22 April 2003 00:42
Putin's party OBSERVER COLUMN
Mikhail Fridman, one of Russia's richest and most influential tycoons,
allowed himself a little extravagance on his 39th birthday yesterday.
He added his financial weight to a new exhibition in Moscow's Pushkin
fine arts museum.
But this was not just the usual corporate sponsorship of highbrow culture -
something that is becoming all the rage among Russian businessmen trying to
raise their image. The title of the show is, after all, "I Love
Petersburg". Among the other backers are Lukoil, Vneshekonombank and
British American Tobacco.
For St Petersburg is not just a historic and charming place, worthy of such
an exhibit in its own right.
It is also the home town of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who has
invested huge effort in the 300th anniversary celebrations of the
country's second city, inviting 45 heads of state for the culmination of
the festivities at the end of May.
Observer predicts more such corporate homages in the coming weeks, as those
seeking to remain on good terms with the Kremlin help ensure that the
tercentenary is a roaring success.
[FTI [The Financial Times]] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
