YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Mikhail Shvidkoy, the Head of the RF Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography, is in Armenia at the invitation of the RA Ministry of Culture. Within the framework of the visit, on April 23, an agreement on organization and holding of Seasons of Russian Culture in Armenia in 2008 was signed between the Ministry and the Agency. As RA Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosian mentioned, Armenian-Russian cultural relations have always been high-level. The Minister said that many events will be organized both in Armenia and in Russia within the framework of bilateral cooperation. In particular, Armen Jigarkhanian's and Fomenko's theaters will perform on tours in Armenia. The latter will present the War and Peace and Family Happiness performances to spectators. And Moscow A. Chekhov Art Academic Theater will take part in the Shakespeare Festival to be held in Yerevan presenting the Hamlet performance. Besides, according to H. Poghosian, a series of events dedicated to the memory of renowned Armenian composer Mikayel Tariverdiyev will be organized within the framework of the agreement. M. Shvidkoy, in his turn, said that companies of actors, who have never been to Armenia, will also perform on tours in Armenia this year. "Cooperation of Armenian and Russian artists continues and we try to find new ways of cooperation, as well as to deepen and strengthen bilateral cultural relations for even more," he said.

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