The event included a large number of participants: American and Russian professors and students, teachers and pupilsas well as representatives of Sister Cities International Organization.

According to VolSU rector Prof. Dr. AllaKalinina, the 60th anniversary of the flight of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into space is a significant event for the whole world as it has given the birth to scientific and technical space exploration. A resolution of the UN General Assembly was adoptedin 2011, which proclaimed April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight.

TheVolSU First Vice-Rector Dr. ValentinDzedikhighlighted that the interest of the young generation in preserving historical memory was a firm foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.

In the framework of the conference VolSU students presented their projects dedicated to Russian-American cooperation within the ISS andthe history of Moon exploration by Russian and American cosmonauts was also discussed. NASA training specialist Mr. David Bradshaw showed the video footage of the Yuri Gagarin’sflight and the video dedicated to the importance of Russian-American efforts in space exploration. Professor of the Ohio State University, PhD Pietro Shakarian outlined the importance of the first human space flight in historical terms. Professor of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after Mikhail Lomonosov Alexey Feldt spoke about the Plesetsk spaceport history and its role in the Russian cosmonautics development.

In conclusion of the event, a ceremony of laying flowers to the bust of Yuri Gagarin in theRussian Cultural Gardenin Cleveland was held online. The participants included Ms. Svetlana Stolyarova, co-founder of the Russian Cultural Garden of Cleveland public organization, Mr. Mark Kalinin, head of the Russian Cultural Center in Washington, as well as citizens of Cleveland, representatives of the Cleveland Russian-speaking community.