Out of time: St. Petersburg Seasons Festival of Culture programme published
The programme for the St. Petersburg Seasons Festival of Culture has been published on the official website of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The festival programme includes theatres, museums, and concert halls in St. Petersburg, as well as special events for SPIEF guests and participants.
“The cultural programme always accompanies the business events of the Forum. By encouraging discussions about the present and future of Russia in the cultural sphere, we aim to continue the dialogue about the global and unifying role of culture and its values. I am confident that in challenging times, the notions of unity and enlightenment will resonate with all participants and guests of the Forum,” said Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee.
The highlight of the SPIEF 2023 Festival of Culture will be a concert held on Palace Square. Typically, this concert draws a crowd of approximately 45,000 attendees, including both city residents and visiting guests.
"Without culture, it is unimaginable to discuss the economy. Likewise, when discussing the economy, it is difficult not to mention culture. This year, St. Petersburg will once again serve as the host for a diverse range of projects of various genres and formats. Both locals and tourists will have the opportunity to engage with their beloved artists and experience masterpieces of art and culture," said Yekaterina Ivanova, Head of the Creative Projects Directorate at the Roscongress Foundation.
An exclusive reception and concert of the great classical Russian music will take place on June 15 at the D.D. Shostakovich St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic.
The Mariinsky Theatre soloists will perform works by S.S. Prokofiev, P.I. Tchaikovsky and C.V. Rachmaninov performed by the Governor's Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg under the direction of the famous conductor Anton Lubchenko.
The event was prepared by the Bridge of Arts Foundation in cooperation with the Russian Music Society.
The 2nd St. Petersburg Art Fair 1703 will be held at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall. Thirty-five galleries will participate, showcasing a diverse range of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, graphics, photography, installations, and works created with digital technology. The annual 1703 lecture series, which commenced earlier this spring, will continue at the Manege throughout the fair. Visitors can anticipate lectures, discussions, and mediation sessions. 1703 was initiated by Gazprom and is backed by the St. Petersburg Committee for Culture.
On 15 June, the cultural life of SPIEF participants will be enriched with the "Russian-Austrian Musical Dialogue", featuring masterpieces from both Austrian and Russian music, including works by Mozart, Schubert, Rakhmaninov, and Tchaikovsky.
The Boy Choir of the Glinka Choir College is a celebrated ensemble and a regular participant at events commemorating Diplomatic Staff Day at Marble Palace, as well as at the consulates of the Republic of Finland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the State of Israel. The college has hosted numerous visits from mayors, governors, official delegations from around the world, and the consular corps accredited in St. Petersburg.
From 16 June until the end of the summer, KGallery will host an exhibition dedicated to an amazing and secretive phenomenon of the Soviet era: samizdat music. In addition to the famous "Rock'n'Roll on Ribs," this exhibition will showcase, for the first time, an extensive collection of reel-to-reel cassettes created by Soviet music enthusiasts who were frequent patrons of the renowned Saigon Cafe. Stilyagi, rockabillies, hippies, and punks – all these counterculture groups of the Soviet Union were avid fans of music.
Also on June 16 , the most real romantics – Chizh groups will perform at the Palace Square&Co and Django with Alexey Poddubny. The event is supported by the Ros Congress Foundation and the Government of St. Petersburg.
The music, sport and gastronomic Sails of Kronstadt festival will take place on 17 June. Taking place on the Island of Forts, this annual event will present a diverse cultural and leisure programme that combines historical reconstruction, music, and culinary themes. This year, the festival will focus on two significant occasions: the 320th anniversary of St. Petersburg and the Baltic Fleet. The programme incorporates various styles and historical references related to these themes. The festival's historical segment, known as the "Peter the Great Holiday" project, will showcase numerous reconstructions and workshops that provide visitors with insights into the navy's history and the traditions of the Peter the Great era. As is tradition, the festival’s hallmark will be its gastronomic offerings, including oyster menus, waffles, oriental dishes, and desserts, which have become synonymous with the event.
In St. Petersburg, at the Historical Park "Russia – My History” (32, Basseynaya Ulitsa), a reconstruction exhibition titled "The Terracotta Army: Immortal Warriors of China" has been opened. Previously, this exhibition was very popular at Moscow's VDNKh, attracting over 80,000 visitors.
The reconstruction exhibition is based on a 20th-century archaeological sensation, the clay army of the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who ruled in the 3rd century B.C. The Chinese 'terracotta army' is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can rightly be considered the eighth wonder of the world.
Visitors can enjoy life-size, detailed reconstructions of terracotta warriors and horses, as well as replica chariots, weapons, everyday objects and colourful historical costumes. There are over 150 exhibits in all.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place on 14–17 June.
