Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on September 19 received Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Mariinsky Theatre (Saint Petersburg) Valery Gergiev. According to the presidential press service, S. Sargsyan said that residents of Armenia love and admire Valery Gergiyev, considering him a friend of the Armenian people. “You led Armenia’s symphony orchestra for five years. It means that you dedicated five years of your life to our music and culture. I am very glad to see you in Armenia on the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s independence,” the President said. The world-famous conductor said that Armenia has always played an important role in his life and that he is happy to be able to become a particle of the wonderful holiday and mix with the Armenian audience. In his words, he recalls the years spent in Armenia with great pleasure and is always glad to visit Armenia.

---