23 March 2021 marks one year since 'Stay Home with Russian Seasons', the online platform intended for both the global and home connoisseurs of Russian culture, has been launched. The platform presents ballet, cinema, theatre and music performances; it embraces a total of 140 webcasts that so far has scored 43 million views, over 160 hours of videos and partners with more than 50 art companies and cultural institutions.
'The first broadcast of 'Stay Home with Russian Seasons' was carried out a year ago. In this short time period, the online platform has transformed from an audacious experiment to one of the principal heralds of Russian cultural life throughout the world. These days, it is a major media library that comprises flagship performances, stage productions of opera and ballet, show and concerts which can be relished from any country around the globe. I congratulate 'Stay Home with Russian Seasons' and wish them to keep on expanding actively and delighting all enthusiasts and lovers of Russian culture!' claimed the State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Alla Manilova.
The project's audiences have grown appreciably too, with its webcasts being now watched the world over, in France, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, the Republic of Korea and many other countries.
'During the past year, a great deal of work has been done. We carefully geared up our program to those who are captivated by Russian culture, by delivering ballet, theatre, movies, and music. Apart from a huge number of high-quality webcasts, the great merit for the online platform is an increase in the number of viewers from various countries. The interest that we have generated is but very gratifying. We thank everyone for their support!' says Alexey Lebedev, Director of 'Russian Seasons'.
As part of the 'Stay Home With Russian Seasons' project, a grand Christmas concert had been filmed at the Fabergé Museum that was watched online by the audience of over half a million. Also, 'Discovering Russia with Russian Seasons' was launched, which is a series of exclusive video tours to the central museums of Russia; these tours are truly unparalleled as they are presented by curators and guides themselves. Besides, the series provides an excellent opportunity to travel while staying at home, and now it proves to be one of the most ambitious projects started by 'Russian Seasons'.
In 2020, the 'Stay Home With Russian Seasons' project was highly appreciated by experts as it scored several awards; thus, it won the All-Russian 'Culture Online' Prize in 'The Best Online Platform' nomination and 'The Best Online Concert During Pandemic' Prize of the 'Comnews Awards 2020: Digital Technologies Against COVID -19'.
Originated by Sergei Diaghilev, 'Russian Seasons' are designed to propagate the art of Russian masters worldwide. And for the whole year, the number of the 'Stay Home with Russian Seasons' project's fans was growing increasingly. It shows how important and helpful it is. And in the course of the lockdown, it is really helpful and important to rely on what brings together all people in all times, that is art. It provides firm ground and vitality for everyone with no exception. I congratulate you on the first anniversary of this fascinating project. Happy Birthday to you!' addressed the audiences Vadim Repin, Russian violinist, Art Director of the Trans-Siberian Art Festival.
This week of celebration will be marked by two very special events.
Thus, on Tuesday (6+), March 23, a special concert of the Krasnoyarsk State Siberian Dance Company named after M.S.Godenko will be presented. For 60 years, the majestic ensemble of professionally trained dancers has been conquering the hearts of their audiences around the globe. The recognizable Godenko style implies beauties and handsome lads, breathtaking pace, technically elaborate tricks, and intriguing plots. In the previous decades, the company's vast repertory was enhanced by new dances greatly enjoyed by the viewers, such as 'The Tale of Siberia', 'Siberian Grooms', 'Serbian Suite', 'Yenisei Festive Dance', ring dances 'Chimes' and 'Village Fence'. Native of Krasnoyarsk, the company regularly performs on the best scenes of the USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, Latin America, China and other countries. The concert will start at 8 p.m. Moscow time.
And on Thursday (6+), March 25, the viewers of 'Stay Home with Russian Seasons' will have a unique chance to watch the live performance of musicians directed by Vadim Repin, at the opening ceremony of the VIII Trans-Siberian Art Festival in Novosibirsk. It will start at 3 p.m. Moscow time.
Interestingly enough, the first concert of the VIII Trans-Siberian Art Festival promises a number of discoveries. Next to the names of Art Director of the forum Vadim Repin and the Latvian conductor Andris Pogi who was repeatedly performing in Novosibirsk, the Festival's poster highlights its debutant Alexandra Konunova. The winner of the Joseph Joachim International Competition and the holder of the Third Prize at the Tchaikovsky International Competition, Alexandra joins today the galaxy of young stars of violin art, as she cooperates with Valery Gergiev, Gianandrea Noseda, Teodor Currentzis, Vladimir Spivakov, Renaud Capuçon, Denis Kozhukhin, performs at festivals in Verbier, Montreux, Aix-en-Provence, Martha Argerich Festival in Hamburg and at the Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome.
The second discovery of the night is going to be the Russian premiere of the Concerto for two violins and orchestra penned by our contemporary, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire Mark Anthony Turnage. This score is dedicated to the modern artist Mark Wallinger, whereas its title, 'Shadow Walker', is borrowed from one of his video projects that features the artist's shadow as its character, dealing with a study of the human identity aspects. In 2017, the world premiere of the concert was delivered by Vadim Repin, Daniel Hope and the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sascha Goetzel.
'I recommend to watch the fabulous webcasts of the music concerts courtesy of 'Russian Seasons', stay home and enjoy watching!' suggests Pick Keobandith, the founder and international director of the 'Inspiring Culture Institute'.