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.

Vladimir Putin congratulated Yury Bashmet, artistic director and chief conductor of the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra, on his 60^th birthday.

Vladimir Putin held the first meeting of the Commission for Monitoring Targeted Socioeconomic Development Achievement Indicators.

Vladimir Putin met with Spanish tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, who will be performing in Moscow on Wednesday at a charity concert in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Vladimir Putin congratulated composer Rodion Shchedrin on his 80^th birthday.

Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the relatives of the National Artist of the USSR, opera singer, actress and educator Galina Vishnevskaya.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to participants of the forum Days of Ivan Chavchavadze in St Petersburg: Marking the 175^th Anniversary of His Birth.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to the international conference The World of Chingiz Aitmatov: Integration and Intercultural Dialogue.

Mr Medinsky briefed Vladimir Putin on the Ministry’s current activities, in particular, measures taken to raise wages in the culture sector.

Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to the participants of the opening ceremony of the Russian Jewish Museum of Tolerance.

Vladimir Putin met with Natalya Solzhenitsyna, a public activist and head of the Solzhenitsyn Foundation.

Vladimir Putin congratulated the opera singer and National Artist of Russia Dmitri Hvorostovsky on his 50^th birthday.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to the VII Forum of the CIS Member States Creative and Academic Community Representatives, taking place on October 15 and 16 in Ashgabat.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Celebrating the 175^th Anniversary of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Birth.

Vladimir Putin signed the Order On Holding the Year of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Year of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Russian Federation.