DAMASCUS, Syria – On 16 November 2021, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines received the invitation of the Russian Choreographic Ensemble “Berezka Academic Band” and “Piatensky Choir,” which was held under the auspices of the Syrian Ministry of Culture, the Office of the President of Russia, and the Russian Ministry of Defense, within the framework of the Syrian Cultural Days, and the Humanitarian Cultural Program entitled “from Russia to the People of Syria in the Name of Peace”. 

The performance of the National Academic Ensemble " Berezka" and " Piatensky " National Academic Folk Choir, honored with the "Red Flag of the Toilers and the Friendship of Peoples," and they reflected, through dance and singing the folklore of the Russian provinces, and embodied the cultural richness of the Russian Federation in general.

On the following day, CDA Vida Soraya S. Verzosa attended the event at the Theater of Al-Assad Opera House for Culture and Arts in Damascus,  which was attended by the Deputy Director of the Russian Presidential Affairs Department, Olga Lyakn, the Special Envoy of the Russian President to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, the head of the Russian Coordination Committee for the Repatriation of Refugees, General Mikhail Miznetsev, and members of the Russian delegation participating in the Joint Regular Meeting of the Syrian and Russian coordination bodies on the return of refugees and displaced persons, that was held in Damascus, in addition to several members of Syrian Officials, Diplomatic Corps and international organizations.

The head of the Russian Coordination Committee for the Repatriation of Refugees, General Mikhail Miznetsev, spoke about the cooperation of the two countries in organizing events, noting that the two Russian troupes that presented that evening, are among the most famous big troupes in Russia, and are working to spread Russian values and culture around the world.

At the end of the program, both the Syrian Minister of Culture, H.E. Dr. Lubana Mshawah, and the Representative of the Russian Delegation, gave a speech to the audience about the ancient Syrian cultural history.  They also expressed their appreciation for the great attendance and the success of the event.  END.