Days of Russian culture in India

The Days of Russian Culture will open in India on Saturday for the first time in the last eight years.

Russian-Indian historic cultural links are acquiring new quality which helps our nations know each other better Russian Deputy Culture Minister Anatoly Rakhayev told a press conference in the Indian capital.

The knowledge of India brought to Russia by traveller Afanasy Nikitin in the 16th century initiated Russia's deep interest in India's great culture, the deputy minister said.

According to Rakhayev, the culture of peoples inhabiting multi-national and multi-confessional India has always aroused great admiration and respect all over the world, especially, in Russia.

On his part, Indian Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture Dhanendra Kumar pointed out India's special interest in Russian culture and expressed hope that the forthcoming Russia's Days will help to satisfy it to some extent.

The Russian delegation comprises 120 people including companies of the State Academic Theatre of Classic Ballet headed by People's Artists of Russia and laureates of state prizes Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyev, the State Music Theatre of National Art and St. Petersburg's Grand Circus and Igor Butman's famous jazz band.

Exhibitions on the culture and life of Russia's nations from the 18th century till the present day will add to Indians' impressions of Russian culture.

The concerts will take place in New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta on November 1-8.