Attending the event, on Vietnam's side were Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Mr. Nguyen Hoa Binh; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Mr. Nguyen Van Hung; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Russian Federation Mr. Dang Minh Khoi.

On the Russian Federation side were Mr. Andrey Yatskin, First Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Council; Ms. O.B.Liubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by about 1,000 spectators who are Russians and Vietnamese living, studying and working in the Russian Federation.

Delegates attending the Opening Ceremony of Vietnamese Cultural Days 2024 in Russia (Photo: toquoc.vn)

Culture, sports and tourism cooperation is increasingly effective and developing rapidly

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung said, on nearly 75 years of establishing diplomatic relations, 30 years of signing the Treaty on the basic principles of friendly relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, along with the development of friendly relations and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, culture, sports and tourism cooperation between the two countries is increasingly close, effective and receiving remarkable developments, and people-to-people exchanges have been increasingly strengthened.

One of the opening performances of the Opening Ceremony by artists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music (Photo: toquoc.vn)

Russia - a country with a long and great history, is not only endowed with magnificent natural beauty but also possesses a huge treasure of cultural heritage, with many captivating architectural works of art, it is the hometown of world-famous writers and poets; along with that are unique cultural festivals.

Vietnam is also proud of its rich history, cultural traditions, natural tourism resources, diverse and unique cultural resources with 33 natural and cultural heritage properties recognized by UNESCO. Vietnamese people are friendly and hospitable.

At the latest World Travel Awards, Vietnam has always been voted Asia's Leading Tourist Destination; Asia's leading cultural destination; Asia's leading culinary destination and many other prestigious awards," said MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung.

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung speaking at the event (Photo: toquoc.vn)

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung declared, the Opening Ceremony of Vietnamese Cultural Days 2024 in Russia is the opening event for a series of art performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and Vietnam tourism introduction programmes... taking place in Moscow, the ancient capital of St.Petersburg and Ulyanovsk city, with unique cultural spaces, promising to bring to Russian friends the image of a "safe, friendly, gentle, hospitable, integrated and developed Vietnam”.

Immerse in the rich culture of Vietnam

Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation O.B.Liubimova speaking at the ceremony (Photo: toquoc.vn)

According to Minister O.B.Liubimova, cultural cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation has a long history and is increasingly developing positively and effectively. As an excellent proof, the two sides have successfully organised the Year of Vietnam in Russia and the Year of Russia in Vietnam, including the Russian Culture Days in Vietnam held in 2023.

In the framework of Vietnamese Cultural Days 2024 in Russia, the Vietnamese side organises many events including: Art performances, exhibitions, and tourism introductions, which helps audiences and the public in Moscow as well as the city of St.Petersburg continue to have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and identity of Vietnam. Along with that, the two sides coordinated to organise Vietnamese Film Days in Moscow to introduce to audiences the latest films of Vietnamese cinema that have received many awards.

Audiences will enjoy a special art programme combining classical music, Vietnamese-Russian chamber music and traditional music performances, as well as Vietnamese dance performances by artists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Vietnam Contemporary Arts Theater. Minister O.B.Liubimova believes that the special art programme and related activities within the framework of Vietnamese Cultural Days in Russia will be a meaningful gift, creating many unforgettable impressions on the audience, contributing to further developing of the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Russia.

The friendship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Russia over the years

First Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Andrey Yatskin emphasised, the Vietnam-Russia cooperative relationship is tied together by a long tradition of friendship and reciprocal support between the two sides.

Cultural and humanistic cooperation including the fields of cinema, museums, circus arts, theatre... plays a particularly important role in the long-standing traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

Art performances praised the strong friendship over the years between Vietnam and the Russian Federation (Photo: toquoc.vn)

After the Opening Ceremony, there was an elaborate and unique art performance. In particular, Vietnamese artists performed a number of Russian classical music works, with Vietnamese classical music composed in the style of Russian music, the works help the audience see the similarities and interference of the two cultures of Vietnam and Russia.

In addition, dance and some unique traditional Vietnamese musical instruments performances introduce typical features of Vietnamese culture. Along with that are performances introducing the beauty of the country and people of Vietnam and Russia, and praising the strong friendship over the years between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

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