 2002, all Russian diplomats worldwide celebrate their professional holiday in different ways: they place flowers on memorial diplomacy places, organize celebrations, receptions. For 14 years now,in the Kremlin Palace are held solemn ceremonies at which officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are rewarded with titles and badges of excellence.

Photos: "Diplomatic spectrum" magazine.