Celebrating Russia

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

They came with one purpose: to celebrate with people of the world's biggest country.

Guests filed into The Jamaica Pegasus hotel to celebrate the National Day of the Russian Federation on Tuesday. Despite its long history, the adoption of the declaration that ushered the 'new' Russian state took place as recent as June 12, 1990. But there's no denying Russia's impact on the world, including its production of the coveted natural gas.

Videos in the reception area showed the best of Russian life and customs as expatriates and locals mingled during cocktails. Ambassador Victor Zotin saluted his country's growth, while acknowledging the partnership with Jamaica, whether through tourism, education or mining. Dr Ken Baugh, foreign affairs minister, also highlighted the bilateral camaraderie of both nations, quipping that when Russia hosts the 2018 football World Cup, he hopes the Reggae Boyz would be among the number.

Among those out were Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez, European Union head Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and wife Fiela, Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice, Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño and husband Alex Crowther, Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi and wife Yoko, German Ambassador Jurgen Engel, Brazilian Ambassador Antonio DaCosta, Ramon and Deidre Corvera and daughter Winnie, Ambassador Maxine Roberts and sister Valerie, Ambassador Paul Robotham, Arnold and Patricia Foote, Robert MacMillan, Richard and Diana Stewart, Lachu Ramchandani and Samantha Brown, Lt Cmdr James Rachal and Anna Evans, Rear Admiral Peter Brady and wife Carol, Leo and Irena Cousins, Audrey Russell, Lois Lake Sherwood, Clelia Barreto de Hunter, Capt Michael and Thalia Lyn, and Kenneth Shaw.