国际英语新闻:Moscow celebrates 870th anniversary

MOSCOW, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Massive festivities will be staged on the weekend across Moscow to mark the 870th anniversary of the city's founding.

According to the Moscow municipal government, 427 events will be held in more than 300 locations. A total of 10 million visits to these events are expected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a gala concert on Saturday in the Red Square, where he congratulated Moscow residents and visitors on City Day.

"This day is always marked by grand and festive celebrations, with people expressing their sincere love for Moscow, its centuries' old history and its contemporary achievements and their pride for our beautiful capital," he said.

Putin said a large-scale reconstruction is underway in the city to improve the quality of life for Muscovites, although the work is arduous.

Located in the East European Plain, Moscow is the capital of and the largest city in Russia as well as a major global metropolis.