Gorbachev celebrates birthday in London

The Royal Albert Hall in London hosted a concert celebrating former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev’s 80th birthday on March 30. The 5,500-seat hall was packed. Politicians, actors and musicians came from all over the world to hail him.

Russian and foreign celebrities congratulated the former Soviet leader. Photo: Footballer Andrei Arshavin before the concert marking Mikhail Gorbachev’s 80th birthday.

Many guests recalled the Gorbachev era with tears in their eyes. Hollywood celebrity Milla Jovovich congratulated Mikhail Gorbachev in English and Russian. She could hardly hold back her emotions as she recalled how her family left the Soviet Union in 1981 and their reunion when Gorbachev took office.

Politicians and social activists hailed Gorbachev, who celebrated his birthday on March 2. Photo: Former Polish President and 1983 Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa.

The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro Valery Gergiev opened the concert.

The Scorpions rock band set the tone for the concert, performing their legendary song, “Wind of Change.” This song symbolizes communism’s fall in Eastern Europe, in which Mikhail Gorbachev played a key role.

Hollywood star Sharon Stone told journalists that she holds the former Soviet leader in high esteem. Without Gorbachev, the world would be an entirely different place, she said.

Sharon Stone and Kevin Spacey hosted the charity concert. The raised funds will be spent on charity in Russia and the UK.

Mikhail Gorbachev twice took the stage to express his gratitude to everyone who came and made the celebration possible.

The former Soviet president confessed that he was very happy and hoped to live to see his 90th birthday.

Actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard and British Ambassador to Russia Anne Pringle all extended their gratitude and best wishes to the former Soviet president. Mikhail Gorbachev also received virtual congratulations. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton sent a video congratulation and prominent musician and social activist Bono raised a glass to his health, saying only the Irish drink more than the Russians.