This year, the Fourth International Winter Festival Arts Square coincides with the beginning of the 300th anniversary of the founding of this historic city by Peter the Great. The festival, which commences on the eve of the jubilee year, is the first official celebration of the anniversary.

Peter the Great founded his legendary capital in 1703 as Russia's "Window on the West." He created a beautiful city of wide avenues, squares, canals, and architectural masterpieces. One of the most famous squares in St. Petersburg is Arts Square, from which the festival derives its name. Arts Square is located in the heart of the city right off Nevsky prospect and is a beautiful architectural ensemble designed by the famed architect Carlo Rossi. The State Russian Museum, the Grand Hotel Europe and the Philharmonic, along with other museums, theatres, and historic sites are all situated on Arts Square. St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the State Russian Museum and the Grand Hotel Europe are the organizers of the festival.

The St. Petersburg Philharmonia, based in the magnificent former Assembly of Nobles, is home to Russia's oldest and most prestigious orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and to its younger counterpart, the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra.

Four years ago, Maestro Yuri Temirkanov, Artistic Director of the Philharmonia and of the Festival, conceived the idea for a winter festival for two primary reasons. He wanted to revive the tradition of cultural life in St. Petersburg in the winter season. Furthermore, he wanted to help attract visitors, both national and international, to the city during a season not normally enticing for tourists.

So, for the past three years, Maestro Temirkanov, has brought some of the world's greatest musicians to St. Petersburg to perform with the Philharmonia's orchestras during the festival. This year, the festival's fourth, will again present an outstanding array of concerts featuring famous soloists and ensembles. As part of the festival program every year, Maestro Temirkanov introduces a new emerging talent. This year it is a young conductor from Kazakhstan. This year's program will also feature a full-length ballet choreographed by St. Petersburg's own Boris Eifman, and the premier of an opera by St. Petersburg composer Sergei Banevich.

Dr. Vladimir Gusev, the Director of the State Russian Museum, has planned an extraordinary exhibition from the museum's permanent collection exclusively for the festival.
The exhibit "TWOSOME" (Russian Art - Dialogues, Questions and Answers) will portray the contrasts and dichotomies of the human condition as seen through Russian art. The museum will host a special event and reception in conjunction with the exhibition.

The Grand Hotel Europe will provide world class accommodations for the musicians as well as guests of the festival. And it will put its more than 125 years of experience and grand tradition at the service of all festival participants and guests.

Maestro Temirkanov will host his traditional New Year's Eve ball in the exquisite Yusupov Palace. The ball is a memorable evening of music, including a concert in the private Yusupov theatre, gourmet dining, entertainment, dancing and a spectacle of fireworks and surprises.

Please join us for this most exciting Fourth International Winter Festival Arts Square!