On July 10 through 14, 2011, the Sydney orchestra of Russian folk instruments “Balalaika” from Australia sojourned in St.Petersburg. Assistance to this visit of the musicians was rendered by St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, in accordance with the city program for the implementation of state policy concerning the compatriots abroad, as well as by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia, Russian Embassy in Australia, and All-Russia Research Geological Institute named after A.P. Karpinskiy.
On July 10 through 14, 2011, the Sydney orchestra of Russian folk instruments “Balalaika” from Australia sojourned in St.Petersburg. Assistance to this visit of the musicians was rendered by St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, in accordance with the city program for the implementation of state policy concerning the compatriots abroad, as well as by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia, Russian Embassy in Australia, and All-Russia Research Geological Institute named after A.P. Karpinskiy.
Except for Russian compatriots, ithe international orchestra “Balalaika” includes indigenous Australians, the people originated from Holland, Scotland, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Armenia, Belarus, China. All of them are brought together through their being interested in Russian culture, music, and language. The performances of the orchestra made a success in Moscow, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, as well as in Australia and the USA.
During their stay in St.Petersburg, the musicians successfully conducted three concerts.
On July 11, the orchestra performed at the stage of the All-Russia Geological Research Institute named after A.P. Karpinski.
On July 12, they gave a concert at Smolny Cathedral, for all of St.Petersburg residents interested in folk music.
On July 13, the orchestra “Balalaika” performed for veterans and residents of besieged Leningrad, living in Pavlovsk, at the local Center for Culture, Cinema, and Pastime.
Along with the musicians, Igor Kazimirovich Savitskiy arrived in St.Petersburg, Chairman of the Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots in Australia and Member of the World Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots, whose initiatives and support made it possible to arrange the concerts of the orchestra “Balalaika” in Russia.
For the participants of the orchestra, a rich cultural program was provided by St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations. The musicians visited the State Hermitage Museum, St.Isaac's Cathedral, Our Savior on the Blood Cathedral, the State Museum of St.Petersburg History, and Peter and Paul Fortress, as well as Peterhof.
Further information can be obtained at St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, contact person: Alexander Ganin, tel. (812) 576-7513, e-mail: compatriots@kvs.gov.spb.ru
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