New Delhi: Musical Concerts, exhibitions, conferences, trade fairs and scientific workshops during ''Year of India' in Russia in 2009 would celebrate the friendship and coming together of the peoples of the twin countries, a top official said here today.

During the Moscow Summit in December 2005 between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then President of the Russian Federation Vladimir V Putin, it had been decided to hold the 'Year Of Russia' in India in 2008 and the 'Year of India' in Russia in 2009, the largest in magnitude.

The 'Year of Russia' in India was inaugurated jointly by Dr Singh and Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Viktor A Zubkov, at the historic Old Fort in New Delhi. The historical celebration formally closed on December 5, 2008, in the presence of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Mr Dmitry A Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation. ''As the Year of India opens in Russia, we hope to present the finest traditions of Indias rich cultural repertoire-the soul of an ancient civilization as reflected in its classical dances; its ragas among the worlds established musical traditions: its sculptures, paintings and manuscripts; its ancient wisdom as revealed in Yoga and Ayurveda and its folk traditions which reflect the diversity of India and weave its Cultural oneness,'' ICCR Director General Virendra Gupta told UNI.

''The Year of India will also portray the Young and vibrant India, buoyed by its economic, technological and cultural enthusiasm,'' added Mr Gupta. ''Musical Concerts, Exhibitions, Conferences, Trade Fairs and Scientific workshops around the year would celebrate the friendship and coming together of the peoples of India and Russia,'' he said.

Mr Gupta said the ICCR was happy to present the Year of India in Russia and there would be over 80 activities planned. Violin Maestro L Subramaniam would perform on June 1 and there would also be a Kuchipudi presentation by Yamini Reddy between June 5 and 15.

Madhup Mudgal, Dadi Padamjee, Rock Band Indian Ocean/Parikrama, Ananda Shankar Jayant, Tanushree Shankar, P C Sarkar Jr, Malavika Sarukkai and Amjad Ali Khan are some of the other performers for the year-long festival of India in Russia.