In its new column, New Eastern Outlook has gathered the past month’s most notable international cultural events and will present this year’s coming festivals – applications are open.
In remembrance of Leningrad
January 27 marked the 82nd anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the fascist blockade. Documentary film screenings were held at Russian Cultural Centers around the world, featuring titles such as “Remembering the Siege of Leningrad” («Вспоминая блокадный Ленинград»), “Letters From the Front” (Живые строки войны), “Leningrad: 872 Days of Hell” (Ленинград: 872 дня ада), and “To Find a Soldier” (Найти солдата). Audiences in Armenia, Belarus, Abkhazia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Egypt, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Jordan, Hungary, Moldova, China, Malaysia, Nepal, Palestine, Morocco, Niger, Tanzania, Zambia, Nicaragua, Peru, and other countries were able to enjoy them. This is how the memory of the feat of the Soviet people and the truth about the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War are preserved. Owing to the project by Rossotrudnichestvo, people have the opportunity to see this.
Image taken from a film about the history of the Siege of Leningrad
BRICS’ first
The inaugural BRICS Literature Award was ceremoniously awarded in Cairo. The competition had several rounds of selection in 2025. Egyptian author Salwa Bakr was declared the winner. The prize for creating an innovative genre in poetry was awarded to Indonesian author Denny Januar Ali, while Russian author Lyudmila Weber received the prize for best debut. This new initiative reflects the member countries’ desire to expand cooperation, foster mutual cultural exchange, and preserve unique identities and traditional moral values in creative works.
The first BRICS Literary Prize was awarded to Egyptian writer Salwa Bakr
270 years of magic
The music community celebrated the 270th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth. Concerts in his honor resonated in unison across the globe. The author of this article had the opportunity to attend one of them. A celebration of eternal classics, performed by the brilliant Vladimir Spivakov and the “Moscow Virtuosi”, was held at the Moscow International House of Music. “Let us mentally thank the genius for gifting us this inextinguishable light, burning bright across the centuries”, the maestro addressed the audience, setting the tone for the evening. The works of the great composer sounded from the stage, each like a miracle, a unique experience, and the harmonious polyphony of sounds swirled in the air, soaring upward following the sweeps of the bows and the conductor’s baton, beneath the rounded vaults of the Svetlanov Hall. On one hand, it evoked thoughts about the finiteness of life, while on the other, it revealed an astonishing truth: until scientists discover otherwise, this is precisely what immortality sounds and looks like.
Modern fascism in Europe
The next piece of news concerns anti-culture, but this too must be discussed so that such incidents are not silenced, but rather condemned and not repeated. In Italy, several performances by Russian artists were canceled: bass Ildar Abdrazakov in Verona, ballerina Svetlana Zakharova and violinist Vadim Repin in Florence. The reason for this is Russophobic pressure from Ukrainian fascists and sympathetic European politicians. In other words, the authorities of European cities are not merely in contact with those who are, frankly, not worth engaging with – a terrorist, illegitimate failed state – but are actively dancing to its tune. It is a pity for European citizens living in a totalitarian society with wild decision-making algorithms. However, this latest manifestation of shameless cancel culture targeting Russian culture is futile: reasonable citizens do not accept such foolishness and vote differently. In Verona, a protest took place. People came with Russian and Italian flags, held signs saying “Russia is not my enemy”, played recordings of arias performed by Abdrazakov, and the Russian national anthem. That is the symbolic response.
Bolshoi Theatre prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova and violinist Vadim Repin
“War and Peace” at the theater
The Vakhtangov Theater’s tour in the United Arab Emirates was a sold-out success. The Moscow artists came with a nearly five-hour production based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” to one of the most dynamically developing Middle Eastern countries. Theater is a complex matter, and no performance ever receives two identical reviews, yet turning to the classics is always inspiring. It is no wonder the production has already been called “unmissable”. Such events are always of great interest. They provide a genuine artistic charge and inspire people to engage more deeply with the world’s cultural heritage.
Turetsky Choir on tour
Audiences in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai gave a rapturous welcome to the Russian ensembles Turetsky Choir and Soprano. The halls resounded with applause for opera arias, Russian romances, and wartime songs. The crowd was particularly thrilled when the Russian artists performed the iconic Indian hit “Jimmy Jimmy Aaja”. Such moments of connection between peoples, cultural exchange, and shared memories are truly priceless.
The Russian art group “Turetsky Choir” and its founder, Mikhail Turetsky
Yesenin in eight languages
No less important news is the publication of a collection of Sergei Yesenin’s poems in India, translated into eight languages of the republic’s peoples. It is noteworthy that the translations were chosen by a jury on a competitive basis from various versions submitted. As a result of these efforts, a book has been published. It will help a greater number of people to become acquainted with the Russian poet’s works.
A bridge to the Silver Age
For the next story, we remain in India – it has been a month rich in literary events. At the Russian Cultural Center in Thiruvananthapuram, a literary evening was held to mark the 135th anniversary of the birth of one of the most renowned poets of the Silver Age, namely Osip Mandelstam. Writers, researchers, translators, and admirers of Russian literature attended the gathering and reflected on the works of the Russian poet. His poetry blended both Symbolism and Acmeism, a prime example of the vivid imagery of that literary era.
Russia-China Years of Culture
Russia and China have concluded the reciprocal 2024-2025 Years of Culture. The total number of events held in this format exceeded 400. Tours by musical ensembles, film forums, exhibitions, language competitions, literary meetings, and folk craft fairs filled the two intensive years of cultural exchange. Largest cultural center served as venues, with activities spanning dozens of major cities in both countries. Such a scale of cooperation fosters mutual cultural understanding and elevates cultural ties to a new level.
Exhibitions and fairs
January was marked by vibrant exhibitions across various fields of art. The Delhi and Cairo International Book Fairs became hubs for authors, publishers, and literary scholars. Russian booths were also active there, allowing visitors to explore classical and contemporary Russian literature through a series of presentations and creative meetings.
In Hong Kong, the exhibition “Traditions Reborn: A Journey Through Russian Fashion and Art” was held. It featured traditional Russian costumes, headwear, embroidery, knitting, paintings, and other exhibits reflecting the uniqueness of Russian culture as interpreted by contemporary artists and designers. The event attracted significant interest from cultural and journalistic circles.
In Mumbai, a multimedia exhibition by Russian artist Nikas Safronov took place at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Among the works displayed were pieces dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, with some themes created specifically for India, inspired by its history and culture. The exhibition was very popular and received excellent press reviews.
Applications are open
This article is concluded by a list of festivals one still has time to apply to:
– VII International Film Festival “March KinoKot” – until February 15.
– IX International Children’s Festival, the “Theater” and “Cinema” nominations – until February 28.
– International Music Festival “Road to Yalta” – until March 1.
Ksenia Muratshina, Ph.D. (History), Senior Research Fellow, Center for Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
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