Over 20 Russian groups will participate in the 34th April Spring Friendship Art Festival.The festival will take place in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from  1 to 30 April

The April Spring Friendship Art Festival has been held since 1982. Its goal is to develop exchanges and cooperation between cultural and artistic figures from around the world based on the ideals of independence, peace, and friendship. Groups and performers from all over Russia participate in the festival, receiving a unique opportunity to showcase their artistic skills to Korean audiences. Their performances are an invariably important component of cultural exchange between Russia and the DPRK.

As the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova noted,

“the festival has long been a recognized symbol of peace and genuine friendship among peoples. Russia fully supports its humanitarian mission. Our regular participation in the festival is a steadfast tradition, reflecting the enduring nature of our comprehensive strategic partnership. We highly appreciate the special attention the Korean side traditionally places on the participation of outstanding Russian artists. Their artistry and professionalism invariably evoke a sincere response from audiences and the festival jury.”

The event will be dedicated to the 114th anniversary of the birth of the great leader of the Korean people, Kim Il Sung. In collaboration with the Korean side and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Federal State Budgetary Cultural Institution ROSCONCERT, this year a high level of representation of Russian artists at one of the most important events in Korean cultural life is achieved.

As part of the Festival, concert programs by ensembles and solo performers, as well as theater productions from more than 20 countries, will be broadcast on Korean television.

Based on the selection results of the Organizing Committee, 22 performing companies and individual performers from Russia will take part in the festival this year, including: the Alexandrov Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army, the St. Petersburg State Academic Capella; the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard of the Russian Federation; the State Academic Russian Folk Choir named after M. Pyatnitsky; the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble of Adygea Nalmes; the State Academic Order of Friendship of Peoples Dance Ensemble Alan; the State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of Kalmykia Tulip; the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble named after Fayzi Gaskarov of the Republic of Bashkortostan; the State Academic Dance Ensemble Ural; the State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Adygea Islamey; the State Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments Russian Prowess named after A. Shipitko; the Ryazan State Academic Russian Folk Choir named after E. Popov; the State Dance Theater of Kalmykia Oiraty; the State Song and Dance Ensemble Volga named after V.A. Ionov; the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir; the State Academic Honored Dance Ensemble of Dagestan Lezginka; the ViVA group; the Aleksandrov Park group; the Russian State Circus Company (Rosgoscirk); Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Denis Maidanov; and singer Alexandra Vorobyova.

Russian guest performers will introduce North Korean audiences to the arts of various regions of Russia: folk songs and dances, national musical instruments, traditional costumes, and the music of Russian and Soviet composers.

Some ensembles have also recorded Korean songs specifically for the April Spring festival.” The concert program of the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard of the Russian Federation will open with Song of Comrade Kim Il Sung (soloist: Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev) and Song of Comrade Kim Jong Il. The Pyatnitsky Choir recorded the Korean songs Arirang and Our Dear Father (the ensemble also performed these works at a 2025 concert in Pyongyang), and the ViVA group will perform the Korean song Oh, Loving Father.

The Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre will present several fragments of the ballet One Thousand and One Nights to Korean audiences: The Tale of Sinbad and the Roc, The Tale of Aladdin and Princess Budur, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

Recordings of concerts by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Denis Maidanov and Russian singer and winner of the third season of the TV show The Voice Alexandra Vorobyova will also be broadcast. A highlight of the Russian program will be a broadcast of performances by the Russian State Circus Company, a regular participant and multiple winner of the Festival.

Maya Batutemirova, Principal Choirmaster of the State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of Kalmykia Tulip and Honored Artist of the Republic of Kalmykia, notes that “for any creative company, participation in the festival is a platform for getting acquainted with world cultures. For several decades, the ‘April Spring’ festival has brought together talents from all over the globe. We thank the organizers for the invitation and are pleased to present the unique Kalmyk culture. We wish the festival participants new creative achievements and, as we say in Kalmykia, a ‘white road.'”