People News

Madonna gives speech at Moscow gig

Aug 9, 2012, 4:01 GMT

Madonna performed in Moscow, Russia

Madonna has performed in Moscow for the first time in six years.

After threats of violence directed at the artist and American concertgoers - akin to in 2006 when Catholic groups had a problem with her crucifixion imagery - Madonna went through with her gig and gave a speech about her multi-cultural colleagues at the Olympic Hall on Tuesday (07.08.12).

She said: 'As you can see here on my stage, everybody with me comes from every different place in the world. From Africa, from America, from France, from Russia, from England.

'We are Christians, we are Muslims, we are Jews, we are everything you can imagine,' she continued. 'But we are a family. We are together. We are gay, we are straight, we are human beings!

'And this very last sentence, human beings, is the most important one, and in fact the only one, that we should refer to each other adds ... OK?'

Madonna arrives in Saint Petersburg on Thursday (09.08.12), where she, her crew and her audience have been the target of threats, according to a memo issued by US Embassy in Moscow and US Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, which is Russia's second-largest city.

The warned read: 'Russian authorities have indicated to the Embassy that they are taking appropriate measures in light of this information. While we expect that enhanced security measures will be put in place at both concerts, US citizens are reminded to remain vigilant regarding their personal security, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas.'