Vladimir Putin visited the theatre and cultural complex Alexandrinsky Theatre’s New (Small) Stage.

Vladimir Putin visited the Maria Savina Theatre Veterans’ Home where renovations will finish in May, and met with theatre community representatives.

Vladimir Putin congratulated conductor and artistic director of St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre Valery Gergiev on his 60th birthday.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to the Law of the Russian Federation on the Principles of the Russian Federation Legislation on Culture and to Articles 9 and 121 of the Federal Law On Cultural Heritage Sites (Historical and Cultural Monuments) of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Holding Year of Culture in the Russian Federation.

The general release for Nikolai Lebedev’s Legenda No. 17 will take place on April 18. The film is a life story of Valery Kharlamov, a legendary Soviet hockey player.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to participants and guests of the 10^th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Culture.

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov will preside over the Board of Trustees of the Moscow Kremlin museums. His candidacy was unanimously supported at the Board of Trustees’ meeting.

Vladimir Putin signed an order On holding the Year of Russian Culture in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Year of British Culture in the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Austria on the Transfer of the Esterhazy Book Collection to Austria.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the Establishment and Activities of Science and Culture Centres. 

Vladimir Putin attended the opening of the Planet KVN Moscow Youth Centre in the Maryina Roshcha district of Moscow.

Vladimir Putin congratulated film director, screenwriter, actor, National Artist of Russia Alexander Mitta on his 80^th birthday.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Awarding the 2012 President's Prize for Young Cultural Professionals.

Vladimir Putin and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony for the Year of Chinese Tourism in Russia at the State Kremlin Palace.

Ms Matviyenko briefed Vladimir Putin on the Council’s work, in particular, implementation of the national strategy for protecting children’s interests and the drafting of a state family policy concept.

March 13 marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Mikhalkov. Vladimir Putin met late the evening before with poet’s family in the Moscow Region settlement of Nikolina Gora.

A reception marking the 70^th anniversary of the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany troops in the Battle of Stalingrad was held at the Grand Kremlin Palace on behalf of the Russian President.

Vladimir Putin awarded Yury Bashmet, National Artist of the USSR, artistic director and chief conductor of the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra, the Order For Services to the Fatherland, IV degree.