Cultural Show “Sri Lankan Night”
25th August 2013
In the evening of the first day of the state visit H.E. the president attended the cultural show themed “Sri Lankan Night” organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board at the National Opera Theater in the city of Minsk. The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus is located in a scenic park in the Trinity Banlieu of the city of Minsk. Often compared to the Bolshoi theatre in Moscow this theatre is considered as a symbol of the Belarusian culture and art. The cultural event was opened by lighting the traditional oil lamp by H.E. the president and the Prime Minister of Belarus. More than 1200 Belarusian nationals attended the event. It was heartening to see the audience greeting the Sri Lankan leader rising from their seats when he entered the hall.
The famous Dance troupe of Mr. Chandana Wickramasinghe commenced the show with a traditional dance from Kandy, blessing the audience with prosperity. Thereafter the welcome speeches were conducted by the Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia H.E. Udayanga Weerathunga and Hon. Boris V. Svetlov, Minister of culture of the republic of Belarus.
Many more Sri Lankan traditional dances were staged representing many of the countries vivid cultural sects which also included Pandampaaliya, Pahatharata Natum, and Drum Orchestra amongst others. Belarusian traditional artists too delighted the audience with some eye-catching Belarusian cultural items.
The show was concluded with the “Dasa Desa Sri Lanka” dance which depicted the culture, beauty and glory of Sri Lanka.
