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International festival of Russian-Ukrainian friendship "Shevchenko Spring-2014" kicks off in Taganrog

March 12, 2014: following the arrangements made by Mayor Vladimir Prasolov with Mr. Moskalenko, Ukrainian Consul General in Rostov on Don, the 10th festival of Russian-Ukrainian friendship "Shevchenko Spring 2014" dedicated to Taras Shevchenko bicentennial birth anniversary, started in Taganrog on March 11, 2014.

Before the start of the festival, guests attending the event at the Festivalny House of Culture, could visit the art exhibit organized by the regional branch of the all-Russian Union of Artists, Taganrog Blonskaya Art School, artists union "Volshebnaya Igolochka" and others.


The best art groups from Taganrog performed on stage of Festivalny: Municipal chamber choir LIK, folk choir of veterans, folk groups ZABAVA and KOLYADA, choreographic groups ASSORTI and ISKORKI, as well as some folk bands from Rostov on Don and Novobessergenovka.

In the opening speech of the 10th Russian-Ukrainian festival, Mayor of Taganrog highlighted the importance of arts and culture in strengthening the foundation of Russian-Ukrainian friendship: "For years, people in the South of Russia have supported economic, cultural and friendly relations with Ukrainian people. Whatever happened in the past, whatever goes on in the present, and whatever happens in the future, the mutual cultural heritage would be the binding factor between people of Russia and Ukraine".

Among the guests of honor of the festival were: Mr. Zikeev, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) of the Russian Federation; Mr. Serdega, Ukrainian Consul in Rostov on Don; Mr. Makarchuk, chairman of the regional Ukrainian national and cultural organization.

Vladimir Makarchuk said: "Both Taras Shevchenko and Nikolai Gogol were born in Ukraine, but became established authors living in Russia, where they wrote both in Russian and in Ukrainian languages". He also thanked Mayor of Taganrog and Taganrog Local Government for organizing the "Shevchenko Spring" festival, and awarded the mayor with a "Taras Shevchenko Bicentennial Medal" for the contribution into development of arts and culture exchanges and international cooperation in humanitarian area. "I would also like to thank Mrs. Yelena Shelukhina, director of the Taganrog Arts & Culture Council and Mrs. Yelena Polyanichenko, director of Taganrog Department of Education for organizing children's contest "Taras Shevchenko - The Greatest Kobzar of the Ukraine". Such initiatives promote the cultural heritage of Ukraine's greatest son and lay the bridge of friendship between the two nations".

Mrs. Alla Tsymbal, senior researcher at the Taganrog Chekhov Museum spoke of unity and common roots of Russian and Ukrainian people: "Many world-known Taganrogers are of Ukrainian origin. Taganrog is proud to be the city of Nestor Kukolnik, Pavel Filevsky and Seraphima Blonskaya".