The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia used a classical concert in the capital to spotlight cultural diplomacy, youth talent and closer people-to-people ties, with Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin saying the performance reflected shared respect for culture, education and humanitarian cooperation.
Speaking at the concert in Addis Ababa, the ambassador said the presence of young artists from the Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory symbolized the enduring value of Russian musical education and the importance of cultural exchange. He said the event was not simply a performance, but part of a broader effort to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the two countries.
“It is deeply symbolic that today you will witness a performance by three representatives of the Moscow State Conservatory named after the great Russian composer Petr Tchaikovsky,” Terekhin said. He described the institution as a flagship of Russian and global musical education and said art should remain a space for open, equitable dialogue rather than political division.
The ambassador said Russia continues to support the preservation of a unified global cultural heritage and the depoliticization of humanitarian ties. He also said Ethiopia’s long history of statehood and national identity makes it a natural partner in promoting sovereign cultural development.
The concert, held at Adwa Victory Memorial, featured young laureates and students from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Yuri Bashmet Academy. The program included works by Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Puccini and Mendelssohn, performed by Polina Perovskaya, Daria Tagirova and Daria Poleschuk.
Terekhin said the Russian Federation sees cultural diplomacy as a practical instrument for shaping a more just multipolar world based on mutual understanding among peoples. He noted that Russia’s partnership with Ethiopia is rooted in a long history of respect and has gained additional depth through cooperation in culture and education.
He also highlighted the educational value of the project, saying performances by visiting Russian artists can open new opportunities for talented Ethiopian youth interested in specialized study in Russia. He described such exchanges as direct investments in the next generation and in the broader foundation of national identity.
The concert was presented under the international humanitarian project “Rising Stars,” which was implemented in Ethiopia under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russkiy Mir Foundation. The initiative is aimed at promoting Russian musical culture abroad and building closer ties through the arts.
Organizers said the event drew a strong audience and was received warmly by guests, underscoring the continuing role of classical music in Ethiopia’s cultural calendar. The performance also highlighted the growing visibility of international artistic events in Addis Ababa and the use of culture as a bridge between governments and peoples.
