"Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow ...": the 25th anniversary of the Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center celebrated at the Presidential Library

The Presidential Library hosted a gala evening "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow...", devoted to the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center.

Many congratulations were delivered at the gala night. The Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova noted in her video greeting: “The cultural center has rightfully become a place of attraction for singers and musicians. Our country is rich in gifted children who need all-round support. That is why it is impossible to overestimate the importance of the activity of the creative platform in the search and identification of young talents".

Chairman of the Committee for Culture of St. Petersburg Konstantin Sukhenko called the Cultural Center "the source of very important and very beautiful projects, the center of a careful and thoughtful attitude to the creative heritage of Elena Vasilievna Obraztsova". He conveyed congratulations on behalf of the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov and the City Administration.

Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Sergey Solovyov made a welcoming speech on behalf of the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Vyacheslav Makarov and the entire deputy corps.

A lot of warm words were delivered to the Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center. A gala evening in the Presidential Library gathered friends and colleagues of Elena Obraztsova, her students and admirers, young performers and laureates of her contests. Among them are People's Artist of Russia, artistic director of the St. Petersburg House of Music, founder of the music award Intonation, which is awarded to the laureates of the Elena Obraztsova International Contest for Young Vocalists, Sergei Roldugin; Honored Artist of Russia, Rector of the St. Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory Alexei Vasiliev; Concert Choir of St. Petersburg conducted by Vladimir Begletsov; soloist of the Mariinsky Theater, People's Artist of Russia Vladimir Vaneev; soloists of the Mariinsky Academy of Young Opera Singers, laureate of the XII International Elena Obraztsova Contest for Young Opera Singers Grigory Chernetsov and Antonina Vesenina; Honored Artist of Russia Maria Lyudko; pianists Mikhail Shekhtman and Maria Chernova; laureates of the contests for young vocalists of Elena Obraztsova and the All-Russian contest of vocal and instrumental art for the Prize of the Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center. The gala night also involved romances and songs of Russian and foreign composers. 

It is symbolic that the anniversary concert took place at the Presidential Library: the cooperation of the two institutions has been going on for more than one year. The laureates of international contests for young opera singers and young vocalists by Elena Obraztsova have repeatedly performed at the Senate Square, 3. A concert "Musical Youth of Russia" was organized with the participation of laureates of the All-Russian contest of vocal and instrumental art of the Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center, and the last one took place in St. Petersburg lifetime anniversary concert in honor of the 75th anniversary of one of the greatest opera stars in the world.

The Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center, located in the very heart of St. Petersburg, on Nevsky Prospect, 65, has been formed with the aim of musical education of the residents of the native city for the singer, including master classes, vocal contests and classical music festivals.

The event was broadcast live on the Presidential Library's portal in Live broadcasts section, on the official page on the VKontakte social network and on the institution's YouTube channel, as well as on the Kultura.RF portal.