TGSV sponsored a commemoration ceremony unveiling the plaque in honor of Russian sailors and pioneers on Russian Hill in San Francisco on August 1st, 2005. The event was organized by TGSV in collaboration with the United Humanitarian Mission of San Francisco. The ceremony drew Mayors of San Francisco Gavin Newsom, Willie Brown, the President of San Francisco Board of Supervisors Aaron Peskinm, and the Honorable Yuri Bedjanian, Deputy Consul General of the Russian Federation.
The Russian sailors from the Russian tallship “Pallada” with their Captain Nikolay Zorchenko landed on Russian Hill of San Francisco to stand Honor Guard for 19th century forebears, who formed San Francisco’s community. During the ceremony, the plaque was formally blessed by the Eastern Orthodox Father Pavel.
“This ceremony should be considered as an important event underlining the historical connection between our two nations, the contributions the Russian people make into the multi-national and multi-cultural history and life of this beautiful city” – said the Russian Deputy Consul General Yuri Bedjanian.
“Who would have thought this small fishing village in 1850 or so would have been turned overnight to an international destination…Part of that contribution was made, of course, by the Russian people” – stated the Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom.
The Mayor Gavin Newsom officially announced the 1st of August an official Russian Hill History Commemoration Day in San Francisco.