Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Meeting with Cuban schoolchildren, winners of the contests “I Draw Russia” and “I Read Russia”
Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Ambassador, boys and girls, I’m glad to be here. I was at the Havana Book Fair in February, and that gave us the idea to invite you to Moscow and other Russian cities. So, here you are. Do you like it here?
Audience: Si! (Yes!)
Dmitry Medvedev: You did so well then, and there was such a special atmosphere that I couldn’t help inviting you to Russia and showing you our country. It’s an enormous and interesting country, and it’s also a friend of Cuba.
Our countries have had friendly relations since Cuba became a modern independent state. There are, and have always been, many students from your country pursuing studies in Russia. However, it is also important to have Cuban schoolchildren come to Russia.
There are many things to see in Russia. You have already spent a few days with us in Moscow, Russia’s capital. Next, they will take you to a wonderful place called camp Orlyonok, formerly known as a young pioneer camp. I hope you'll like it. It’s by the sea. Maybe it’s not as warm as yours, but it’s still a nice place. There will be many boys and girls there, and I hope you will make new friends and that you will always remember your first visit to Russia Maybe some of you will go to university in Russia when you’re older. This is very important for us, and it’s a valuable investment in the future of relations between Russia and Cuba.
I hope that you’ll enjoy your time in Russia.
When I was your age, I also wore a pioneer tie, but, unfortunately, I did not have the chance to visit Cuba. I guess I wasn’t as lucky as you.
I work in this building, and lots of other people work here, too. This is the Government of the Russian Federation. We take important decisions here, including ones that concern relations between our countries.
I’d be very interested to hear your impressions of Moscow. What did you like most about it? It can be anything.
Remark (via interpreter): I liked the architecture and the parks.
Dmitry Medvedev: It's cold now. Normally it’s warmer in July. It’ll get warmer soon. The weather will be fine at the Black Sea.
What exactly did you like about the architecture
Reply: We were impressed by Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Church of Christ the Saviour.
Dmitry Medvedev: Did you go inside?
Reply: No, we didn’t, but we still liked it.
Dmitry Medvedev: Moscow is a very big city. Over 12 million people live in Moscow and its suburbs. If you include visitors, the number comes to 15 million.
Remark: I liked all the places that we saw. We loved the circus a lot. We were at the circus yesterday.
Dmitry Medvedev: Oh, the circus! I hope you saw the show and not just the building. Did you see the show?
Reply: Yes, we did.
Dmitry Medvedev: That’s great. The Russian circus is very good. What did you like most in the show?
Reply: The elephants.
Dmitry Medvedev: The elephants, I see. Everyone likes the elephants!
Remark: We would like to thank you for the invitation. It’s so exciting. It’s like a dream come true.
Dmitry Medvedev: I'm really glad you came, because Russia is so far away from your country and there are lots of issues with organising such a trip. I hope you’ll like Russia and will come visit us when you grow up.
Remark: We hope so, too.
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