On March 27, 2025, the world celebrates International Theatre Day, a day dedicated to honoring the art of theatre and those who contribute to it. This year, the festivities will be marked by a series of events and announcements across various theatres in Russia, showcasing the vibrant cultural landscape of the country.
In the Volga Federal District, the VI season of the Theatrical Volga Region Festival will culminate in an online event where the winners will be announced. This festival, initiated by Igor Komarov, the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Volga Federal District, has seen remarkable participation this year, with 1,455 teams and 21,000 young actors taking part in the regional stages. The online broadcast will start at 2 PM local time and will be accessible via the festival's official website and social media channels.
The festival's central hub will be in Izhevsk, where participants and experts will gather in 14 studios to celebrate the achievements of young talent. The event will recognize the best youth and children's performances, as well as outstanding contributions in various categories such as directing, acting, and artistic design. Notably, the winners will be given a unique opportunity to participate in the international festival-laboratory "GITISFEST: Theatrical Volga 2025," where they will work on theatrical sketches inspired by the works of the renowned Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.
This laboratory, scheduled from May 25 to June 1, will take place aboard the ship A.S. Popov and will involve students from China and Kyrgyzstan, along with actors from 14 regions of the Volga Federal District. The competition for students of theatrical institutions in the district is open until April 10, 2025, with interested participants required to fill out an application form.
Meanwhile, in the Krasnodar Territory, Oleg Beredin, the director of the Novorossiysk City Theater, shared exciting news about upcoming performances. He emphasized that all local theaters are preparing for the holiday, aiming to delight audiences with new productions. The Novorossiysk Puppet Theater "Pervoskaz" is set to unveil a new performance, "Tin Soldier," thanks to funding from the state program "Development of Culture," which has allocated approximately 5 million rubles for technical equipment and production costs.
Additionally, the Theater for Young Spectators "Albatross" will present a play titled "Secrets of the Garbage King," while the Novorossiysk Municipal Drama Theater named after V. Amerbekyan is gearing up for the premiere of the fairy tale "Teremok" next month. Beredin expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with esteemed directors like Georgy Tsnobiladze and Karo Balyan, who have previously directed successful productions at the theater.
As the celebration of theatre continues, Svetlana Kamburova, the head of Taganrog, extended her congratulations to all those dedicated to the theatrical arts. She highlighted the significance of theatre in Taganrog, referencing Chekhov's fondness for the city. The Taganrog Drama Theater produces four new productions annually and is preparing for a major reconstruction set to be completed by 2027, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the Chekhov Theater.
In the Tambov region, theatres are also gearing up for World Theatre Day. The Tambov Drama Theater will present "Moliere," based on Mikhail Bulgakov's "Cabal of Hypocrites," while the Michurinsk Drama Theater invites audiences to enjoy a theatrical potpourri titled "Theatrical Chepukha," featuring a mix of satirical miniatures and light-hearted performances. The Tambov Youth Theater will showcase "Knyazhna," which successfully premiered in February 2025.
Across the region, theatres collectively release around 30 new productions each year, employing 365 staff members, including 131 artists and 24 members of the artistic team. This robust framework supports the high level of performance quality and cultural engagement in the area.
World Theatre Day, established in 1961 by the MIT Congress at UNESCO, serves as a reminder of the importance of theatre in society. It celebrates not only the performers but also the directors, producers, technicians, and everyone involved in bringing theatrical stories to life. As the day unfolds, it is an opportunity for audiences to reflect on the power of theatre to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought.
In a heartfelt message, Kamburova wished all those involved in the theatrical profession inspiration, success, and recognition, hoping that each performance brings joy to both artists and audiences alike. As the curtains rise and the lights dim, the spirit of theatre continues to thrive, enriching lives and fostering a love for the arts.
