Rock festival in Sochi timed to 350th anniversary of Russia-Ukraine union

The Rupor rock festival will be held in Sochi (a Russian resort on the Black Sea) on Saturday. Russian and Ukrainian musicians will participate in it.

The festival is timed to the 350th anniversary of Russia-Ukraine reunion, which will be celebrated in 2003, the Sochi department of culture said. In this connection, the Russian and Ukrainian governments proclaimed 2002 the Year of Friendship.

Rock groups, popular in Russia and abroad, will gather in Sochi. Some 30,000 spectators will see such groups as Spleen, B-2, Zemfira, Vopli Vidoplyasova, Korol I Shut, Mumii Troll and many others. Beginners will also participate in the show.

The 12-hour show will take place by the Winter Theatre.