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Kim Jong Il Enjoys Performance Given by Russian Presidential Orchestra

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

    Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, Thursday enjoyed a performance given by the Russian Presidential Orchestra on a visit to Korea. He was greeted at the theatre by Maj. General Oleg Galkin, commander of the Bodyguard Regiment for the Russian president who is leading the Presidential Orchestra, and Andrei Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.
    Kim Jong Il warmly welcomed the Korean visit of the orchestra before having a cordial talk with the guests.
    When he appeared in the auditorium, the whole audience enthusiastically welcomed him with a thunderous applause.
    Its artistes presented him with bouquets, offering him the best wishes.
    Among the audience were Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Yon Hyong Muk, vice-chairman of the NDC of the DPRK, Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, senior officials of the Party and the army, officials in the diplomatic field, literary and art and media organizations and servicepersons.
    Also among the audience were Oleg Galkin, Andrei Karlov and staff members of the Russian embassy here.
    The orchestra made up of international concours winners, Russian People's and Merited Artistes and other famous singers, musicians and conductors raised the curtain with the chorus "Song Devoted to Kim Jong Il".
    Its repertoire included such Russian songs as female solo "Oriole", "Oh! Winter, Winter", male solo "Oh! My Love", chorus "The Just War", "The Day of Victory" and "My Country", glee of the Russian song "Sound of Bell on Evening" and such Korean songs as chorus "The Blue Sky over Our Country", female solos "May My Motherland Prosper" and "I Know It Now" and orchestra "Mungyong Pass".
    Through their performance, Russian artistes truthfully represented the Russian people's warm love for their motherland, traditional lifestyle and national emotion with high artistry.
    Kim Jong Il sent a floral basket to them, congratulatory them on their successful performance.
    After appreciating the performance he had a photo session with the artistes of the orchestra. On the same day, Oleg Galkin presented a gift to Kim Jong Il.