OREANDA-NEWS. October 6, 2011. The Round Table in Vologda was devoted to issues of preservation and development of Vepsians' ethnic identity, development of their language and traditional culture, arts and crafts. Representatives of bodies of the government of the Vologda and Leningrad Regions, the Republic of Karelia, local self-government of the Vologda Region, representatives of public associations have taken part in its work. Work of the Round Table was chaired by Vladimir Kasyanov, Vice-Governor of the Vologda Region.

Karelia in Vologda was represented by Elizaveta Haritonova, Vice Chairlady of the State Committee of the Republic of Kareliafor National Politics, Relations with Public and Religious Associations, and representatives of the Vepsian Culture Society Zynaida Strogalshchikova and Nina Zaitseva.

Reports of participants of the round table discussion were aimed to generalize the experience and find new forms and methods for preservation and development of language and cultural heritage of Vepsians, to introduce modern forms promoting economic and social development of places of traditional residing of Vepsians of the Vologda Region.

Participants of the discussion have paid much attention to the norms of the law focused on support of social security, in particular, awarding social pensions to citizens from among indigenous small ethnic communities of the North.

Representatives of Karelia that have participated in work of the Round Table have shared experience of implementation on realization of regional target programs of support of Vepsian language and culture, and have told about work on revival of Vepsian language and culture, implementation of the federal legislation concerning indigenous small ethnic communities of the North.

On results of the Round Table recommendations to bodies of the government and local self-government of the Vologda Region were developed which provide measures focised on social and economic development of places of traditional residing of the Vepsian population, preservation and development of Vepsian cultural heritage, expansion of information space about life of Vepsians of Vologda, expansion of cooperation between Vepsians of the Republic of Karelia and Leningrad Region.

Cooperation between the Republic of Karelia and the Vologda Region is supported within the framework of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Karelia and the Government of the Vologda Region about trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.