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President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Good evening, friends!

This is a very happy day for our nation. You know, our nation is very large, but at the same time, we have only a limited number of symbols and national treasures that unite everyone, which could be called Russia’s national brands. And the Bolshoi Theatre is one of our greatest national brands. So today, we are all celebrating the reopening of the Bolshoi Theatre’s main building.

This was no small task; it was very serious work, which, as you know, took us six years. In these six years, everyone had his or her share of worries. The theatre itself worried, as did its performers and everyone who loves and values this national treasure, its builders, and ordinary people who watched this reconstruction take place. The Government worried too, because it worked very hard to support this project.

”We have only a limited number of symbols and national treasures that unite everyone, which could be called Russia’s national brands. And the Bolshoi Theatre is one of our greatest national brands. So today, we are all celebrating the reopening of the Bolshoi Theatre’s main building.“

I think everything has turned out wonderfully. I was here a month ago, when the main hall was not yet as beautiful as it is today. But I saw for myself that everything was done with the most cutting-edge technology, the most modern approaches to this kind of complex construction. I am certain that in this regard, the theatre will be flawless. But I expect that we will see this for ourselves in a few minutes. Everyone is excited: those who are sitting here, and those who are standing up there, on stage.

The truth is, I am very happy that all the Russian citizens sitting in this hall, as well as our dear foreign guests and everyone watching this ceremony on television – those who will watch this first performance – will see it in all its splendour.

Our nation has always found the money to maintain the Bolshoi Theatre in good order. This happened 150 years ago, and it has happened now. I am absolutely certain that everything we did will serve generations of our citizens for many years to come – all those who love the Bolshoi Theatre – and inspire them to do great new things, which they have always so brilliantly accomplished.

Now, I would like to conclude my brief opening remarks. Everything else will happen here, on stage. I want to once again take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in the rebirth of our treasure, our great national brand, the Bolshoi Theatre.

I wish you all happiness and success.