Prior to the concert the Russian actors Timofey Fyodorov, Inna Makarova, Sergey Kolesnikov, Svetlana Toma and Svetlana Svetlichnaya gave a press conference where they talked about their “relations” with Tashkent and how they feel about the city. The actors also noted that, while Tashkent is a modern megacity, its warmth and hospitality is what sets it apart. The main idea that figured throughout the event is that cinematography is another aspect which serves to link countries and nations.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary of Russia’s Union of Cinematographers, Sergey Novozhilov, said: “It’s been long since we last came here and I hope that this event will give an impetus to further cooperation. For example, back home quite recently, in December, we paid tribute to your compatriot Malik Kayumov. And here in Uzbekistan last year we had an International Music Festival “Melodies of Friends” in which many Russian singers participated. I want to say thanks to the Fund Forum and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture and Sports for bringing us all together today.”

“There are no cultural boundaries,” said prominent Russian actress Svetlana Toma. “And that’s why we are here today and we hope that these ties will be sustained. I had visited Tashkent twice and I was delighted to come for a third time. Tashkent is a very beautiful city and the people here are so kindhearted. It’s amazing that we got together and have been able to share this positive energy with each other.”

The film concert also came as an opportunity to remember favorite films, songs and actors. Each of the speakers offered their own vision of the past, with Fyodorov and Kolesnikov performing famous songs from the films of the days gone by. Makarova shared her story of how she became a student at a drama school during the times of war. Svetlichnaya recited a monolog of Tatyana Larina, the heroine of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin”. Toma performed a song titled “Friendship”, which fit in perfectly with the atmosphere of the event.

“This is not my first visit to Tashkent and I know many Uzbek actors and actresses,” said eminent Russian actress Svetlichnaya. “Your city has changed a lot and become majestic. I’m convinced that this sort of events must be continued.”

Among the Russian film stars was a prominent Uzbek actor and film director Rustam Sagdullayev, who performed a song, expressed his gratitude to the Fund Forum for organizing the meeting, and said he was honored to be among visiting actors of such a high stature.

The event was held as part of the Program of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation for 2010-2012 between the governments of Uzbekistan and Russia, commissioned in an effort to take Uzbek-Russian cultural cooperation to a higher level.