OREANDA-NEWS. On 24 June 2009 was announced, that the same day the VI Congress of Karelians was launched in Olonets there opened the Inter-regional center for support of the Baltic and Finnish peoples of the Russian Federation.

Delegates and guests of the VIth Congress of Karelians have taken part in the opening ceremony. The prior of the Peter and Paul Cathedral of Kalevala priest Pavel Pugovkin has lead the dedication service of the center. Minister of the Republic of Karelia on National Politics and Relations with Religious Associations Andrey Manin in his statement has emphasized the importance of creation of the center in Olonets. Two subjects of the Russian Federation participate in realization of this project: Republic of Karelia and Leningrad region. The choice is proved by the fact that subjects are frontier regions of the Northwest Federal district, in their territory live many representatives of the Baltic and Finnish peoples of the Russian Federation. The center will promote coordination of activity of national public organizations, and all interested people in development of languages and cultures of the Baltic and Finnish peoples.

The noncommercial partnership is founded by administration of Olonets of national municipal region, Olonets Karelians Karelian regional public organization, League of the Baltic and Finnish peoples Karelian regional public organization at the support of the Ministry of the Republic of Karelia on National Politics and Relations with Religious Associations.

Head of the Center was elected Galina Porfireva, Karelian from the village of Obzha of Олонецкого national municipal region.

The delegation of Leningrad region led by Chairman of the Committee on information and analytical support of Leningrad region V.B.Ugryumov has visited the center, work on its expansion will continue in Lodeinoye Pole.