Monument to Russian naval hero

A monument to Captain Baron Egor Antonovich Schlippenbach was unveiled at the Msida Bastion Garden of Rest, in Floriana.

This was a joint event between the Russian Embassy and the Russian Scientific and Cultural Centre, together with Din l-Art Ħelwa, to honour the Russian naval hero buried in the garden.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a message that the event "was another manifestation of our common history and common wish to preserve it".

Mr Lavrov explained that Baron Schlippenbach served the interests of Russia in the vast waters stretching from the Nordic Seas to the Mediterranean upon graduation from the Maritime Cadet School.

"From 1827 until his death, he secured, among other sailors of the Russian squadron, the waters of the Mediterranean region, as well as the waters of the Maltese archipelago," Mr Lavrov said.

Among those present for the ceremony were Russian Ambassador Andrei Granovsky, Russian Cultural Centre director Sergei Medvedez, Din l-Art Ħelwa president Martin Galea and former presidents Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Guido de Marco.