p Dear comrades,

p Allow me to wish success to the fruitful work of your conference. This is a formal opening, and that’s why it sounds so formal and dry.

p Of course, tongues might be wagged successfully and fruitfully here, in Rostov, and things be bungled at home. And so when it comes to your actual work at home, at the collective farms, state farms, in every branch of agriculture, I cannot speak drily, and from the bottom of my heart I wish you success, and I beg you: my dear countrymen and countrywomen, please don’t fail us.

p Try your hardest, please don’t disgrace our glorious region!

p With hope and confidence in your future successes, I shake your hands.

1964