On January 14, 2018, ‘Russian Seasons’ festival opens in Italy.

 ‘Russian Seasons’ is global festival of the Russian culture. During the whole year, the treasure and originality of the Russian culture are presented to the audience of partner countries. In 2018 ‘Russian Seasons’ festival takes place in Italy; later on, it will take place in the United States of America and in Germany.

Organising Committee of the ‘Russian Seasons’ was founded under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Olga Gologets to full coordination of the project preparation. In 2017, the Federal Directorate of Performing Arts is responsible for administrative and technical support.

The festival program includes series of the tours of the significant theatre, ballet, symphonic, music Russian performance groups; exhibitions with the masterpieces of the Russian museums, master-classes, circus programs and the Russian cinema festivals. All of the project participants are the leading culture institutions.

First Russian seasons began in 1909, when Serge Diaghilev arrived in Paris with a troupe of dancers recruited on their summer break from the imperial ballet of St Petersburg. At 37 years of age, Diaghilev was a significant figure in the Russian cultural sphere, having launched a well-received art review, organised a major exhibition of historical portraits, and taken parties of opera singers to Paris.

On 25-29 January, 2018 the Vakhtangov Theatre performs the play ‘Masquerade’ after Mikhail Lermontov staged by Rimas Tuminas. The performance will be played in Teatro Mercadante (Naples).

Rimas Tuminas:

“Lermontov as well as Chekhov is a song of mine. I wish to speak of beauty and love, in which I trust. The older I become the more I need to speak of love”.