More than 1,920 events will be held across Russia during the year marking the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia

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The year marking the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation was officially launched on 17 January at the National Centre RUSSIA. On this day, Russia celebrated a new professional holiday for the first time, Artist's Day, timed to the birthday of the reformer of Russian theatre, Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky. A total of 1,921 events are planned nationwide this year. They will take place across the country and bring together thousands of theatre professionals from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. The programme of events was presented by the Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia, the initiator of the establishment of Artist's Day in Russia, the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Mashkov.

"Vladimir Lvovich Mashkov comes to us with various ideas, and we begin joint work to ensure that all these ideas, even the most extraordinary ones, are brought to life. Because theatre is magic, and to create magic on a nationwide scale in an anniversary year naturally requires incredible creativity and energy. Our task as the organising committee is to provide organisational and financial support, which is exactly what we are doing," said the Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects, Sergei Novikov.

On 26 February 2024, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 140 "On the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia". The launch of the celebratory events was timed to the birthday of Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky.

"For the first time, we are celebrating a new holiday as an entire country, Artist's Day, paying tribute to the great Russian figure Konstantin Stanislavsky. And I think that if it had happened that Konstantin Sergeyevich had learned about the energetic initiatives being prepared as part of the year marking the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia, he would certainly have been pleased to know that such people exist in Russian theatre. For our part, we will provide modest support, ensuring the most comfortable possible assistance for all the initiatives that have been presented today," said the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Sergei Pershin.

Among the key events planned as part of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia is the "Theatre Train" project, which will include theatre and museum programmes as well as touring performances in 43 cities. In total, the project will involve 160 participating theatres, 280 productions and more than 5,000 artists. After the trains arrive in Moscow, the All-Russian theatre marathon festival "Russia. Theatre. Society" will begin. It will take place on Moscow boulevards and in the city centre, in Zaryadye. Ten regional thematic forums will be held in all federal districts, focusing on discussion and the development of a concept for the development of theatre in Russia up to 2035.

Among other major events, Vladimir Mashkov also mentioned a multimedia project dedicated to Russian theatre, to be held in the historical parks "Russia — My History", the renovation of Houses of Actors in the regions, a Spartakiad for creative teams of Moscow theatres, and other projects and events. On 23 October, the Congress of the Union will take place on the historic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, where preliminary results of the anniversary year will be summed up.

"Here, at the National Centre RUSSIA, we are also preparing a large-scale multimedia exposition titled "Legacy. Theatre. The Greats". The exposition will immerse visitors in the history of theatre while also showing what it will be like in the era of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. I would like to remind everyone that no one and nothing will ever be able to replace a true living artist. Our shared goal is to ensure that the anniversary goes beyond the professional community. This celebration should be not only for theatre professionals, but also for those who have never been to the theatre. We want to bring the best productions and the best artists to them. It is often said that people come to the theatre either once and for life, or once and never again. Let us make every effort to ensure that as many of our wonderful audiences as possible come to the theatre," Vladimir Mashkov said.

The Union of Theatre Workers of Russia was founded in 1876 as a mutual aid society for Russian artists. It brings together theatre professionals across the country. Its main objectives are comprehensive support for the development of theatre art, assistance to theatres and theatre schools, the development and expansion of theatrical ties in Russia and abroad, and support for the protection of the social, legal and professional interests of theatre workers.