Opening of the Russian Cultural Season in Switzerland

At the Equilibre theatre, Alain Berset opens the Russian Cultural Season, in the presence of the Russian Deputy Minister of Culture, Alla Manilova. It marks the bicentenary of diplomatic relations: in March 1814, Tsar Alexander I had appointed Count Jean Capo d’Istria minister plenipotentiary to the Diet.

The Crimean crisis intrudes on the evening. “It is with concern that we are following the recent developments in Ukraine,” he says. “No one wants force to replace dialogue.”

Speeches on this site

• Ouverture de la Saison culturelle russe en Suisse (French-language page)