Photo credit: pastinfo.am
Representatives of Russia took part in the celebrations dedicated to the five hundredth anniversary of Havana, TASS reported. The festivities that began last weekend brought many guests from abroad. Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko arrived in Cuba on behalf of the Russian authorities. Street festivals, concerts, exhibitions and a large firework were held by the anniversary date.
The authorities tried to put in order the historical sights, architectural monuments of both the colonial period and the new time. One of them was the Capitol, where the country's parliament sits. The dome of the historic building was restored by Russian specialists.
The Russian restorers were awarded with Cuban Friendship medals. More than fifty people received awards from the hands of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. In addition, two Russian enterprises were awarded. Russian restorers also worked on the restoration of the statue of the Republic inside the Capitol building. The height of the monument exceeds eighteen meters. It is mounted on a marble pedestal that was brought from Egypt almost a century ago. The sculpture is the third highest in the world of those that are under the roof. In one hand it holds a spear, in the other - a coat of arms.
Another anniversary gift was the performance of Russian ballet dancers at a gala concert held at the Bolshoi Theater of Havana. Ten soloists from leading Petersburg theaters arrived in Havana, including Denis Matvienko, Yuri Smekalov and Oksana Skorik.
According to Yuri Smekalov, Russian performers in Havana have a very important cultural mission. He is sure that it is necessary to develop cooperation between Russian choreographers and Cuban dancers. The choreographer hopes that it will reach a new, higher level. He promised to help Cuban performers to open their potential on the largest stages of the world.
Russkiy Mir
