The Moscow city government hosted a gala-concert in Aliw Theater on January 30 – a first step of the implementation of the cooperation program between the capital cities of Russia and the Philippines signed earlier that day. The 90-minute performance by the Moscow Academic Dance Theater "Gzhel" gathered over 1,000 people including officials of Manila and different governmental bodies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, students from local universities as well as ordinary citizens both from Manila and neighboring cities. The artists performed various Russian folk dances, amazing the audience with precise choreography, energetic rhythm, colorful costumes and decorations. The standing ovation after the concert clearly demonstrated that the Russian and Filipino people are united in their love towards arts, thus underlining the significance of cultural exchange in people-to-people diplomacy.
