Acclaimed Russian violinist Vadim Repin will open the Year of Language and Literature of Russia and the United Kingdom, the TASS news agency reported Friday, citing the Russian Embassy in London.
He will perform at London's Royal Festival Hall on Feb. 25, with members of the British royal family in attendance.
The Year of Language and Literature is designed to continue the diplomatic cultural exchange that began with 2014's Year of Culture. Many of the scheduled programs will involve the works of William Shakespeare, with 30 Russian towns screening versions of the British playwright's works.
Repin, 44, was born in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, and began playing the violin at the age of five. He made his Moscow and St. Petersburg recital debuts at the age of eleven — rapidly gaining worldwide recognition.
A naturalized Belgian citizen, Repin lives in Vienna.
