The list of laureates includes the «SVOYASI» project, the Russian-Arab Business Council, the «Inspiration» and «Russian CoT» festivals, as well as the «Big Tours» programme.
For Watch Russia, the concept of dialogue in the «Hommage to Dialogue» category is broadly interpreted: it encompasses the conversation between different generations of art, the exchange between Russian regions, and the interaction of Russia with other cultures and countries.
In the project «SVOYASY. Traditions of the Future», a hundred artists, designers, and craftsmen from across Russia have come together. Weaving and carving here are juxtaposed with digital art and video art, where modernity and tradition are not on opposite sides, but within the same space. The award was received by the project’s author, Natalia Yustitskaya. For her, the fact that «SVOYASY» was recognised in the first year of the award was particularly significant: «When an award is presented for the first time and you receive it right away, it’s an extraordinary honour and privilege. The ‘SVOYASY’ project has been running for four years. We held the first two exhibitions at the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the last two at the State Historical Museum. Over this time, we have developed a deep, productive, and, I would say, heartfelt dialogue between the classical museum and contemporary Russian art, which is currently experiencing a real surge. I am confident that this is just the beginning. I am grateful for the opportunity to implement the project at one of the country’s most renowned museums and believe that this dialogue will continue.»
The Russian-Arab Business Council, represented by its chairman Sergey Gorkov, is now engaged in a different type of dialogue – between entrepreneurs from Russia and Arab countries. Its mission is to assist them in finding each other, building trust, and moving from acquaintance to collaboration.
At the Inspiration Festival, international dialogue takes place directly on stage. Over four days in summer, it drew more than 100,000 people to VDNH, featuring artists and groups from Russia, Chile, India, China, and Greece. The award to the festival’s general producer, Artur Grigoryants, was presented by film producer Maxim Korolev.
«Russian CoT» transformed the garden of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts into an open urban art laboratory for three summer months, where music, cinema, theatre, lectures, and artistic practices engaged with tradition as a living material. The festival’s art director, Maria Galperina, received the award. In her brief speech, she primarily spoke about the people she shared the stage with: «Many of my favourite directors, actors, and simply people filled with kindness and creative energy are here today. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful community.»
The «Big Tours» programme connects Russian cities and theatres. Each trip brings new audiences to the theatres, and for a few evenings, a foreign stage becomes their own. The head of the touring department at Rosconcert, Vladimir Cherkasov, came forward to receive the award. He emphasised that the programme is fundamentally about ongoing exchange and dialogue between theatres and regions: «The ‘Big Tours’ is a project that has been implemented by the Ministry of Culture for many years. Thanks to it, leading theatres from Moscow and the regions participate in exchanges and tours, which are truly mutually enriching. It is particularly pleasing that the Yermolova Theatre, where today’s ceremony is taking place, is also a participant in the programme. Thank you to the organising committee for this award and for the attention to our work.»
The inaugural ceremony of the «Hommage. Watch Russia» awards, which took place on 12 October at the Yermolova Theatre, brought together museums, theatres, designers, public projects, and international initiatives that each shape the perception of contemporary Russia in their own way.
In October, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre presented a two-act ballet «The Cherry Orchard,» based on the play by Anton Chekhov.
From 23 to 28 October, Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra will present all 15 symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich at the new Shanghai Opera House, followed by bringing Verdi’s «Aida» to China, which will be shown in Asia for the first time.
The foundation of the new public library is the book collection of the distinguished Russian art historian Dmitry Sarabianov.
