The Russian Writers’ Association has presented a bronze statue of Russian great poet A. S. Puskin to Hanoi to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee, Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, received the gift at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 21.

Addressing the ceremony, Hang said the gift, and the current working visit by the Russian Writers’ Association would help strengthen and develop the close ties between the two capital cities of Hanoi and Moscow, and the two countries.

The statue, which is 60kg and 72cm high, will be placed in Huu Nghi (Friendship) Park that is now under construction and is expected to be completed in 2011.