In wouldn't be an overstatement to say that the opening of the renovated building of the Theater of Nations in Petrovsky Lane became a major cultural event not only for Moscow but for the whole of Russia. After many years of intensive production activities in a variety of rented venues, the company, quite unique in structure and scope of creative endeavors, at last moved back home.

A housewarming party is usually an occasion to invite friends, and the party at the Theater of Nations was no exception.

In the early afternoon the Theater was visited by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sabyanin and Russia's Cultural Minister Aleksandr Avdeyev. In the course of the brief tour conducted by the company's artistic director Yevgeny Mironov, they were shown the main and the small stages, discussed the plans for the future, and studied the model of the "theater quarter" (the new development project).

Yevgeny Mironov, acting as rightful and cordial "proprietor", invited the guests to participate in an old theater tradition – hammering a coin into the foundation of the stage for luck and future financial well-being. Since the renovated stage is 126 years old, the coin was dated 1885.

The Theater of Nations can boast the most modern stage equipment and unique acoustic characteristics, the latter having been tested by the Premier, who played a tune on the piano accompanied by the actors.

After the tour, the honorary guests were invited to a tea party with young actors and directors at Korsh's Restaurant, where a lively discussion was held about the state of affairs in contemporary theater, the basic guidelines of the Theater of Nations' creative policy, and the prospects for increasing the financing of the company. The young artists spoke about their creative plans.

And in the evening there was the gala concert. Gathered on the red carpet were people who have been in various ways helping the Theater – eminent political figures, businessmen, cultural workers, artists and just friends. The concert that followed had been staged by young director Vasily Barkhatov and featured a wide variety of genres and styles.

One of the numbers was the world premiere of MUSICA VIVA Moscow Chamber Orchestra, conducted by People's Artist of Russia Aleksandr Rudin. The audience was quite ecstatic at the performance of the children band from the Pyongyang Musical School (North Korea).

Drama-school students in hard hats, assisted by "Tower Quartet" music band and Chulpan Khamatova as charlady, performed a series of comical numbers, filling the show with sparkling humor.

Quite droll was the number performed by the prima ballerina of Mariinsky Theater Ulyana Lopatkina and lead of Mikhailovsky Ballet Marat Shemiunov. People's Artist of Russia Anastasiya Vertinskaya recited the verses of her father, Aleksandr Vertinsky.

From the screen the history of the Theater of Nations was recounted by outstanding arts and culture dignitaries Helen Mirren, Lev Dodin, Oleg Tabakov, Declan Donnellan, Nacho Duato, Robert Lepage, Valery Gergiev, Yuri Lyubimov, John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons, Maya Plisetskaya, Bogdan Stupka, Eimuntas Nekrošius, Thomas Ostermeier and Robert Wilson.

The Theater of Nations' artistic director Yevgeny Mironov heartily thanked all those who had extended support to the Theater: "When I came here with Mikhail Shvydkoy, all I saw was a foundation pit. I thought I'd close my eyes and imagine the packed house, the chandeliers, and the applauding audience. Sometimes miracles happen. Now we have a home of our own, and I congratulate you all on this".

The concert culminated in the hilarious show of "The Wedding/Funeral Band" led by famous musician Goran Bregovich. The music set the audience aflame, to the effect that many climbed on stage and threw themselves into a dance. And now it is time for intensive rehearsals and new premieres.