Launching the "Russia in Japan Executive Committee" ― To foster goodwill between the two nations and create business opportunities, leveraging the 2018 "Japan-Russia Year of Cultural Exchange" ―

Launch of the "Russia in Japan Executive Committee"

― To foster friendship between the two nations and create business opportunities, leveraging the 2018 Japan-Russia Year of Cultural Exchange ―

Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshihiro Yamamoto) and Gazprom Media Holding (Headquarters: Moscow; President: Dmitry Chernyshenko; hereinafter "Gazprom Media"), Russia's largest media company and a subsidiary of the global Russian natural gas company Gazprom, which possesses extensive media and content assets in fields such as film and television, have established the "Russia in Japan Executive Committee." President: Dmitry Chernyshenko, hereinafter "Gazprom Media") have established the "Russia in Japan Executive Committee" in September. This committee, comprising four companies including Tokyu Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Hirofumi Nomoto) and Nikkei Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Naotoshi Okada), will advance Japan-Russia cultural exchange projects. President: Naotoshi Okada) to promote a Japan-Russia cultural exchange project.

The purpose of this project is to promote understanding of Russian culture in Japan, foster friendship between the two countries, and create business opportunities, leveraging the 2018 Japan-Russia Cultural Exchange Year (Year of Russia in Japan). The implementation period spans approximately five years from January 2018 to March 2023, with 2017 designated as a preparatory period.

Building on Russia's established reputation for high-art forms like classical music and ballet, we will deliver the appeal of a broad spectrum of Russian culture—including cuisine, fashion, television programs, film, and sports—through various venues, starting with the Tokyu Group's cultural facilities. Furthermore, this project will introduce aspects of Russian daily life and values previously unknown in Japan.

As a highlight of the preparatory period in 2017, the "Trans-Siberian Arts Festival in Japan 2017" will be held at Bunkamura Orchard Hall from September 26 to 29. This festival will feature performances by Vadim Repin, one of Russia's leading violinists, and Svetlana Zakharova, Russia's premier ballerina. Both artists will play significant roles in this project going forward.

Details regarding the lineup of events for 2018, the Japan-Russia Cultural Exchange Year, and beyond will be announced again around December 2017.

The outline of the "Trans-Siberian Art Festival in Japan 2017" is as follows.

■ Overview of "Trans-Siberian Art Festival in Japan 2017"
This performance, named "Trans-Siberian Tour" by world-renowned violinist Vadim Repin, embodies his vision of "considering art as a 'journey' and building a bridge between East and West." It features the dream collaboration of Repin and his wife, Bolshoi Ballet principal Svetlana Zakharova.

・Svetlana Zakharova: "Amore" *Japan Premiere

*Performances: Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, September 27 at 7:00 PM
Performers: Svetlana Zakharova, Mikhail Lobukhin, Denis Rodkin, and others
・Svetlana Zakharova & Vadim Repin "Pas de Deux for Toes and Fingers"

《September 29 (Fri) 7:00 PM performance》
Performers: Svetlana Zakharova, Mikhail Lobukhin, Denis Rodkin, Vadim Repin (violin), Festival Ensemble (Leader: Shion Minami), and others

Venue: Bunkamura Orchard Hall
Organized by: Bunkamura, Russia in Japan Executive Committee, AMATI Inc., eplus Inc.
Supported by: Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan
Details: http://www.bunkamura.co.jp/orchard/lineup/17_trans_siberian/ をご覧ください.

(From left) V. Repin, S. Zakharova