Russia Day Festivities Turn Global

Russia Day festivities are being held beyond Russia’s borders for the first time as concerts commemorating the holiday will be organized throughout the world, Klassika Foundation for the Arts publicist Kathryn King told Sputnik on Friday.

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — More than 10,000 spectators are expected to attend concerts by 500 musicians and artists in New York, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing, Paris and Jerusalem, King added.

“This year is the first year that Russia Day has been celebrated internationally. This year there are events taking place in five different cities around the world.”

The Klassika Foundation for the Arts, which promotes classical music around the globe, organized the event for the purpose of promoting Russia Day.

“It’s a form of soft diplomacy, which the arts frequently function as for any country.”

Russia Day celebrated at Red Square

© Sputnik / Sergey Kuznecov

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The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg and the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg are just a few of the ensembles that will perform on Friday.

Russia Day, founded on June 12, 1990, is one of the youngest national holidays. On that day, the first Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) adopted a declaration on the republic’s sovereignty within the Soviet Union.

In 2003, the main festivities were held on Moscow’s Red Square for the first time.