Valery Gergiev has been awarded the Order of Sts Cyril and Methodius, first class

On 3 October Bulgarian President Rumen Radev awarded Valery Gergiev one of the country's highest honours – the Order of Sts Cyril and Methodius, first class. In the decree relating to the bestowing of the order it is stated that the maestro has been presented with the award for his tremendous personal contribution to the development of Russo-Bulgarian cultural relations. "For me it is an honour and pleasure to award Mr Gergiev the Order of Sts Cyril and Methodius for his outstanding services to the arts and culture, with gratitude for his professional and humane activities in strengthening relations between Bulgaria and Russia," Rumen Radev commented at the official presentation ceremony.

On 3 October Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra appeared at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia (Bulgaria) as part of a European tour. The concert programme included Dmitry Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony, music from Igor Stravinsky's ballet Le Sacre du printemps and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Fourth Piano Concerto. Denis Matsuev was the soloist. On 4 and 5 October, Valery Gergiev will continue the tour in Amsterdam with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.