The keynotes will be delivered by Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec and Vice-President of Russian Federation Council Yuri Vorobyev.

Russian Ambassador Doku Zavgajev presented to the press on Friday preparations for the event, saying that attendance from Slovenia's side was also confirmed by President Borut Pahor, Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek, Speaker Janko Veber and National Council President Mitja Bervar.

Also to attend the ceremony marking the 97th anniversary of the chapel are numerous members of parliament and mayors as well as representatives of various institutions and associations in Slovenia.

Delegations of the Russian Orthodox Church and of the State Duma arrived in Slovenia already on Thursday, while a delegation of the Federation Council is expected to arrive today. Representatives of some of the Russian regions will also be in Slovenia.

The attendees representing the country's churches include Archbishop Yevgeny of Vereya, the head of Russian Orthodox Church Education Committee, and Celje Bishop Stanislav Lipovšek.

According to Zavgajev, the interest for the event is increasing every year, also among young people.

Russia and Slovenia are also in talks about taking the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the chapel in 2016 to unveil a memorial to all Russians who lost their lives on Slovenian territory in WWI and WWII, he added.

The head of the Slovenia Russia Association Saša Geržina talked about the event in the coming years, saying next year will be marked by the 100th anniversary of the beginning of WWI, 2015 will be dedicated to business ties, while 2016 will see the 100th anniversary of the chapel.

The wooden chapel below Vršič was built by Russian POWs in 1916 after more than 300 of their comrades died in a snow slide while building the road over the mountain pass.