Days of Russian Culture in Greece
September 5 – October 23 2014 Athens, Corinth, Alexandroupolis |
This autumn many Greeks and the guests of their country have been the witnesses of versatile cultural events prepared by the Russian Ministry of Culture. These events anticipated the full-scale cultural programme of the Cross-Cultural Year of Russia and Greece in 2016. Today the Days of Russian Culture in Greece is an important project that not only highlights the strong links that have always existed between our countries but also further reinforces our cultural exchange.
The programme of the Days was inaugurated with the concert of the Choir of the Sretensky Monastery on the stage of the Municipal Theatre in Alexandroupolis. One of the most famous and ancient choirs of Russia pleased the local audience with their vocal art. In the programme of the concert were spiritual chants and famous Russian national songs.
On October, 19th Russian folk band Grad-Quartet continued the programme of the Days with the breathtaking performance in Corinth. Grad-Quartet is considered to be «the new word in the modern Russian instrumental music». The musicians of the band created their own very distinct style out of the mixture of genres – they play world-famous classical and national songs on traditional Russian musical instruments. Not only they present the original versions of traditional melodies to the amazed audience all over the world but they also are the respectable ambassadors of the Russian culture and national instruments abroad. The artistic and inflammatory performances of Grad-Quartet do not leave any audience indifferent. This time the band was accompanied by the stars of the Mariinsky Theatre - Irina Mataeva (soprano) and Aleksandr Trofimov (tenor). They have presented to the audience the most famous folklore songs and romances, as well as some traditional Greek songs. The Days of Russian Culture were continued with the Vocal Evenings with Irina Mataeva and Aleksandr Trofimov in the City Hall Theatre in Athens (October, 21st) and the Municipal Theatre in Alexandroupolis (October, 23rd ). The singers performed the classical opera repertoire, famous Russian romances and folk songs, as well as a well-known Greek song that was prepared as a surprise for the local audience. Both concerts were supplemented by the masterly play of Yana Zubova, who accompanied the musicians on a grand piano.
The Days of the Russian Culture in Greece were a big success and they have become yet one more achievement on the way of the reinforcement of Russian-Greek cultural relations.