Introducing the winners gala concert of the 15th Tchaikovsky Competition, the Russian president called the event ‘the pride of Russia’.

Pointing to millions of people who watched the live broadcasts around the world, Putin added: ‘This high degree of interest in the feelings and emotions is vivid evidence of how we understand and appreciate the art of music.’

He described Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as ‘the world’s favourite composer (who) brings together people of all countries in the great creative force of art, (sealing) the inextricable link of Russian and world culture.’

photos: kremlin.ru