BRICS+ International Festival of Theater Schools was launched at the RUSSIA EXPO

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The opening concert of the VII BRICS+ International Festival of Theater Schools took place at the International RUSSIA EXPO. The event featured performances by Russian artists and cultural figures, as well as children's dance groups and soloists. The festival will continue until June 8, with participants from theater schools in India, China, South Africa, Russia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Belarus.

"Participants of the festival — young and talented individuals from various countries — will present their interpretations of Alexander Pushkin's 'The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish.' Over the course of eight days, there will be masterclasses in acting and stage speech. The culmination of the festival will be a large joint performance. It is especially important that these young people will get to know our country, Moscow, and each other. Some of them might become lifelong friends," said Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the RUSSIA EXPO.

Dmitry Tomilin, Rector of the Institute of Theater Art named after People's Artist of the USSR I. D. Kobzon, Merited Cultural Worker of Moscow, and Director of the BRICS Theater Schools Festival, addressed the participants with a welcome speech.

"I welcome the participants of the VII International Festival of BRICS+ and Belarus Theater Schools. The project, created by the team of the Institute of Theater Art named after People's Artist of the USSR I. D. Kobzon, is unique and serves as a platform for cultural exchange between different countries. Today we officially open our VII International Festival and invite residents and guests of the capital to watch the performances and masterclasses of BRICS theater schools over the next eight days," said Dmitry Tomilin.

The festival promotes cultural rapprochement among BRICS countries, noted Manjiri Karulkar, head of the Kathak dance school Roopak Nrityalaya.

"We are happy that such a festival is organized by the BRICS countries. This is a wonderful exchange of culture, traditions, and art. And it is great that we can be part of it. We are grateful for the invitation. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other without a language barrier, through the universal language of art," said Manjiri Karulkar.

Actors will prepare their own versions of Alexander Pushkin's "The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish" in an open format, filled with national flavor — this will introduce the audience to the cultural features of BRICS countries. The festival will conclude with a performance titled "Let's Play Together!" — actors from different countries will participate in a joint production based on the fairy tale, combining the vision of the work in various cultures.