On February 17, a classical piano concert “Music Without Borders” took place at the Russian House in Brussels (Brussels), dedicated to Diplomat Day. The evening was devoted to the Russian musical tradition and to culture as a space for dialogue between peoples.

The audience heard a performance by young pianist, international competition laureate Alexey Dimitriadis — a graduate of the Paris Conservatory, recognized for his deep and expressive interpretations of Russian composers.

The musician was born in Moscow in 2003, began studying at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music and continued his education in France at the age of 11. An important role in his artistic development was played by meetings with pianist Michel Béroff and teacher Igor Lazko, with whom he continues to collaborate. Today the artist actively performs in France, Monaco, Italy and Russia, and works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff occupy a special place in his repertoire.

The program included works by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky — from The Seasons (“January”, “June”, “October”) to preludes and the Variations on a Theme of Corelli. The performance was distinguished by virtuoso technique, subtle dynamics and an almost painterly sound palette. The pianist conveyed both the scale and lyricism of the Russian piano school: the hall listened in complete silence and then erupted into prolonged applause. The audience called the pianist back twice for encores, which became the emotional climax of the evening.

On February 10, Diplomat Day of the Russian Federation is celebrated in Russia and abroad. Its history dates back to the 16th century, when the Ambassadorial Prikaz — the first state body for international relations — was established under Ivan IV the Terrible. However, diplomatic missions existed in Rus much earlier: already in 838 envoys represented Russian lands in Constantinople.

Concert guests also learned about cultural ties between Russia and Europe at the exhibition “In Fraternitate et Caritate. Russia and the West 500 years ago”, dedicated to the first exchange of embassies between the Moscow state of Vasily III and the empire of Charles V in 1523. The exhibition can be seen at the Russian House in Brussels.