Russia: Infamous ‘Vanishing’ Charity Foundation Resurfaces

The heartwarming performance of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin playing the piano and singing the song “Blueberry Hill” at a charity concert in December 2010, was darkened by the scandal surrounding the ‘Federaciya’ (Federation) foundation that allegedly tried to disappear with the money raised by the event.

It is easy to think that this reputation would render the foundation blacklisted. However, Federaciya has resurfaced again, advertising through new billboard posters [ru] in the center of Moscow.

The posters are promoting another charity concert set to take place on July 9-10, 2011, featuring such stars as Larry King, Woody Allen, Kevin Costner, Francis Ford Coppola, among others.

History repeating?

One of the Federaciya posters featuring Sophia Loren. Photo by Stepan Yakovlev.

It is only logical that Russian bloggers are concerned about the possible repetition of the previous scenario, when the charity's fundraised money found its way to the sick children it was intended for only due to the persistence of netizens and reporters.

Blogger amapai suggests [ru]:

У Ларри Кинга есть свой The Larry King Cardiac Foundation. Я полагаю, что если внятно и понятно объяснить им, во что вылилась предыдущая акция, то слова будут услышаны.

Larry King has his own The Larry King Cardiac Foundation. I think if one explains them clearly what the previous event has been transformed into, the words will be heard.

“Or you can ask him on Facebook,”LJ user dkuraev adds [ru] and gives a link to Larry King's CNN profile.

Looking at the list of invited stars, drugalev makes [ru] an interesting point:

OЧЕНЬ любопытно присутствие среди приглашенных актёра Энди Гарсия. Именно он сыграл Саакашвили в недавно вышедшем прогрузинском фильме “5 дней августа”.

It is VERY INTERESTING to see Andy Garcia among the invitees. It was him who played Saakashvili [the president of Georgia] in the recently released pro-Georgian movie “Five Days of War.”

Another blogger leo_nardo replies [ru]: “He [Garcia] is a professional. All he cares about is money.”

The hope is that this time the Federaciya foundation will try to rebuild its shattered reputation by quickly transferring the funds raised by the event to the intended recipients.

If not, Russia's watchful bloggers are there to raise the alarm and prevent this money from disappearing into other pockets.

Thumbnail image shows Vladimir Putin singing “Blueberry Hill”, from a video uploaded to YouTube by RussiaToday.