Italian Foreignmin presents Italy's programme for St.Petersburg birthday festivities

Senator Roberto Antonione, Italian deputy foreign minister, has presented the program Italy for St.Petersburg, prepared in Italy for the jubilee of Russia's "Northern capital" (a romantic name for St. Petersburg).

He said that on May 7th this programme had been presented in Rome by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

Under the official program for celebrating the jubilee of St.Petersburg, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will come here on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also, many Italian politicians, including several senators, government members and city mayors have voiced their desire to come to see the festivities, said Antonione.

"Italy for St.Petersburg" has been prepared by about 40 Italian ministries, municipalities and organisations, said the deputy foreign minister. Within its framework, approximately 90 events in the field of art, theatre, economy and music will be held during the jubilee year.

Thus, the busts of four renowned Italian architects - Francesco Rastrelli, Antonio Rinaldi, Giacomo Quarenghi, Carlo Rossi - will be erected in Manezh Square in St.Petersburg. They played a great role in creating the architectural image of Russia's northern capital. The busts have been made by St.Petersburg sculptor Vladimir Gorev and financed by Italy.

In addition, an exhibition will be held in the Hermitage Museum, showing drawings by Giacomo Quarenghi, and the exhibition Italy in My Heart in the State Russian Museum. People in St.Petersburg will also see an Italian film festival, a fashion show, designer art shows.

World-renowned singer Luciano Pavarotti may perform during the St.Petersburg jubilee festival.

The St.Petersburg jubilee events will be held also in Italian cities.