Russian and Indian cultures will meet in Moscow to celebrate Janmashtami – the birthday of Krishna – in the Moscow Palace of Youth, where the "Russia-India: Meeting of Cultures" charity festival will be held Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.

In addition to Indian vegetarian dishes, an elephant show and lectures on Krishna, organizers promise a comprehensive multi-genre program. Among the highlights will be Yury Loza, Alexander Barykin and Vitaly Bondarchyuk – along with his women’s symphonic orchestra – the Peresvet choir of the Moscow Patriarchate, Russian bands Hopal Bkhadzhan Band and Chintamani, Indian musicians and dancers, spectacular rituals with mantras and charms and an exhibition of Kangra paintings.

The list of invitees includes Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov and the Indian ambassador to Russia.

The money collected in the charity festival will be transferred to the Fund to Finance the Construction of Russia’s First Vedic Culture Center, which is planned as a "vehicle of friendship" between Russia and India.

The Russian Indian Heritage Academy (RIHA) will be involved too, organizing a cultural evening to celebrate India’s 54th Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 15.

The celebration will take place Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at the State Oriental Museum, Moscow, 12A Nikitski Bulvar. Entrance is by invitation only.

Further details are available from the RIHA at RIHAcademy@rambler.ru or 432-9863/313-6683.

What: Culutral festival
MOSCOW PALACE OF YOUTH
28 Komsomolsky Prospekt
Metro: Frunzenskaya
Tel: 946-1928; 797-9415

What: Indian Independence day celebrations state oriental museum
12A, Nikitski Bulvar
Tel: Details at 432-9863 / 313-6683
RIHAcademy@rambler.ru