13 October 2016 — The Philippine Week at the State Darwin Museum in Moscow was launched on October 09. The opening ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta and Ms. Yana Shlarskaya, Head of the Exhibition Department of the museum.

In his remarks, Ambassador Sorreta noted that this year the Philippines and Russia celebrate forty years of friendly relations and twenty years of ASEAN-Russia dialogue.“There is no better way to mark these important milestones than bringing Philippine arts and culture to Russia to enhance mutual understanding between our two countries”, Ambassador Sorreta added. The Philippine Embassy Cultural Performing Group (PECPG) performed a medley of folk dances followed by a degustation of popular Filipino snacks.

The weeklong showcase of Philippine culture and arts will run until 15 October. Activities include the“Colors of the Philippines”featuring the works of topnotch photographers Gabriel Malvar, Javier Flores and Wilfredo Garrido as well as an exhibit on indigenous textiles and attires.

A lecture on“The Philippines: A miracle of nature and culture”by Philippine specialist Professor Elena Frolova is slated on October 13. Prof. Frolova is Senior Professor on Philippine Philology at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Moscow State University.

A lecture-demonstration on Philippine folk dances will be given by Mr. Ronnie Mirabuena of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on October 15. Mr. Mirabuena will be in Moscow for a series of lecture-demonstrations through the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.  END