MOSCOW

Russian state news agency TASS celebrated its 120th anniversary Saturday with a gala event.

The event at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow was attended by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, TASS' General Director Andrey Kondrashov, Deputy General Director Mikhail Gusman and other guests.

Anadolu Agency Deputy General Director and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan and Director of Strategic Communication and Brand Management Hazal Duran were also in attendance.

Ozhan congratulated Gusman on behalf of Anadolu for the anniversary.

The premiere of the "Prince Igor" opera was performed on the stage of the historic theatre.

A video message from Russian President Vladimir Putin was shown in which he congratulated the agency for reaching 120 years, before the opera was performed.

Golikova said the agency had consistently defended Russia's information independence for 120 years and successfully fulfilled its mission.

She presented a medal to TASS officials, awarded by Putin in recognition of the agency's honorable activities as she read a message from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Kondrashov emphasized that despite the challenges the agency faced, it has never ceased operations in its 120-year history.

“We protect our homeland's information borders,” he said.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul