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.

Vladimir Putin attended the gala opening of the 7^th St Petersburg International Cultural Forum.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to participants, organisers and guests of the VII St Petersburg International Cultural Forum.

Vladimir Putin and President of Singapore Halimah Yacob attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a Russian Cultural Centre.

Vladimir Putin held a regular meeting with Government members.

Vladimir Putin attended the unveiling ceremony for the monument to outstanding Russian writer Ivan Turgenev and also toured the renewed exhibit at the writer’s restored House-Museum on Ostozhenka Street.

Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to the participants in the bicentenary celebrations of the great Russian writer Ivan Turgenev’s birth.