Speech of Ambassador Victor Sibilev at Royal Moscow Ballet performance, Gaborone International Convention Centre, 18 March 2017

Gaborone International Convention Centre, 18 March 2017

Honourable Gladys Kokorwe, Speaker of the National Assembly,

Honourable Nonofo Molefi, Minister of Infrastructure and and Housing Development,

Honourable Biggie Butale, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry,

Esteemed Mrs. Peter Mongwaketse, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development,

Esteemed Mrs. Tumie Ramsden, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank,

Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps,

Esteemed Mr. Edward Miasnikov, producer of Royal Moscow Ballet,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

All those who are present today at the Royal Moscow Ballet show,

Today we for the second time welcome Royal Moscow Ballet company in Gaborone at the Grand Palm, in International Convention Centre. I hope among those present here there are the people who enjoyed the performance of this brilliant balletic team in April 2016, and those who joined us for the first time will take delight during today’s show.

I would like to thank you all for taking time to be present at today’s performance.

As you well know, the Russian ballet school is one the most famous in the world. Russian composers such as Pyotr Chaikovskiy, Alexander Borodin and Sergey Rakhmaninov, contributed a lot to the development of the Russian ballet and introduced into the world classical culture. Russian ballet artists are well known throughout the world since they lead main roles in the renowned theatres. Such ballet performances as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker are familiar not only to Russian audience but to international one.

It is also commendable that local ballet schools are engaged in the event and we shall see their skills during today’s performance. Certainly, first-hand acquaintance with professional ballet will be a great experience and inspiration for the young learners.

I would like to thank the organizers of this visit of Royal Moscow Ballet to Botswana, its sponsors, in particular the Standard Chartered Bank of Botswana, Grand Palm hotel and media sponsors - Duma FM and Botswana Guardian. My special gratitude to esteemed Mr Edward Miasnikov, a long-time producer of Royal Moscow Ballet, and members of the ballet company with wishes of creative success and luck. We hope in future we will see Royal Moscow Ballet again with new programmes.

I wish the distinguished audience to enjoy today’s performance. Who knows, maybe some of you will join the club of Russian ballet fans.

Culture unites people who are exposed to the arts and have appreciation for diverse cultures.

Thank you!