Official website of the President of Russia

News   /

The President expressed his sincere gratitude to all the hostages who were held by terrorists at the theatre centre for their fortitude and self-possession.

“We survived this horrible tragedy at the cost of many human lives. Our losses could have been considerably greater had it not been for the courage and stamina displayed by the people taken hostage,” Mr Putin emphasised.

The author of the musical, former hostage Georgy Vasilyev, introduced his actors and creative team, some of which spent three days at the hands of terrorists, to the head of state. The President greeted young actors Gleb Bauer and Sasha Rozovskaya, lead actors Andrei Bogdanov and Yekaterina Guseva, concertmaster Tatyana Gurevich, head of the lighting team Alexander Fedyakin and OAO Link technical director Andrei Yalovich.

During the meeting, Georgy Vasilyev raised the question of the Nord-Ost musical revival and possible assistance on the part of the government. Mr Putin said that he had already discussed that issue with Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi.