A new event within the joint cultural project of Gazprom and Austria’s OMV – the theatrical gala performance “Imperial Capitals: St. Petersburg – Vienna. Symphony of Letters and Poems” – took place today at the Grand Hall of the Dmitry Shostakovich St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonia.

This performance became the central cultural event of the 7th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum. Among the guests were Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Rainer Seele, Chairman of the Executive Board of OMV, as well as heads of major international energy companies. Children from social institutions of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region were also invited to the event.

This year, the main focus of the “Imperial Capitals: St. Petersburg – Vienna” project was on the legacy of Russian and Austrian poets. Their poetic works gained a new edge in harmony with music. A synthesis of different art forms, eternal plots and modern ways of self-expression demonstrated to the audience the full versatility of the unique cultural heritage of St. Petersburg and Vienna – two imperial capitals.

Money raised from ticket sales will be donated to a charity foundation that helps children with serious diseases.

In response, the next cultural event within the project will be held on December 14, 2017, at the Imperial Hofburg Palace of Vienna.