According to him, the art festival that started in the Kaliningrad region in June is the highlight of Russia's cultural life. It will be running until November 12.
"This is not only a remarkable festival with Russia's best music bands and drama companies participating but also a highly important event for the Kaliningrad region, Russian outpost alienated from cultural life in the country," Mr. Shvydkoi said.
"The restoration of this contact was necessary and judging by the reception of Russian artists in Kaliningrad and other towns it was long-expected and desirable," he added.
In his words, this festival will be held annually. It is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Kaliningrad region and 750th anniversary of Kaliningrad.
According to David Smelyansky, head of the Russian state theater agency, 13 bands and companies took part in the festival. They gave 34 performances and concerts attended by 34,000 people. There were 16,500 free tickets for veterans, students and children.
The Baltic Debuts film festival was held as part of the Baltic Seasons.
The next festival will open on July 1 with the Bolshoi Theater's ballet Gisele and opera Iolanta. The Kuban Chorus, the Big Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev, the Riga Opera Theater, the Lithuanian Youth Theater and St. Petersburg's Maly Theater headed by Lev Dodin are to participate in it.
Next year the festival will be running in July-November, as well.
