On the 13th of October 2016 in Bratislava at the theater "Nova scene" was held a ceremony of opening of the Festival of Russian Culture "Days of Russia in Slovakia." The opening was attended by officials of Russia and Slovakia, with a welcoming speech of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Slovak Republic, A.L. Fedotov.
The Festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Slovak Republic and Rossotrudnichestvo. The welcome letter to the participants was performed by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Slovak Republic, A.L. Fedotov.
The purpose of the Festival is the promotion and popularization of Russian culture and art in Slovakia, support of living compatriots in this country, the development of cultural and spiritual ties between two countries.
The Festival program included concerts of classical and sacred music, master classes for choral singing and cinema art, opening of various exhibitions and the Conference. To present Russian culture came best Russian ensembles and children's groups, leading soloists of the State Academic Mariinsky Theater, the leaders of the Union of theatrical figures, the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography, Russian State Library of Foreign Literature, Russian Ethnographic Museum, art schools and art groups, journalists and scholars, public figures and artists.
Festival events were held in several cities in Slovakia - Bratislava, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Zvoline, Piešťany, Prešov and others.
On the first day of the festival at the University Library in Bratislava was hosted a Conference on the theme "The holy brothers Cyril and Methodius and their spiritual heritage in the culture of Russia and Slovakia."
The culmination of the festival was the opening gala concert of the leading soloists of the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre and Chamber Orchestra "BIS-KVIT." The audience enthusiastically greeted all performers. Amazing voices of singers, exclusive ensemble program, high performance skills caused a storm of emotions among the Slovak public and the pride for Russian art from the compatriots.
Employees of Russian Center and the European Fund of Slavic Literature and Culture also attended the opening of the festival and invited their partners and friends to visit the concert.
The opening of the Festival of Russian Culture "Days of Russia in Slovakia" was widely covered in the Slovak and Russian media.
