Russian maestro conducts concert in ruins of Syria’s Palmyra

Renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev has led a classical music concert in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, which was recently liberated from Daesh.

According to Press TV, the symphony orchestra concert titled “Praying for Palmyra - Music revives ancient ruins” was performed in the Roman Theater of Palmyra, one of the few sites still largely intact after its devastation by terrorists during the 10-month occupation.

The venue served as the main site for the annual Palmyra festival prior to the terrorists’ rampage in the troubled region.

Russian and Syrian military personnel as well as locals attended the concert.

Organizers said the musical show commemorates those who lost their lives while liberating the city from terrorists.

President Vladimir Putin, addressing the audience by video link from his Russian Black Sea residence in Sochi, described the concert as a sign of remembrance for victims of extremism, and as a promise of hope for victory over terrorism worldwide.

“I regard it [the concert] as a sign of gratitude, remembrance and hope,” said he, adding that all should be grateful to “those who fight terrorism without sparing one’s own life.”

The Russian president also called on people to remember “all victims of terror” and to “hope not just for the revival of Palmyra as cultural heritage of humanity, but for the rescue of modern civilization from this terrible menace - international terrorism.”

ME