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June 1, 2007: Charity concert on Child Protection Day

Can musicians and singers bring health, love and attention to more than 100 000 street kids who drift from city to city looking for a better life?

Perhaps not, but their music can help shake up the hearts of grown-ups, swaying public consciousness of the plight of these children.

On 1st June 2007, International Child Protection Day, a Great Charity Concert «Classics & Jazz» will gather popular Russian and international singers and musicians to break down the wall of incomprehension, fear and lovelessness against children living on streets. They will remind us of the problem which, to our regret, still exists in Russia.

The staring artists are world-renowned opera soprano Maria GULEGINA, legendary singer of jazz, rock and pop music Larissa DOLINA, and virtuoso piano player Denis MATSUEV. Maria Gulegina will sing a duet with a talented young Belarussian vocalist Yuri Gorodetsky, to the accompaniment of talented pianist Dmitry Mayboroda, who in his 12 years is already well-known as a pianist in the musical world. The concert will be accompanied by the State symphony orchestra «New Russia». You will hear an outstanding performance of world- famous classical and popular songs.

The idea of the Charity Concert has been strongly supported by Maria Gulegina. Following her initiative all of the artists will deliver their honorariums over to the benefit of children. Money received from sales of tickets, as well as donations from individuals and companies will be invested in the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) "Child Protection" programme in Moscow.

The Moscow Government has provided great assistance to UNICEF in the organization of the concert. The financial aspects of the concert were covered by UNICEF corporate partners – Amway and Nokia.

The concert will be conducted under the open sky of the famous architectural masterpiece «Kolomenskoye». The presenters will be pianist Denis Matsuev and the TV presenter and a UNICEF supporter Oksana Fedorova.

More than half-a-century experience and stainless reputation of UNICEF serve as guarantee of effective investment of donations in the best interest of children.

You can learn more about UNICEF programmes here.

References and accreditation: Information agency “InterMedia”, (495) 248-5579, 248-9238, katya@intermedia.ru, www.intermedia.ru