ST PETERSBURGH. MARIINSKY THEATRE 11 HAS OPENED AFTER £450 MILLION INVESTMENT.THE RUSSIANS HOPE THAT IT WILL REVIVE ST PETERSBURGH AS A GREAT CULTURAL CAPITAL.

THE RUSSIANS HOPE THAT THE RECENTLY INAUGURATED MARIINSKY  11 THEATRE WILL RELAUNCH ST PETERSBURGH AS A CULTURAL CENTRE. £450 MILLION OF RUSSIAN TAX PAYERS MONEY WAS SPENT.  & PUTIN ATTENDED THE GALA OPENING OF THE 2000 SEAT THEATRE. THE ORIGINAL 1860 MARIINSKY OPERA HOUSE STILL EXISTS.