In the Nizhny Novgorod region, 26 mothers of large families were honored for their special contribution to raising children.

      On September 29, a ceremonial awarding of mothers of large families with honorary diplomas of the first, second and third degrees took place in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin for their significant contribution to raising children and strengthening the institution of the family. The organizer of the annual event was the Ministry of Social Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

      About 120 guests took part in the ceremony, including 26 mothers of large families who were awarded honorary diplomas and cash prizes. The decision to confer the awards was made by the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin.

      It should be recalled that in the Year of the Family the amount of the cash prizes attached to the honorary diplomas was significantly increased: for the first-degree diploma — from 20,000 to 100,000 rubles; for the second-degree diploma — from 15,000 to 75,000 rubles; for the third-degree diploma — from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles.

      Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Andrey Checherin thanked the region’s mothers of large families for their selfless, sometimes very difficult but important work, their commitment to traditional family values and their relentless efforts to strengthen them.

      “My deepest bow to you, dear women! Russia has always rested on large and strong families. And the role of the mother in them as the keeper of the hearth is hard to overestimate. Thank you!” said the deputy governor.

      As noted by the region’s Minister of Social Policy Igor Sedykh, the Nizhny Novgorod Region can confidently be called “a territory of large families.” To date, more than 36,000 such families live in the region. Among them are many multi-generational large families, where children from large families continue the traditions of their parents by creating their own large families. Their active life stance contributes not only to the socio-economic development of the region but also to the strengthening of moral and spiritual values in society.

      “For the entire region this award has special significance. It emphasizes that a strong large family is the foundation of a strong region and country. Supporting parents of large families is an investment in the future, in happy children and a healthy society,” Igor Sedykh emphasized.

      Among those awarded the Honorary Diploma for Mothers of Large Families of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, First Degree, is Marianna Aleshaevna Akopyan, a resident of the Kanavinsky District of Nizhny Novgorod. Together with her husband Graat Sarkisovich she is raising 15 children. Love and mutual understanding prevail in the Akopyan family. For being a worthy example in raising children and preserving Orthodox and family traditions, Marianna Aleshaevna has been honored with various letters of appreciation.

      “If God gives a family children, then it is ordained from above. I believe that each child sent to a family has their own purpose and exerts a certain influence on our life and destiny,” said Marianna Aleshaevna.

      Lyudmila Valeryevna Kuznetsova, a resident of the Sokolsky Municipal District, together with her husband raised five children, and since 2008 has also been raising foster children along with her biological children. Currently, 10 minor children live in the family, and in total 24 children have passed through the caring hands of this mother of many children. Lyudmila Valeryevna’s main secret as a mother of many children is endless love for all her children. Today she was presented with the Honorary Diploma for Mothers of Large Families of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Second Degree.

      “I am glad that children’s laughter never dies out in my family. The youngest child is now three years old, which means there is a whole life ahead. With each child it is as if you are born anew and live through all the important life stages again: childhood, adolescence, youth. And the most important reward for me is the sincere love of my children, as well as the grandchildren, of whom there are already six,” Lyudmila Valeryevna shared.

      It should be recalled that support for families with children is one of the priority directions of the new national project “Family,” which is being implemented in Russia from 2025 at the initiative of the country’s president, Vladimir Putin. It succeeds the previously operating national projects “Demography” and “Culture” and includes measures that contribute to the comprehensive development of families: expanding support measures, creating conditions for active longevity for the older generation, and ensuring high-quality and accessible medical care.

      List of awardees:

      Awarded the Honorary Diploma for Mothers of Large Families of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, First Degree:

      1) Marianna Aleshaevna Akopyan, Kanavinsky District, Nizhny Novgorod;

      2) Elena Nikolaevna Pokrovskaya, Avtozavodsky District, Nizhny Novgorod;

      3) Lyudmila Viktorovna Saburova, Koverninsky Municipal District.

      Awarded the Honorary Diploma for Mothers of Large Families of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Second Degree:

      1) Irina Gennadyevna Bagrova, Gorodetsky Municipal District;

      2) Olga Mikhailovna Gracheva, Prioksky District, Nizhny Novgorod;

      3) Natalia Sergeevna Zhelnova, Urensky Municipal District;

      4) Lyudmila Valeryevna Kuznetsova, Sokolsky Municipal District;

      5) Nadezhda Vladimirovna Lapina, Moskovsky District, Nizhny Novgorod;

      6) Larisa Nikolaevna Modina, Vyksa Urban District;

      7) Valentina Yuryevna Skalina, Navashinsky Municipal District;

      8) Olga Gennadyevna Tsyplenkova, Vachsky Municipal District.

      Awarded the Honorary Diploma for Mothers of Large Families of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Third Degree:

      1) Nadezhda Valeryevna Bogateeva, Kstovsky Municipal District;

      2) Oksana Aleksandrovna Borkova, Pervomaysk Urban District;

      3) Natalia Ivanovna Buntikova, Voskresensky Municipal District;

      4) Nadezhda Aleksandrovna Dolgashova, Krasnobakovsky Municipal District;

      5) Yulia Aleksandrovna Ermakova, Volodarsky Municipal District;

      6) Nadezhda Sergeevna Zaitseva, Sharangsky Municipal District;

      7) Elena Valeryevna Kiryayeva, Dzerzhinsk Urban District;

      8) Polina Sergeevna Mozhaeva, Ardatovsky Municipal District;

      9) Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Nenazhenko, Sovetsky District, Nizhny Novgorod;

      10) Lyudmila Mikhailovna Poluektova, Bogorodsky Municipal District;

      11) Olga Anatolyevna Fedorova, Sarov Urban District;

      12) Maria Vladimirovna Khaeva, Sosnovsky Municipal District;

      13) Kseniya Sergeevna Shashkina, Gaginsky Municipal District;

      14) Irina Gennadyevna Shtykareva, Lyskovsky Municipal District;

      15) Alexandra Petrovna Yagidarova, Tonshaevsky Municipal District.

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