OREANDA-NEWS. April 15, 2009. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has sent greetings to the participants of the opening ceremony of the Year of Culture of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus.

“Belarusian people highly appreciate the Russian art which has Slavonic roots with Belarusian culture coupled with a high aspiration for reaching the ideals of humanism and spirituality,” the message of congratulations says. On April 15, the renovated National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre will welcome the well-known Bolshoi Theatre of Russia will Swan Lake ballet.

The Belarusian head of state considers it symbolic that the cultural action is held ahead of the major celebrations of the 65th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis.

“Let the Year of Culture serve the further strengthening of the Union of Belarus and Russia, centuries-long friendship and steadfast unity between the brotherly nations,” Alexander Lukashenko wished.