In Russia yesterday, for the first time, Culture Worker Day was observed. President Vladimir Putin signed a edict aboutthis August 28, 2007. In Tuva, today in the House of Folk Art were honored culture workers. Vice-Premier Anatolii Damba-Huurak congratulated workers of this sphere on their professional holiday. In the evening, a salutary telegram was read from the federal minister Alexander Sokolov to the people prominent in cultural matters of Tuva. "Tuva, a unique land with the richest historical and cultural traditions, is now recognized as one of the cultural centers of Russia," says the telegram. "Thanks to the initiative and endless devotion to the field by you and by the other workers, it was possible to strengthen the role of culture as one of the most important resources of the socio-economic development of modern society. The Ministry of Culture of Russia highly values your personal interest and help in preserving and developing domestic culture, and it hopes for much further fruitul collaboration. From the bottom of my heart I wish you, esteemed Sholban Valerevich, and all workers and veterans of the field of culture: good health, inexhaustible energy, creative strength, goodness, and prosperity." Minister Alexander Sokolov visited Tuva last summer, met with culture workers of the republic, and visited archeological excavations of ancient Uigur fortification Por-Bazhyn. The minister took an active position in supporting Tuvan culture and examining the question of socio-economic development of the republic at the session of the Russian government on March 13.