Ucell, the second largest mobile operator of Uzbekistan and part of the Swedish-Finnish telecommunication group TeliaSonera, decided to continue this global trend and present the Uzbek audience to present opera singer, soprano, from Finland Riikka Hakola.

The concert was held on 16 December and it was part of celebrations of Finland Independence Days in Uzbekistan. Popular pianist Ilkka Paananen accompanied a singer on the piano.

Riikka Hakola said: “I heard a lot about your country, which we know as heart of Central Asia. But I did not know that opera is highly rated here. I am glad to be here and thankful for Uzbek people for warm reception.”

The Uzbek baritone Ruslan Gafarov also participated at the concert and delighted the audience of Grand Hall of the Conservatory.

Svetlana Inamova, chairperson of Soglom Avlod Uchun Foundation, said this is great initiative, great singers and fine voice of Finnish singer. “We want to see more such cultural events from the European grandees in cooperation with our opera singers,” she added.

Opening the event, roving Ambassador of Finland to Uzbekistan Ms. Tuula Yrjölä said such cultural events are important step in strengthening diplomatic relations between two states. Expressing gratitude to Ucell for sponsorship and organization of the concert, Finnish envoy invited the Uzbek opera singers to Finland and present Uzbek culture to people of Finland.

It is worth that the Independence Day of Finland in Uzbekistan and the opera concert was held at the support of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Culture and Sport of Uzbekistan, InterContinental Hotel and Ucell.

The Uzbek-Finnish relations are in phase of dynamic development. Several projects on cooperation have been launched. In November 2011, the sides signed a memorandum of cooperation in metrology. Economic, trade and cultural relations are important part of cooperation between two states and Ucell is ready to contribute to their development.