Principled support for the idea of holding the festival was announced at a meeting between President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and President of Switzerland Doris Leuthard in August, 2010 in Sochi.
2011 will see shows of the troupes and performers well known both in Russia and abroad, art exhibitions, literary evenings, and film screenings that will open the diversity of the Russian culture to the Swiss public.
Svetlana Medvedeva addressed guests and participants of the festival.
“With all my heart, I would like to congratulate you on the opening of the Festival of Russian Culture in Switzerland which continues long-standing traditions of bilateral humanitarian ties,” she said.
The First Lady expressed confidence that the festival as a contact with the world of beauty will fill the Swiss public with pleasure and will also enable it to get closer familiarization with Russia, its self-identical culture and history, and the spirit and soul of its people.
Svetlana Medvedeva wished inspiration to Festival participants, unforgettable impressions to the audiences and new successful joint Russian-Swiss projects to the organisers.