Manturov realized a boy's dream of meeting Matsuev as part of the "Christmas tree of wishes"

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, participating in the New Year's campaign "Wish Tree", helped nine-year-old Ruslan Galeyev from Bashkiria to fulfill his dream and meet pianist Denis Matsuev. This was reported in the press service of the Russian government on January 2.

The boy visited the pianist's concert at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. During it, Matsuev called Ruslan right on stage.

"My namesake Denis Manturov, our country's deputy prime minister, ripped off this boy's wish toy. I know he is in the audience right now," he announced.

The musician talked to the child and offered him to play a musical instrument himself. The boy performed a piece by Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata in F major.

"You know, I want this 'Wishing Tree' to always coincide and always come true. I might put something on this tree for next year, too. And good luck to you, good health and see you in Bashkiria," Matsuev added.

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Earlier in the day it was reported that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova helped realize the dream of 12-year-old Kristina Koval from Ostrogozhsk, Voronezh region, who wanted to have a violin. The politician met Kristina and her mother via video link. And then presented her with a musical instrument, congratulating the girl and her family on the holidays. The gifts were handed over to the girl by the head of the Ostrogozhsky district Sergey Khoroshilov.

The "Wishing Tree" charity event is a project of the Russian "Movement of the First" with the support of Rosmolodezh, which has been held since 2018 and lasts from mid-November to the end of February. Thanks to the campaign, children aged 3-17 who find themselves in a difficult life situation get the opportunity to fulfill a cherished wish or receive a gift for the New Year. In 2023, the Wishing Tree started on November 15 and runs until February 28, 2024.