"An Invitation Letter to Visit My Native Town”

Flat Yaroslav Gostev 56

4, Severnaya Street,

Vladimir,

Russia

March 5, 2012

Hello everybody,

I am writing this letter to tell you about my birthplace, the ancient town of Vladimir. I want you to love it as I do.

My name is Yaroslav. I am 14. I am the pupil of the 8^th form. My school number is 21. It is situated in Mir Street. I have been living in Vladimir since my birthday. I am a very happy boy. I have got a mother, a father, two grannies and my elder brother. They all love me and of course I love them, too.

When I was a little boy I knew nothing but my cosy flat in Severnaya Street in a 10-storied house. At that time my street seemed to me very big and beautiful. I played in the yard watched the birds and gathered nice flowers. I had some troubles with my health. I could not move myself well. That is why I had no friends. But my mother has always been with me. Then I got older. And the world around me changed greatly.

Now I am interested in History very much. It is my favourite subject. I do my best to find some interesting facts from the history of my country and my native town. You know, it's very exciting. I have found out that Vladimir was founded in 988. Just simply imagine how old it is! But if you do the city you will see that it is very modern and really beautiful. Vladimir is one of the biggest cities of the Golden Tourist Ring. It is famous for its monuments, churches and cathedrals. If you come to my place I'll certainly take you to the Cathedral of Dormition, the symbol of Russian grandeur. When I visited it for the first time I enjoyed the beauty of its frescos painted by Andrei Rublev and Daniil Chorny. I am sure you'll understand me when you'll see the main cathedral of the Vladimir Principality yourself.

Have you ever seen the Golden Gates? I know that there are the Golden gates almost in all ancient Russian towns. I believe that Vladimir rare monument of Old Russian military architecture is the best.  Don't you trust me? Then come and make sure yourself.

I am very proud of being the citizen of my native town, because a lot of famous Russian people were born and lived in Vladimir, among them the Stoletov and Taneyev brothers. The prominent Russian thinker and writer Alexander Herzen lived and worked in Vladimir in the 19^th century.

Not long ago I came across the name of Mikhail Mikhailovich Speransky (1772 –1839) and got very interested in his biography. You see, I think that we have much in common. I found out that he was born in Cherkutino Vladimir region. Count Speransky was probably the greatest of Russian reformers during the reign of Alexander I of Russia. He was a close advisor to Tsar Alexander I of Russia and later to Tsar Nicholas I. He is sometimes called the father of Russian liberalism. My dream is to become a real citizen of my country and I'll try to do my best.

Are you interested in the history of our country? What sights can one visit in your native town? I would like you to write me back.

Sincerely yours

Yaroslav Gostev

P.S. I hope you will come to visit my native town soon.

Done by Gostev Yaroslav

School 21, form 8

The town of Vladimir