Russia launches the first celebration of Artist's Day
An official event marking the start of the year of celebrations dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia was held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 17 January. The date was chosen deliberately, as Russia is marking the new professional holiday Artist's Day for the first time on this day, timed to the birthday of the reformer of Russian theatre, Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky. As part of Artist's Day, cultural figures were presented with state awards.
"Today we honour worthy representatives of the country’s artistic community, those who devote themselves, their talent and creative energy to the theatre stage and cinema, variety and circus arts, and who through their inspired work make a constructive contribution to preserving our unique historical, cultural and spiritual heritage, to developing traditions of selfless service, enlightenment and dedicated service to the people, passed down from generation to generation. We will always remember our outstanding actors who, during the Great Patriotic War, fought at the front, travelled to the front line as part of concert brigades, and performed for the wounded in hospitals. And, of course, special words of gratitude go to the artists who today, during the special military operation, support our heroes. I am confident that today’s holiday will be held on a high creative note, will acquire traditions, and will become a notable event in the rich palette of celebratory events dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation," the welcoming address of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, was read out by the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Sergei Kiriyenko.
Sergei Kiriyenko added that during the special military operation, Russian artists and actors have given more than 25,000 concerts and performances at the front line and in hospitals for servicemen. According to him, more than two thousand artists and cultural figures took part in these events, acting while risking their lives. He emphasised that such activity represents genuine service.
"The Union of Theatre Workers is far more than a mutual aid society for actors. It is a key organisation that supports the development, careful preservation and continuation of the traditions of Russian theatre and Russian culture. When I speak about Russian theatre and Russian culture, which are among the most important assets of world culture, I am not speaking about nationality. The tradition of Russian theatre and Russian culture has been upheld, continues to be upheld and developed by actors, directors and cultural figures of different nationalities and different faiths. Their work is a major contribution to global culture. One of the traditions of Russian culture and Russian theatre has always been to stand with its people. This was the case during the Great Patriotic War, as our President has said, and this is how it is today <...> The mission of culture is, of course, the upbringing of the younger generation. The Union of Theatre Workers and Russian theatre foster love for the native language, understanding and respect for the classical works of Russian culture, the ability to empathise, the ability to distinguish good from evil, and they nurture the soul," Sergei Kiriyenko noted.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Tatyana Golikova said that the launch of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia is accompanied by large-scale federal support, including funding, the restoration of infrastructure, and the organisation of events across the country. According to her, these efforts are aimed at preserving and developing traditions that play a key educational role.
"Artist's Day is a celebration of a big artistic family represented by theatre professionals, film figures, playwrights, musicians, variety and circus artists. You are doing one great shared task: passing on our cultural traditions and cultural code from generation to generation. The President instructed us to prepare seriously for this event. As in any other commemorative year, an appropriate plan has been drawn up, but the key point is that this is not a capital-centred event. It concerns the whole of Russia. To date, all regions have adopted their own decisions on supporting and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers. The celebrations in 2026 will take place from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad, from Murmansk to Sevastopol, and will bring cultural events to our entire large Russian community, as well as to our friends who are happy to visit our country," Tatyana Golikova said.
Artist's Day is a new professional holiday established by the Government of the Russian Federation in 2025 at the initiative of the People's Artist of Russia and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Mashkov. The holiday brings together theatre professionals, film and circus artists, composers, musicians, visual artists and variety performers, all representatives of creative professions whose work is aimed at preserving and enriching Russia’s cultural heritage.
"We are grateful that our idea of establishing this holiday, the idea of the Union of Theatre Workers, was supported by both the Presidential Executive Office and the Government of Russia. For us, this is an enormous gift. Our outstanding writer and playwright Denis Fonvizin once precisely formulated the distinction between an actor and an artist. He said that an actor is a talented performer, while an artist is a creator, an author, a maker. That is why this day brings together artists of all genres: theatre, cinema, circus, opera, ballet, variety arts, visual artists, everyone who steps out to meet the audience. Stanislavsky’s system, its goals and objectives, influenced the entire world culture. No true artist can pass by his works, because, as it seems to me, he revealed the facets of success. This is sincere service, absolute faith, incredible hard work, all for the sake of stepping out to the audience and giving them unforgettable impressions," Vladimir Mashkov emphasised.
As part of the event, 23 cultural figures were presented with state awards. The Order "For Merit in Culture and Art" was awarded to Viktor Verzhbitsky, actor of the State Theatre of Nations; Alexander Korshunov, Chief Director of the Moscow Drama Theatre "Sphere"; Olga Naumenko, actress of the Moscow Drama Theatre named after N. V. Gogol; Valery Polyansky, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the State Academic Symphony Cappella of Russia; Boris Frumkin, Artistic Director of the Oleg Lundstrem State Chamber Jazz Orchestra; and Viktor Rakov, actor of the Lenkom Mark Zakharov Theatre.
The Medal "For Labour in Culture and Art" was awarded to Yekaterina Agadzhanyan, teacher at the F. I. Chaliapin Children’s Music School; Nikolai Osminov, actor of the Chelyabinsk State Academic Drama Theatre named after Naum Orlov; Kirill Rybkin, Deputy Director of the Russian State Academic Youth Theatre; and Alexei Mazur, concertmaster of the flute section of the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra.
The honorary title "People’s Artist of the Russian Federation" was conferred on Maxim Averin, actor of the Lenkom Mark Zakharov Moscow State Theatre; Alexander Oleshko, actor of the State Academic Theatre named after Yevgeny Vakhtangov; and Anna Mikhalkova, actress and Adviser to the Director General on Youth and Cultural Policy at the Russian Cultural Foundation.
The honorary title "Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Artyom Dyrul, musician of the New Russia State Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Zhigalkin, Managing Director of the A. A. Yablochkina Central House of Actors; Dmitry Zenichev, actor of the Maly Theatre of Russia; Anastasia Stashkevich, ballet dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia; and Paul Suss, musician of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia named after E. F. Svetlanov.
The honorary title "Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Zoya Dzyublo, Professor at the S. A. Gerasimov All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography.
The President of Russia expressed official gratitude to Karina Andolenko, actress of the Moscow Regional Drama Theatre, as well as to Liliya Smbulyan and Svetlana Fedorova, concertmasters of the Vivaldi Orchestra chamber ensemble.
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". In 2026, the country’s oldest public organisation will mark its anniversary. Acting on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the Government has approved an ambitious programme of celebratory events to be held across the country throughout the year. Around two thousand events of various formats are planned.
Event photobank
The National Centre RUSSIA is steadily expanding its network of regional branches.
