On April 21, 2019 St. Petersburg and Melbourne marked the 30th Anniversary of the sister-city agreement.
“Over the years of partnership between the two cultural capitals of Russia and Australia, many educational and humanitarian projects have been successfully implemented, giving a positive impetus to cooperation between our countries”, said a statement from Russian embassy in Canberra.
Many Australians recall with great pleasure St. Petersburg Boris Eifman Ballet tour as well as prominent Russian artists and classical musicians who visited Melbourne within the framework of sister-city agreement. In return the Northern Capital of Russia warmly welcomed the orchestra of the Royal Melbourne Hospital «Corpus Medicorum», famous composer and director George Dreyfus and other guests from Australia.
The two cities dynamically promote educational and business exchanges. The largest technical universities of St. Petersburg and Melbourne maintain close contacts. Exchange trips for Russian and Australian school children are arranged on a regular basis. There is also close interaction between ballet schools.
Among the most magnificent events was the exhibition «Masterpieces from the Hermitage. The Legacy of Catherine the Great» in 2015 in Melbourne. Both cities hosted a good number of photo and art expositions devoted to Russian-Australian contacts.
In October 2017 the arrangements dedicated to the anniversary of the Russian Revolution of 1917 enjoyed considerable interest. In particular, much attention was focused on the exhibition «Call of the avant-garde: constructivism and Australian art» with special emphasis on the Soviet master’s influence on the formation of this art movement.
Russian embassy hoped that this milestone in the history of sister-city relations between St. Petersburg and Melbourne will invigorate and inspire achievement of new goals, aimed at strengthening constructive cooperation between our countries.
