By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : The historic ‘Purana Qila’ (Old Fort) in the capital became the setting for a rich cultural extravaganza that marked the launch of the ‘Year of Russia’ in India.
Artists from Russia, both folk and contemporary, brought alive the red sand stone walls of the medieval structure in the more than hour-long concert that was jointly opened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Russian counterpart Victor A Zubkov on Tuesday.
The concert had the audience mesmerised with a spectacular laser show that also involved bringing alive images ranging from monuments like the Taj Mahal to scenes from nature on the walls of the Old Fort.
Simultaneous to the laser show, artists performed both folk and contemporary art forms in the event which was organised jointly by the Indian council for Cultural research and Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography of Russia.
The concert had prominent Russian groups such as the Pleageya Band, Moscow dance company Alanta, the Russian folk choir, youth circus of Russia and Alla Dukhova ballet Jodes.
Inaugurating the event, Prime Minister Singh said “The decision to have a Year of Russia in India was taken during President Vladimir Putin’s previous visit here”.
He said that 2009 would be celebrated as Year of India in Russia, adding the event would help in creating awareness and strengthen the relationship between the people of the two countries.
He also expressed hopes that the younger generations of both the countries would come closer as a result of the event.