The First Lady launched the Window to Russia exhibition, which displays works by painters, graphic artists, and sculptors from 30 regions of Russia. The exhibition is hosted by the Russian Centre for Science and Culture.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Svetlana Medvedeva congratulated attendees on the launch of the Year of Russia in France. “The unique programme for this Year will expand the boundaries of our cultural dialogue,” the First Lady said.
“The Window to Russia exhibition pays particular attention to young artists from different regions of Russia who continue the traditions of great masters known throughout the world,” Ms Medvedeva noted, and wished all exhibition participants success in their artistic quests.
The exhibition’s opening day visitors enjoyed a concert by soloists from the Academy of Young Opera Singers at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg who performed compositions by Russian and French composers.
Following the event, the First Lady visited the cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Three Hierarchs Compound in Paris. Svetlana Medvedeva was warmly greeted by church-goers of the cathedral belonging to the Korsun diocese which is made up of parishes in France, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland.
The head of the Korsun diocese, Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun, told Ms Medvedeva about the church’s relics. A children’s choir organised by the church performed for the Russian guests.
Svetlana Medvedeva presented an altar cross to the Archbishop. In turn, the congregation presented to the First Lady albums showing France’s Orthodox shrines and icons in the Three Hierarchs Compound.
In the evening, Svetlana Medvedeva attended the opening of the Holy Russia: Russian Art from the Beginnings to Peter the Great exhibition at the Louvre. The opening of the exhibition by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and President of France Nicolas Sarkozy marked the official launch of the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia. The exhibition includes artefacts encompassing over 1,000 years of Russian history. It consists of 438 unique items from the collections of four libraries, one archive and 17 Russian museums, including the Kremlin, the State Historical Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, and museums in the ancient Russian cities of Vladimir, Suzdal, and Novgorod.
Before the exhibition opening, Dmitry Medvedev and Svetlana Medvedeva visited Notre Dame de Paris.
At the end of the visit, a state dinner was hosted by President of France Nicolas Sarkozy in honour of President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and Svetlana Medvedeva.