The sun shone brightly on the tall marigolds, which adorned the glass backdrop and stone. Key organizers of the Bakery-Café revitalization project, television and camera crews, "Uslada Youth Choir", our "Friends in Unity", as well as interested spectators assembled for the ceremonial stone-setting ceremony. Under Vladimir Tolstoy's guidance, after many helpful hands of preparation what followed was a two continent-festive ceremony of gratitude. In his words of welcome, Vladimir Il'ich recalled the memory of the former café which once provided services to visitors of Yasnaya Polyana as well as explained the plans for the new bakery café revitalization project. Explaining the presence of the Doukhobor participants in this project and guest choir, he said that it is not by chance that they participate today, but because of the circumstance that necessitated leaving their homeland and migrating to Canada. Further he said that the people still remember Lev Tolstoy and in gratitude for his assistance, they wish to take part in this Yasnaya Polyana project. With these words, Vladimir presented the Honorary Chairman of the USCC, John J. Verigin.

Yasnaya Polyanochka Choir

Mr. Verigin, in his speech explained that it is a great honour to be here for this ceremony and participate in this project. He recalled that several years ago when he was strolling through the paths of Yasnaya Polyana with Vladimir's father - Ilya Vladimirivich, they discussed the possibility of participating in a shared project which would bring our people closer through the Verigins and the Tolstoys. Ultimately Ilya did arrive in Canada to accomplish the placement of the two memorial statues of Leo Tolstoy, one in Saskatchewan and one in British Columbia. In regards to the Bakery Café project, he prayed to God to bless this undertaking which will draw us closer and give the public at large the chance to understand the feeling love and respect we have for one another.

Alex Jmaeff who serves on the Centennial Steering Committee of the Yasnaya Polyana Bakery Café project addressed the crowd next. (Click here for the full text of Alex Jmaeff's speech.)

Vladimir Il'ich asked Kolya Suborbaev, the young architect from Tula to say a few words. He said that receiving this bakery café contract was a great achievement for him and he is pleased at the prospect of working on this project. He further added that today's ceremony - the placement of the stone, the symbolic opening is of great significance and he expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Il'ich, the Canadian Doukhobors, especially Alex Jmaeff and Peter Rezansoff, the professionals with whom he worked.