Greetings from the Head of the House of Romanoff to the Organizers and Participants of the International Forum “Intellectual Property in the Twenty-First Century”

Greetings from the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna, to the Organizers and Participants of the International Forum “Intellectual Property in the Twenty-First Century”

I send my heartfelt greetings to the participants of the Forum “Intellectual Property in the Twenty-First Century,” which, for the first time ever, is an international gathering.

This Forum is extremely important for our country. Russia is a great nation, blessed with vast natural resources. But its greatness depends on whether we all—from our leaders in government to each and every private citizen—wisely and properly use the wealth God gave this nation for the good of present and future generations, or whether we foolishly and thoughtlessly squander it.

The modern world is developing faster and faster. In order to succeed in this highly competitive environment, it is necessary constantly to modernize. And in modernizing, it is necessary to recognize that real progress is impossible without tradition, and, further, that tradition will wither and die out if it is not likewise allowed to evolve in ways that express its continuing relevance in a changing world.

At this Forum, “Intellectual Property in the Twenty-First Century,” a wide range of issues will be discussed, touching on how to preserve Russia’s thousand-year-old spiritual and cultural legacy, and how to address some of today’s most pressing problems. Chief among these is the effort to guarantee freedom and the dignity of the individual, and the right of all to fulfill their full potential.

I am certain that the unity of our unshakeable faith, our common hope for a better future, our love of our country, our firm resolve, and our intellectual capacities will together assure true modernization in Russia.

I wish you all a successful Forum. May the Lord keep and preserve you all!

H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna

Issued in Madrid
April 19, 2011