On March 27th, the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin gave a state reception at State Kremlin Palace on the occasion of jubilee of legendary cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich. The greatest masters of world art and statesmen, friends and colleagues of Maestro were participants and guests of this event.
Among honorable guests were the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev, Prince of Monaco Albert II, The Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca with spouse, princess Benedikte of Denmark, princess Irena of Greece, princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan with spouse, Minister of foreign affairs Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Culture of RF Alexander Sokolov and head of Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography of RF Mikhail Shvidkoy, Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov, composer rodion Chedrin and ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, musicians Yuri Bashment, Maxim Vengerov, David Geringas, Viktor Tretiakov, cinema director Nikita Mikhalkov and many others.
Soloists of the Opera Centre featured the festive concert where they performed scene from G. Bizet’s “Carmen” for Maestro that in their turn became an honorable reward for young singers.
In his complimentary speech, Vladimir Putin said:
Today marks a great event not just in Russian, but in world cultural life, because today we are celebrating the birthday of an outstanding musician and excellent person.
Everything begins to breath talent in Mr Rostropovich’s hands, be it the bow of a cello or the conductor’s baton.
People call Mr. Rostropovich a Man of the World, and indeed he is, but I know personally, and many of those here know, just how deep are his feelings for Russia and how strong his love for our country.
There are many people in positions of power, many prominent people in the world who love Mr Rostropovich’s work. His strength lies not in this, however, but in the love of millions of ordinary people.
Mr Rostropovich is not only an outstanding musician. He has also been involved in philanthropic work over the last twenty five years. I recall concrete acts of philanthropy that few know about, such as how he travelled the winter roads between Moscow and St Petersburg, for example, taking medicines and medical equipment to the city hospitals.
Dear Slava [Rostropovich],
We congratulate you from the bottom of our hearts and souls on this jubilee. I want to say that not only do we know and remember your jubilee but will do everything to be worthy of your friendship.
On this occasion of celebration I would like to make it known that I have signed a decree awarding Mr Rostropovich one of Russia’s highest decorations – the Order for Services to the Fatherland I class.