INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE BOLSHOI THEATRE (MARCH 28)
Paris, March 24 {No. 2000-27} - Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and other cultural and
performing arts centres around the world are invited to take part in an
International Day of Solidarity with the Bolshoi Theatre on March 28 by
setting aside some of the box-office takings of one performance on that day
for the restoration of one of the world's most celebrated theatres, founded
on the same date 224 years ago.
Theatres and performers participating in the Day so far include: the
Latvian National Opera in Riga, the Russian Drama Theatre in Riga, the
Deutsche Oper am Rhein (Düsseldorf, Germany), the Deutsche Oper of Berlin,
the Paris National Opera, the Liceu Theatre in Barcelona, Boris Eifman's
theatre in St. Petersburg, the Moldova Violinists and a gala performance of
award winning artists from Moldova, both in Chisinau. Several broadcasters
are also supporting the campaign with special programmes: Lithuanian Radio,
RAI 3 (Italy), and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
These events are part of an international campaign, launched by
UNESCO in May 1999, to collect funds for the restoration project. It is
estimated that close to US$200 million are required to save and bring up to
current standards one of the world's leading historic performing arts
theatres.
The reconstruction project for the Bolshoi includes indispensable
structural work, modernising its technical facilities to enable the theatre
to stage new large-scale productions and the construction of new premises in
front of the Bolshoi itself. Work on the fabric of the new building has
already been completed, and the installation of technical equipment, the
finishing and decorating are nearing completion.
Once the Bolshoi's subsidiary premises are fully operational, it
will be possible to start restoration work on the principal building. The
new theatre will house the Bolshoi company while the old theatre is being
restored. It will later provide the company with a second auditorium.
A steering committee has been set up to supervise the campaign, with
representatives of UNESCO, the Russian Government and the Moscow
municipality, the governing body of the Bolshoi, directors of some of the
world's major opera houses and leading figures in the world of culture and
the arts. The campaign is being co-ordinated by UNESCO which has opened
special bank accounts to receive contributions for the reconstruction of the
Bolshoi Theatre.
Other organisations, corporation and individuals concerned about the future
of the Bolshoi are also invited to take part. The names of donors will be
recorded in a list that is to be incorporated in the fabric of the restored
and renovated theatre.
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For more information on the project and how to support it:
http://www.bolshoi.ru/eng/unesco.html or
http:// www.unesco/org/bolchoi/
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