The Russian Seasons festival shares the beauty & richness of Russian culture with the world. Held in a new country every year, in 2018 it traveled to Italy. 310 events in 74 cities gathered 6M people.
The Russian Seasons revives the idea of the Ballets Russes, the world-famous ballet project launched by the great impresario Sergei Diaghilev in 1900s. Dazzling shows based on groundbreaking collaborations between prominent choreographers, composers, designers, and dancers, traveled across the globe ‘reinventing’ Russia for foreigners. However, if Diaghilev focused on ballet the Russian Seasons go further featuring multiple disciplines (music, drama, visual arts etc.) and thus expanding the concept of Russian culture for the international audience.
The Firebird, a theme from Russian folk tales and Stravinsky’s ballet performed by les Ballets Russes, was chosen as the festival’s symbol. Each festival opens with a beautiful ceremony of passing this symbol to the host country.
Internationally known Russian cultural figures, such as conductor Valery Gergiev, pianist Denis Matsuev or dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze, were invited as lead artists and key speakers of the festival.
