The message reads, in part:
“Welcome to the 25th Moscow Easter Festival dedicated to Russia’s major anniversaries: the 135th birth anniversary of Sergei Prokofiev and the 120th birth anniversary of Dmitry Shostakovich. Of course, it is important that this season, the festival is paying tribute to Yury Luzhkov, who would have turned 90 this year. We know that Yury Luzhkov stood at the origins of this wonderful project and made an enormous contribution to the meaningful and popular cultural initiatives in Moscow and Russia in general.
I am pleased to see that, to a large extent thanks to Valery Gergiev’s enthusiasm and truly inexhaustible energy, this festival is a remarkable and highly anticipated event for Russian regions and the entire nation, always pulling new international participants into its orbit. Overcoming tremendous distances, the festival introduces guests to masterpieces of world classics, choirs, and the unique bell music. I want to praise the festival’s extensive charity and educational programmes that always enjoy special attention.
I am confident that the festival will be a great success and that the concerts will be warmly received by audiences, leaving heartfelt and unforgettable memories.”