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Welcoming address by Evgenia Mikhailova,
Rector of the North-Eastern Federal University
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear colleagues,
To the Yakut people, 3 is a magic number, symbolizing the past, the present
and the future. Symbolically, our second conference “Linguistic and Cultural
Diversity in Cyberspace” is taking place here, in Yakutia, precisely three years
after the first such forum.
This conference provides a unique opportunity for expanding intercultural
dialogue, establishing closer ties between communities across the globe and
promoting solidarity, friendship, mutual understanding and support.
As a representative of the Sakha people, I can say that we take pride in our
cultural heritage, just like other peoples and nations feel proud of theirs.
According to a Yakut saying, “the Sakha are a hospitable people; friends are
their true wealth” (“саха ыалдьытымсах, кини дођотторунан баай”). And
indeed, the more friends one makes, the richer and stronger he or she becomes.
We are thankful to all of the forum’s delegates for having brought us the joy of
new encounters and new friendships.
We appreciate your sincere interest and admire your commitment to working
for the benefit of the world community.
Evgenia Mikhailova
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