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Conflict in Syria

Putin says concert in Palmyra is sign of remembrance for victims of terror

Russian President Vladimir Putin describes Thursday’s concert by Russian musicians in Palmyra as an act of remembrance for the victims of terror and a sign of hope for deliverance from terrorism

© lexei Druzhinin/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

SOCHI, May 5. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Thursday’s concert by Russian musicians in Palmyra as an act of remembrance for the victims of terror and a sign of hope for deliverance from international terrorism.

Putin was speaking in a TV linkup with the audience that gathered in Syria’s Palmyra for a concert by the Mariinsky Theater orchestra under Valery Gergiyev.

He thanked the organizers for this "amazing humanitarian event."

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"I regard it as a sign of gratitude, remembrance and hope - of gratitude to all those who fight with terrorism without sparing even one’s own life; of remembrance for all victims of terror regardless of the place and time of crimes against humanity; and, of course, of hope not just for the revival of Palmyra as a cultural asset of the whole of humanity, but for the deliverance of modern civilization from this terrible ill, from international terrorism," Putin said.

He acknowledged that this symbolic act involved great inconveniences for the performing artists and great risks - "risks of staying in a war-ravaged country in close proximity to continuing hostilities."

"All this requires strenuous effort and great personal courage. Great thanks to all of you for this," Putin told the musicians.

He thanked Syrian government officials, conductor Valery Gergiyev, Mariinsky Theater musicians, UNESCO envoys, scientists and Palmyra residents for organizing this concert.

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