Valery Gergiev has been appointed as the new director of the Bolshoi Theater, replacing Vladimir Urin. Urin's departure was rumored since November 17, and his last day was on November 30. Gergiev, who has been the artistic and general director of the Mariinsky Theater since 1988, will now hold both directorships. Urin was highly respected for successfully managing various crises and navigating political changes during his tenure at the Bolshoi Theater.
In other news, Kirill Krok, the Director of the Eugene Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre, discusses the upcoming tour of the theatre to China and the Chinese audience's appreciation for Russian culture and literature. He highlights the warm welcome and keen interest received during their previous tour and the emergence of a fan club dedicated to their production of 'Eugene Onegin' in Shanghai. Krok also emphasizes the role of Russian culture in building international cooperation, particularly through the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. He praises the fund's open application process and its commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation. Additionally, Krok mentions the fund's support for international projects, which facilitates cultural exchange and collaboration, enabling artists from different nations to connect and create meaningful cultural experiences.
Russian performing arts groups, including the chorus and orchestra of St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre, have found eager audiences in China after being shut out of Western countries due to tensions over the invasion of Ukraine. The groups have been tapping into China's growing interest in the arts, with renowned conductor Valery Gergiev leading the Mariinsky Theatre's performances in Beijing. This shift towards China comes as economic growth in the country has fueled interest in cultural exchanges.
Furthermore, for the first time among the Baltic countries, a big festive concert of Kazakh folk instrument ensembles 'Akzharma' and folk dance ensembles 'Zhorga' of the Murat Oskinbaev Mangistau Regional Philharmonic Society took place in Riga, Latvia. The event was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Latvia and Ambassador Dauren Karipov, in response to the request of the Latvian club of fans of Dimash Qudaibergen. The concert showcased a rich and diverse program of folk melodies and contemporary Kazakh compositions, featuring virtuoso playing of Kazakh folk instruments, beautiful singing, and dance numbers. The Latvian audience was impressed by the diversity and originality of Kazakh culture, the melodiousness and soulfulness of the performances, and the beauty of the national costumes. The event aimed to strengthen cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Latvia. [8b8afbb4]