THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF RUSSIAN SONG OF RUSSIAN COMPATRIOTS

RUSSIAN COMPATRIOTS FROM ABROAD organized by the International Council of Russian Compatriots, the government of Moscow, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Festival brought together 450 participants from 47 countries. The Festival was a tremendous success for participants, the audience of Moscovites ,and the organizers who were able to make it a holiday for the Russian soul and a manifestation of a great Russian presence from all corners of the world.

The US delegation was represented by two organizations: The Russian-American Cultural Heritage Center( RACH-C) and the Congress of Russian-Americans.

Trio "Sudarushka" (Irina Zagornova, Diana Bruk and Katya Prokofieva) from New York  and Nikolay Masenkov from San Francisco presented the best from their Russian heritage repertoire. All the US participants were received with wonderful ovations and tears of emotion in the eyes of Moscovites.

The closing Gala Concert of the Festival also commemorated the fifth anniversary of the International Council of Russian Compatriots abroad (MSRS). The President of MSRS, Peotr Sheremyetev, presided at the event.

	Dr. Georgi L. Muradov, Ambassador, Head of the International and External Economic Relations Department of the Moscow City Government and Dr.Olga Zatsepina, President of RACH-C, and Leader of the US delegation to the Festival.
	Dr. Olga Zatzepina, President of RACH-C and Natalie Sabelnik, Deputy director of the Congress of Russian-Americans hold their awards presented at the meeting celebrating the 5th Anniversary of MSRS.
	Performers from the US, Canada, Sweden and Kirgyzstan combine to sing traditional classic songs at the Tsaritsino Palace performance hall.