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Russian minister of culture to chair Mikhailovsky Theatre’s board of trustees

Earlier on Sunday, the minister of culture took part in the Olympic Torch Relay as a torchbearer

ST. PETERSBURG, October 27 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky has accepted the invitation to chair the board of trustees of St. Petersburg’s famous Mikhailovsky Theatre. Medinsky arrived on Sunday in Russia’s second largest city to take part in the celebrations of the theatre’s 180th anniversary.

“I love the Mikhailovsky Theatre, it has a brilliant future, it is a theatre full of life” Medinsky told journalists after a meeting of the theatre’s board of trustees, adding that along with the other former imperial theatres, such as St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre and Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, the MIkhailovsky Theatre was worth its highest title.

Founded in 1833 by decree of Tsar Nicholas I, the Mikhaylovsky Theatre is one of Russia's oldest opera and ballet houses. It is situated in a historical building on the Arts Square in St. Petersburg. It is named after Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia.

Earlier on Sunday, the minister of culture took part in the Olympic Torch Relay as a torchbearer. Shearing his impressions with journalists, he said he had has strong positive emotions. People expect much from the Olympic Games and are proud it will be held in Russia, he said.

When asked by Itar-Tass to comment on reports about possible appointment world-acclaimed ballet dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze to the administration of the Agrippina Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, he said they were nothing more but rumours. At the same time, Medinsky said he was sure Tsiskaridze would be left jobless.