Russian culture abroad: Russian culture festival in Switzerland

Festival of Russian culture in Switzerland was officially opened on February 10, 2011 in Lausanne.

This is a significant event in the cultural life of a Central European country, scheduled for the whole year to include about fifty events. It is conducted under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Culture and is timed to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the countries.

The idea of the festival was approved during the meeting of the presidents of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and Switzerland Doris Leuthard last August in Sochi.

Under the "mark "of the festival during 2011 will take place the performances of art groups and artists well-known in Russia and overseas, will be organized art exhibitions, literary evenings, film demonstrations, revealing the verge of a rich Russian culture.

Russian president's wife Svetlana Medvedeva addressed the guests and participants of the festival. She noted that the Russian organizers had prepared a vivid and intense program that includes performances of well-known Swiss artists and promising newcomers, and wished inspiration to the participants of the Festival, - an unforgettable experience to the audience, and success to the organizers of the joint Russian-Swiss project.