History of the Udmurt Republic

Initially, the Northern Udmurts joined Russia when Moscow was gathering and uniting Russian lands. This stage was completed in 1489 under Ivan III when the Vyatka land joined the Grand Princedom of Moscow.

The beginning of the second stage is dated October 1552, when Ivan IV army captured Kazan. The Southern Udmurts were the first of the Kazan Khanate non-Tatar peoples to "make obeisance" to the tsar pleading for their voluntary integration into Russia.

Finally, in 1558, all Udmurts became Russian subjects, and since then Udmurtia has been inseparably tied to Russia. This promoted the development of the national identity and spiritual culture of the Udmurt people through cooperation and mutually beneficial cultural exchanges with other ethnic groups living in Russia.

The celebrations of the 400th and 425th anniversaries of Udmurtia's joining Russia held in 1958 and 1983 at a high state level brightly demonstrated the success of its development as a part of Russia.

On June 20, 1958 the Udmurt Autonomous Socialist Republic was awarded the Order of Lenin, a number of the republic's outstanding citizens received the title of the Hero of Socialist Labor, other high state awards were given to distinguished people of Udmurtia.

The «With Russia, Forever and Ever» monument erected in commemoration of the 425th anniversary of Udmurtia's voluntary joining Russia is a symbol of Udmurt-Russian unity.

Today Udmurtia is a region characterized by high rates of socioeconomic development, it's numerous ethnic groups live in peace and harmony as good neighbors.

The celebration of the 450th anniversary of Udmurtia's voluntary entry into the Russian state is bound to become another milestone confirming the soundness of the choice made by our ancestors and presenting today's achievements of one of the country's regions. This event, undoubtedly, will strengthen the unity of the peoples of the multinational Russian Federation, promote friendship, harmony and mutual understanding between them, and contribute to the prosperity of Russia, the great country where we all live.