The heads of state and government were treated to a medley of modern tunes and classical music – from Verdi and Tchaikovsky to Camille Saint-Saëns – with stunning visual accompaniment.
Actors wearing 18th century costumes welcomed guests on the steps and terraces of the Grand Cascade. Pictured: Germany’s Angela Merkel and Britain’s David Cameron.
A podium was built for the G20 leaders in front of the cascade, on the canal that juts out into the Gulf of Finland. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin offers Germany’s Angela Merkel a blanket.
The show’s creators included references to themes raised during the G20 – by projecting images of currencies onto the walls of the Grand Palace. This was followed by the image of a phoenix rising from the ashes – interpreted by journalists as a reference to global economic recovery. The finale included a laser show, fireworks and fountain display.
According to the Russian President’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, “the guests were delighted by the show.” Photo: Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf capturing the moment on his cellphone.
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