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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Culture Minister Alexander Avdeyev and Mariinsky Theatre Artistic Director Valery Gergiev

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Vladimir Putin: Good evening. How is the reconstruction of the Mariinsky Theatre going?

Alexander Avdeyev: We came back yesterday after a thorough look at the site. We think the basement will be ready next summer, and construction will shift above ground. Leading architects reassure us that ground resistance hazards will be eliminated. The latest findings are hopeful. We will not ask for extra funding.

Vladimir Putin: That's good.

Alexander Avdeyev: Construction will finish on schedule, by the end of 2010, in time for Mr Gergiev to host the White Nights festival in 2011. Repairs on the old building will start next.

Vladimir Putin: You'll do that, too?

Valery Gergiev: We are not planning that part of the job jet. We want to make sure everything goes well with the new building. I agree with Mr Avdeyev-we took stock of the situation yesterday. We are no experts on soil, so I cannot be sure everything is OK, but specialists assure us the construction is safe. All other problems concern design. The building should not be as imposing as in the blueprint. It shouldn't clash with the St Petersburg architectural environment. I hope alterations will merge it into the surroundings.

The initial design, which we approved five years ago, has grown too big and bulky. It looks downright aggressive-not the way it was in the sketches we approved. The theatre and the public are concerned that it may look too aggressive for St Petersburg's architectural image. We have been working hard, looking for alternatives that would satisfy the people of St Petersburg, connoisseurs of architecture and the theatre company. Two thousand people have been asking us when they will be able to move in. And I'd like to add that we will prepare an ambitious programme for a grand start of performances on the new premises.

Vladimir Putin: What's the construction budget?

Alexander Avdeyev: Nine and a half billion.

Vladimir Putin: Are things going smoothly this year?

Alexander Avdeyev: Yes, everything's been going well, we are not overspending.

Vladimir Putin: How much has been earmarked for next year?

Alexander Avdeyev: Slightly less than six billion.

Vladimir Putin: Let's talk it over in detail.