Cyprus` biggest annual open air international festival and exhibition, a collaboration emphasising the cordial relations between Russia and Cyprus will be held on Saturday June 4 in the Molos area on Limassol`s seafront.
More than 10,000 visitors are expected to congregate to the festival on the day, which begins at 3pm and continues well into the night, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display under the stars.
There will be more than 400 performers, actors, dancers and singers from both countries, participating in a non-stop concert programme that will continue for seven hours. The entertainment programme is diverse and geared towards people of different nationalities and ages, with the afternoon featuring acts and contributions for the younger age groups and building to evening official Gala Concert and the show finale with top Russian pop group, Reflex.
This year there will also be the added excitement of the special visit by 18 different cultural and artistic groups from St Petersburg, who are here to celebrate the recent `twinning` with Limassol. They will be performing in seven municipalities throughout Cyprus, culminating in two performances of the Mariinsky Ballet (Kirov) which will be presented at the Limassol Municipal Garden Theatre on June 24 and 25.
The mammoth organisation behind the scenes is a feat in itself with hundreds of sound and lighting technicians, engineers, stage hands and volunteers working to erect the various display and exhibition halls and performance areas on the day.
Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Shumsky (left) described the festival as unique. “We hold many annual economic and bussines events where Russian/Cypriot relations and commercial opportunities are promoted, but not so many cultural events: great efforts bear fruit and this major festival is very important in developing our cultural ties. Already we have seen that Russian tourist figures to Cyprus have increased by 70% in April: events like this will help to increase the numbers even more.”
Mayor Andreas Christou thanked the sponsors, the three principal ones being the Empire Group, the Russian Commercial Bank and Transbunker Group, for their generous efforts and commitment.
He added that “Moscow Municipality is always by our side of Limassol and Limassolians”, and expressed his delight that this years festival would have the added benefit of the St Petersburg cultural groups. The Festival and its significance in the cultural calendar of Limassol is especially important, as Limassol has now embarked on its bid to become the 2017 European Cultural City.
He also thanked festival director Natalia Kardash, who is also Editor in Chief of the Vestnik-Kipra Russian communications group, one of the main organisers of the event, together with Limassol Municipality and the Russian embassy.
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Tags: Cyprus open air International Festival June 4, Cyprus/Russia festival events, ecenomic and bussines events, Empire Group, Festival events in Cyprus, Limassol Municipal Garden Theatre, Molos area on Limassol, Moscow Municipality, Russia and Cyprus, Russian Tourist to Cyprus, Russian/Cypriot, St Petersburg, St Petersburg cultural groups, the 2017 European Cultural City, The Russian Commercial Bank, Transunker Group