Just back from a short trip to St. Petersburg. I was glad to get to see the opening of the second stage of the Mariinsky theatre. It was absolutely incredible and I do not think any opera house in the world can rival the equipment and the facilities that they have. Next to the stage, there are platforms, hundreds of meters of depth where the sets are prepared for the stage. The previous decorations are lowered into the floor in order to get dismantled. The picture shows the foyer which is covered in backlit onyx and thus gives a shining impression. All this in the middle of the financial crisis! Great that some countries see culture and art as an asset rather than an expense.