History of heroism: premiere of "Soldiers’ Dreams" held at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The premiere of the historical performance based on wartime chronicles "Soldiers’ Dreams", timed to coincide with the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. Created under the direction of People’s Artist of Russia Yevgeny Glazov, the production became one of the largest in the history of the venue: it brought together choirs and dance groups, drama actors, children’s ensembles and a large costumed crowd scene.

"The National Centre RUSSIA was created by Order of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. One of our missions is to preserve historical memory. This is what our performance 'Soldiers’ Dreams' is dedicated to. More than 500 artists are taking part in it: Lev Valeryanovich Leshchenko, Ilya Rakhmieleyevich Reznik, Valeria, Yelena Vaenga, the Choir of the National Guard of Russia, the Pyatnitsky Choir, children’s groups, the Gzhel ensemble, military personnel and participants in the special military operation. According to the plot, the performance begins with the events of 2 May 1945, when fighting was still taking place in Berlin, while our artists gave a concert under fire. On our stage, the legendary Lidia Ruslanova performed the folk song 'Valenki', which both warms the heart and brings joy, together with contemporary singer Varvara. It is symbolic that the production begins with this very piece, because we pass memory from generation to generation. But the key moment was the handover of the Banner of Victory from Great Patriotic War veteran Kirill Alexandrovich Semyonov to special military operation veteran Georgy Syzrantsev. Behind us is a great history that cannot be rewritten or taken away," said Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina.

"Soldiers’ Dreams" is the story of our country, told through the fates of soldiers and war correspondents. Together with the characters, the audience followed the path from the farewell at Belorussky Railway Station to the long-awaited Victory, seeing landmark episodes of the war through the eyes of three war correspondents from different generations.

"In the performance 'Soldiers’ Dreams', I wanted to show three generations of fighters. The older, the middle and the younger generations, with a young soldier who sees the war through the eyes of someone who has only just arrived at the front. They go through the entire war. When the National Centre RUSSIA invited me to take part in this project, I agreed with great pleasure. I am grateful to the artists who responded, because we are very attentive both to the selection of actors and to the dramaturgy of the performance. It was important for us that all participants should be like-minded people," noted People’s Artist of Russia and chief director Yevgeny Glazov.

The performance opened with a symbolic scene: 2 May 1945, fighting is still under way, but Soviet troops have already taken the Reichstag. At the front, Lidia Ruslanova gives a concert for the fighters, performing the legendary song "Valenki". In the production, Ruslanova’s voice is heard in a duet with Honoured Artist of Russia Varvara — connecting eras and passing tradition from generation to generation. The song itself appeared in the early 20th century and became a symbol of support for fighters during the war: Ruslanova performed it many times at the front line, lifting soldiers’ morale.

Other songs dedicated to the Great Patriotic War were also performed on stage. The choir of the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard troops of Russia performed "The Sacred War" — the audience greeted it standing and sang along with the artists. Sofia Brazhnikova and the "First Singing" choir of the A.I. Pokryshkin Cadet Boarding School performed the song "Boys", while the Pyatnitsky State Academic Russian Folk Choir gave the audience "From the Heroes of Bygone Times". People’s Artist of Russia Ilya Reznik, together with the Little Country children’s musical theatre, presented "Children of War" and the poem "Exodus"; Honoured Artist of Russia Yelena Vaenga performed "Women of Leningrad"; People’s Artist of Russia Sergei Shakurov performed "Dark Night"; and the Gzhel Moscow State Academic Dance Theatre presented "Adyghe Lezginka". Honoured Artist of Kabardino-Balkaria Alexander Kokhov, together with the choir of the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard troops of Russia, sang "Nightingales", while finalist of "The Voice" project Valentina Biryukova performed "If There Had Been No War".

"I step onto the stage of the National Centre RUSSIA and the performance 'Soldiers’ Dreams' first and foremost as a resident of besieged Leningrad. I am very glad that my song 'Children of War' is being performed here and that I am taking part in this grand, heartfelt and deeply emotional production. Very good songs are appearing now — including those born at the front line: they are sincere, full of pain, and this is very important. At the same time, the life of professional music continues; it does not fade, but is born anew," said People’s Artist of Russia Ilya Reznik.

A piece titled "The Road to Berlin" was performed with the participation of singer Khabib. It tells the story of three war correspondents, played by People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Pashutin and drama actors Amadu Mamadakov and Sergei Belov. The song, written in 1945 to lyrics by Yevgeny Dolmatovsky and music by Mark Fradkin, became a symbol of the victorious offensive of the Red Army. In the performance, it was accompanied by a scene of reaching the state border and the solemn replacement of the border post, symbolising the inviolability of the frontiers.

One of the key moments of "Soldiers’ Dreams" was the symbolic handover of the Banner of Victory. The scarlet banner is a symbol of continuity between the great victories of our country. Veteran of the Great Patriotic War, participant in the Battle of Stalingrad, the Vistula-Oder operation and the Berlin operation Kirill Alexandrovich Semyonov handed it over to a hero of the special military operation. This connection between generations reminds us that Russia’s strength lies in truth, in memory and in the people who defend their country, their families and the future.

The culmination of the evening was the performance of the song "Victory Day" by People’s Artist of Russia Lev Leshchenko with the choir of the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard troops of Russia, cadets of the A.I. Pokryshkin Cadet Boarding School, the Yunarmiya choir and the Pyatnitsky State Academic Russian Folk Choir.

"It is a deeply moving feeling when you step onto the stage with emotion, looking at those remarkable people who preserved life, freedom and peaceful skies for us. I am speaking about our valiant veterans. My immense thanks to them and a deep bow. Everything we do, these songs that become a kind of reflection of time, is very important, because it is Russian song that has always spoken about what is happening in the country. Nowhere else in the world is there a song genre like ours. These songs can form a true heroic chronicle of our Fatherland," Lev Leshchenko emphasised.

For the first time, a light curtain was used at the National Centre RUSSIA: even before the performance began, it divided the space between the auditorium and the stage, which represented dream-like memories. This made it possible to use the entire space in the dramaturgy of the production and immerse the audience more deeply in the atmosphere of the events.

Instead of scenery, the production used authentic photographs from museum and digital archives. The original images underwent deep digital restoration using artificial intelligence, while preserving historical accuracy. As a result of this meticulous work, they became not merely processed archive footage, but fully reimagined visual scenes: vivid, deep and technologically complex, enhancing the effect of presence and immersion.

Before the performance began, the combined children’s brass orchestra of the Valery Khalilov Brass Society performed in the foyer. More than 130 young musicians played marches, waltzes and songs from the war years — a touching symbol of continuity between generations. Among the audience were veterans of the Great Patriotic War and participants in the special military operation. Volunteers of the National Centre RUSSIA distributed red carnation badges in exchange for any donation, with the funds raised to be directed towards medical assistance for veterans.

The original production by the National Centre RUSSIA is being held on 7 and 8 May. The livestream will be available on 8 May on our website in the "Livestreams and Videos" section, as well as on the website of the Zvezda TV channel. The performance "Soldiers’ Dreams" unites generations, recalls the heroism of a multi-ethnic nation and inspires new achievements. The production "Soldiers’ Dreams" became a vivid confirmation that the memory of the Great Victory lives in people’s hearts and is passed down from generation to generation.