The "Contemporary Musical Map of Russia" united the whole country on National Unity Day

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On National Unity Day, as part of the All-Russian festival titled "Modern Musical Map of Russia", the gala concert took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. It united all regions of the country, hundreds of performers, and thousands of spectators. The aim of the project was to preserve and update the national academic performing arts as well as the folk art of Russia, to develop composer schools and build interregional cultural ties.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the artists and other participants of the gala concert. It was read out by Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

"The initiative to hold this festival has received broad public support. The project succeeded as a major, truly significant event in the country's life. It brought music fans, prominent artists, aspiring composers, and other art-related individuals together to preserve cultural diversity and popularize the distinctive creativity of the peoples of Russia," the head of state noted.

Vladimir Putin congratulated those in attendance on National Unity Day and expressed confidence that the gala concert would become an integral part of National Unity Day's festive events. The President had no doubt that people would enjoy the gala concert's rich programme, that it would be interesting to attendees of different ages, and reveal the richness of our musical and cultural traditions. Sergei Shoigu also congratulated everyone on the holiday.

The gala concert was the finale of a many-month creative marathon. Each region presented its own original work, a musical "calling card", reflecting the character, traditions and spirit of its native land.

"The National Centre RUSSIA is a space where the unique features of all regions of our large country, as well as their national and cultural traditions, are carefully preserved. And at the same time, a common cultural space is being born. It is symbolic that today, on National Unity Day and the first birthday of the National Centre, we are hosting the gala concert, which is part of the first All-Russian festival “Contemporary Musical Map of Russia". This is something that has never happened before. The project united all 89 regions of the country, and brought together more than 400 artists. Thank you to the organisers, partners and participants for bringing this important for Russia initiative to life. This is not just a concert, it is a symbol of the cultural unity of our country," said Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.

The gala concert opened with the Russian National Anthem, which for the first time in the country's history was performed by a combined ensemble of instruments and voices of the peoples of Russia. This special ensemble became a symbol of spiritual unity, continuity and strength of national character. Yuri Bashmet, artistic director and chief conductor of the Novaya Rossiya (“New Russia” in Russia) State Symphony Orchestra, People's Artist of the USSR, conducted it.

Premieres and new works were performed during the gala concert. All of them were dedicated to the regions of the country. Alexandra Pakhmutova presented a composition dedicated to Moscow, Viktor Pleshak — to St. Petersburg, Ludub Ochirov — to Buryatia, Danil Milka and Maxim Dersky — to Donbass, Dmitry Tetel – to Chuvashia, Ramil Gaizullin — to Bashkortostan, Vyacheslav Ivanov — to Karelia, Sergei Gusev — to Komi, Alexander Zatsepin — to the Novosibirsk region, Ertine Tumat — to Tuva, Nikolai Biryukov and Yevgeny Derbenko — to the Belgorod and Orel regions. Other compositions were dedicated to the regions of the Urals, the South, and the North Caucasus. Orchestras, ensembles, national instruments and voices of the peoples of Russia sounded at the National Centre that day.

At the end of the concert, the premiere of Alexander Weinberg's song dedicated to National Unity Day, sung by SHAMAN and the author, took place. Tatyana Kurtukova sang her famous song "Mother".

The "Contemporary Musical Map of Russia" project is aimed at preserving and developing national academic art and folk art, supporting contemporary composers and strengthening cultural ties between the regions. As part of the project, the All-Russian festival is being held, where works reflecting the identity of all subjects of the Russian Federation are presented and recorded.