Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to Zurab Tsereteli, President of the Russian Academy of Arts and People’s Artist of the USSR, congratulating him on his 85^th birthday.

Vladimir Putin congratulated choreographer, People’s Artist of the USSR Yury Grigorovich on his birthday.

Vladimir Putin extended birthday greetings to ballet dancer and teacher, Rector of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet Nikolai Tsiskaridze.

Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings on the centenary of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre to the theatre’s team and its loyal admirers.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the working group on implementing the research and publication project Russian State Acts. Russian State and Corporate Archives of the 13^th-17^th centuries. The meeting was held at the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA).

Following his annual news conference, Vladimir Putin gave an interview to visually impaired Regina Parpiyeva, 17, whose dream is to become a journalist.

The President visited Moscow’s Sovremennik Theatre, where he wished artistic director Galina Volchek a happy birthday.

Vladimir Putin sent birthday greetings to Art Director of the Sovremennik Theatre Galina Volchek.

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art in St Petersburg.

Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants, organisers and guests of the 19^thArts Square International Winter Festival.

Vladimir Putin spoke at the opening of the Year of Theatre in Russia. The ceremony was held at the F. Volkov Russian Drama Theatre in Yaroslavl.

During his trip to Yaroslavl, Vladimir Putin visited the F. Volkov Russian Drama Theatre and met with theatre professionals.

Vladimir Putin wished a happy 80^th birthday to professor, People’s Artist of the USSR, recipient of two State Prizes, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the St Petersburg State Philharmonic Orchestra Yury Temirkanov.

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired the first meeting of the working group on developing the concept for the draft federal law On Culture.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order approving the new composition of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art and the Council’s presidium, and appointing heads of the Council’s four interdepartmental commissions.