The “Year of Russia” in India in 2008 was inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Russian Prime Minister Mr. Victor A. Zubkov, at a Gala Concert at the historical Purana Qilia, Delhi on the evening of 12th February, 2008. The large-scale event was organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Russian Federal Agency on Culture and Cinematography. In his message, PM said that “the Year of Russia in India would substantially augment our ongoing efforts to deepen our collaboration in all areas of shared interest such as culture, business and industry, science and technology and on major regional and international issues….Such a festival was held almost two decades back. Therefore, this is a significant milestone which will leave an everlasting impression on the minds of people”. Quoting President Putins’s message, PM Zubkov said that “Friendly ties between Russia and India that are developing rapidly in all different areas in a spirit of strategic partnership have always been based on respect for each other’s national traditions and unique culture”.

The gala concert started with a musical prologue with orchestra playing introduction followed by welcome speeches by the Prime Ministers of the two countries. The gala concert featured more than 300 artists and showcased ballet, theatre, fashion, a youth circus, orchestra and music and dance under various performances including – “Winter Fair”; “Olympic Winter-2014”; “Song about India”; “World Masterpieces in Russian Performing Styles”; “Songs of our People”; “Cooperation in Space”; “Such a Diverse Russia”; and “We are Together”.

Over a dozen major Russian cultural performances are being held in several cities of India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore) in the framework of the “Year of Russia” in India in 2008. These include traditional Russian classical and folk dances/music performances as well as a modern Pop band. The year 2009 would be marked as the “Year of India” in Russia.

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