The welcoming of the new business year on September 1 has in its scale outdone many of the high society functions held in fashionable clubs. By tradition, the event took place in connection with the anniversary of the launch of RBC TV, Russia's only business television channel.

Never before had anyone celebrated the beginning of a new business season, especially in the fall. However, something remarkable happened three years ago, when the Russian RBC TV business channel, now the chief attribute of business lifestyle, launched broadcasting. Good things take root very quickly, and it is now for the third time that the new business year, as well as RBC TV's anniversary, is being celebrated at Gostiny Dvor.

RBC's General Director Yury Rovensky welcomed guests in person on the marble steps at the front entrance. The number of those invited to the event has reached an all time high of 2,000 people. "This party is a gift of the business television to its partners and friends", Mr. Rovensky said. "RBC TV has found its viewer and is now tirelessly defending its interests."

The guest list included only top business executives, company chiefs, world-famous businessmen, and representatives of the mass media, art, political, and of course governmental circles - Ministers and State Duma deputies. These truly are friends of the TV channel, those who have been to RBC TV studios as guest speakers or experts.

Among the guests at Gostiny Dvor were First Deputy Chairwoman of the Central Bank of Russia Tatiana Paramonova; Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko; Deputy Chief of Rosprirodnadzor Oleg Mitvol; Governor of the Tver region Dmitry Yakovenko; head of the Federal Agency for Special Economic Zone Management Yury Zhdanov; member of the State Duma committee for credit organizations and financial markets Vladimir Tarachev; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wimm-Bill-Dann David Yakobashvili; Norilsk Nickel Vice President Viktor Engelsberg; the Russian President's representative at the Constitutional Court Mikhail Barshchevsky; Public Chamber member and lawyer Anatoly Kucherena; lawyer Pavel Astakhov; fashion designers Vyacheslav Zaitsev and Helen Yarmak; television personality Nikolai Drozdov; Vice President of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences Sergei Kapitsa, and other distinguished political, business and public figures.

It is worth noting that the reception was put together in grand style: with champagne fountains, stilt-walking clowns, giveaways, exquisite appetizers and a fancy car show (the new-generation Audi Coupe TT was exhibited at Gostiny Dvor).

The entire space at Gostiny Dvor was decorated in autumn harvest holiday style, symbolizing the "Indian summer" - a season of harvest, the gathering of crops of the past year. More than two hundred tables were served for the guests, and a specially made stage was set up. While waiting for the banquet to start, guests exchanged impressions and congratulated RBC TV on its many achievements.

"RBC TV has found a solid footing in our lives," artist Nikas Safronov said with vigor. "This is very a honest, considerate, patriotic, and most importantly very creative television channel. I know that I can hardly do without RBC TV anymore - it would be empty without it in our lives."

Fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev noted philosophically: "It may be said today that RBC TV is a gift from above, and every encounter with it brings fortune."

In all fairness, despite festive atmosphere, there was a lot of serious dialogue in the room, and most of it related to the forthcoming new business season. Konstantin Borovoi was skeptical about the near-term outlook: oil prices have started to tumble, and we still do not have an efficient economy: "we are on a threshold of a great and serious crisis." Igor Bunich, the Director of the Center for Political Technologies, advised that attention be given to politics, where, in his opinion, "highly intensive activity" was in store." "The coming fall season will give the country's political life a new push," he said. "There will be a lot of intrigue, which will primarily affect the future of the country's political parties.

However, this was when the guests were invited to take their seats. Congratulatory telegrams were read from the stage from Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov; Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian President Vladislav Surkov; and Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov, who due to their busyness were unable to attend RBC TV's birthday. Then the gala concert began with music by the legendary Sergei Mazayev and the Ivanov Brothers' VIP JAZZ ORCHESTRA. The evening continued with performances by Bolshoi Theater stars and young Narodny Artist (the Russian "Pop Idol") project participants. Next up, Helen Yarmak presented her new collection. And the evening was closed with a grand fire show and an 80-kilogram cake, which was rolled out to a song titled "Fire It Up!" blasting from the speakers. Forgetting about their diets, guests tried to have at least one slice of cake for luck, because it had written on it: "Millions make millions with us!" As one Russian saying goes: "As you celebrate New Year's so will you spend it."