On Saturday, November 19, Russia marked the 300th anniversary of the birth of a great Russian scientist and thinker Mikhail Lomonosov. Many celebrating events were held in different cities of Russia.

      Mikhail Lomonosov is a unique and mysterious person in Russian and world history, the first Russian natural scientist of world renown. Being equally talented in various sciences, he made several world-shaking discoveries in physics, chemistry, astronomy, literature, history and other sciences and arts. Lomonosov became the author of idea to found the Moscow State University, which is currently named after him.

      So, no wonder that main celebrations took place in that University. Students laid flowers to the monument of Mikhail Lomonosov near the journalism department on the Mokhovaya Street. Then, in the University's mail building, there was a ceremonial meeting with participation of members of the Government, prominent scientists and representatives of several international organizations. 

      At the same time, the "Lomonosov Assembly" event was held in the "Metropol" hotel. About 300 pupils talented in different disciplines were invited to receive anniversary medals and awards. They were also presented with illustrated encyclopedias "Lomonosov", which had been specially issued for the Russian enlightener's anniversary. Later there was a celebratory concert.

      Withing the framework of a relay race "The Torch of Knowledge", its members carried the torch through several big Moscow streets with the finishing line in the Lomonosov square in front of the main building of the Moscow University. Earlier the torch had been brought from the Arkhangelsk region, Lomonosov's birthplace.

      Arkhangelsk also marked the anniversary of their great compatriot. The ceremonial laying of the first foundation stone of a new scientific library took place near the Northern (Arctic) University, on the Lomonosov avenue.

      In St. Petersburg a commemoration ceremony was made at the Lomonosov's grave in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Some representatives of scientific and cultural circles came to the patrimonial burial vault of Lomonosov's family. 

      At noon, on November 19, a volley of Petroravlov fortress's signal gun was fired in memory of Mikhail Lomonosov. There was also an international scientific conference dedicated to the anniversary, which was held in Alexandrovsky lycee, in St. Petersburg.  

Sources: Vesti.ru KM Regnum.ru Image: World Art