In January of 1992 Bruce travelled to Russia, responding to an invitation from Colin Harbinson, president of The International Festival of the Arts who had selected Bruce’s dramatic musical, The Scroll to be presented at the Sacred Fire Arts Festival, taking place in Saint Petersburg.
“Sacred Fire’s Christmas Celebration coincided with the first public recognition of that event in over seventy years. Two performances of ‘The Scroll’, a work by Canadian composer Bruce Stacey, were performed by the St. Petersburg Radio and Television Orchestra, along with Russian choir, soloists, and narrator.
The festival was hailed as “the first East West event of its kind” and was supported by the Mayor of St. Petersburg and the City Council of People’s Deputies. Three hundred and seventy-five participants from thirty-two countries interacted with over three hundred Russian artists in festival activities which ran from December 1991 to January 1992. 25,000 people purchased tickets for the event, which was recognized by Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, who called it a “significant event” and sent a formal message of thanks and appreciation.
Proceeds from ticket sales were donated to specific orphan programs in the city. Children in four orphanages received two tons of clothing. In addition, twenty tons of food, clothes, and medical supplies were transported across Europe for the needy.
Colin Harbinson was invited to address the full assembly of People’s Deputies at the Marianski Palace. Part of his encouraging message was televised on the evening news to a potential audience of over twenty-million people”. The St. Petersburg Television Company who covered the event, produced a film called ‘Now and Forever’ which was broadcast to a television audience of over 200 million people.”
Source: colinharbinson.com
Elaine accompanied Bruce along with a Canadian television crew from 100 Huntley Street to film reports from Russian during the couple’s visit.
You can view the short, broadcast reports by here:
