Melodies of Moscow echo in Islamabad

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) auditorium was filled to capacity on Wednesday evening as the celebrated Lyudmila Zykina Russian Folk Ensemble "RUSSIA" delivered a mesmerizing cultural performance, delighting a jam-packed audience of diplomats, government officials, and cultural enthusiasts.

The dazzling concert, held on the sidelines of the crucial 10th Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), served as a vibrant reminder of the deepening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The evening was graced by the IGC Co-Chairs: Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev and Pakistan's Energy Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, along with numerous senior officials from both delegations, including Russian Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Elena Grudinina and Deputy Minister of Energy Eduard Sheremetsev.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the Russian Federation, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, was also in attendance. Russian Ambassador to Pakistan, Albert P Khorev, warmly welcomed the guests and introduced the esteemed musical group.

He underscored the vital role of cultural diplomacy in fostering closer ties, expressing hope that such exchanges would further strengthen the longstanding bilateral relationship. Khorev reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to expanding cooperation across energy, trade, and culture.

The State Academic Russian Folk Ensemble held the audience spellbound with a breathtaking display of Russia's rich folk traditions. Vibrant melodies, including the evergreen 'Dark Eyes' and 'Pedlars', echoed through the hall, complemented by traditional costumes and energetic choreography. The performance earned a prolonged standing ovation from both Pakistani and Russian guests.

Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev, who personally participated in the concert, expressed deep appreciation for the ensemble's outstanding performance, praising the vibrant showcase of Russia's cultural heritage that successfully bridged hearts between the two nations.

Earlier in the day, the cultural exchange began with a graceful ceremony hosted by the Federal Directorate of Education. In a special highlight, student Muhammad Aftab Khan delivered an impressive presentation in fluent Russian on the importance of the Russian language, earning warm applause from the distinguished guests.

Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Nadim Mahbub, and Director General of the Federal Directorate of Education, Syed Junaid Akhlaq, highlighted the growing educational collaboration and language-exchange programs.

Russian Deputy Minister Elena Grudinina and Ambassador Khorev praised Pakistan's efforts in promoting Russian language studies and vowed to deepen academic ties.

The Russian delegation distributed prizes to students and took photographs with Russian-language learners, members of the Pakistani Abilympics team, and a delegation from NUML University.

Both events served as a prelude to the conclusion of the 10th IGC session, which is scheduled to wrap up on November 27, 2025, with the anticipated signing of multiple protocols and MoUs across various sectors. The evening concluded with renewed commitment by both sides to further cement cultural and diplomatic ties.