Days of Russian Culture will be held in AbkhaziaThe events will take place on 16 and 17 April in Sukhum

The events will continue the cultural exchange between the two countries: in early April this year, the State Honored Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Abkhazia named after Vasily Tsargush (artistic director – People’s Artist of the Republic of Abkhazia, People’s Artist of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Valery Tania) performed in Moscow, Vladimir, and Nizhny Novgorod.

The Days of Russian Culture in Abkhazia will open with acting master classes by Honored Artist of Russia Olga Zhevakina and Russian theater and film actress Anna Garnova at the F. Iskander State Russian Drama Theater and the S. Chanba Abkhaz State Drama Theater. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the techniques and styles of Russian acting school.

The Central Exhibition Hall will host a meeting with Olga Galakhova, Deputy Artistic Director and Dramaturg at the State Academic Maly Theatre, PhD in Art History, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper DA (Actor’s House), Editor-in-Chief of the Stanislavsky magazine, Lecturer in the Art History Department of the M. Shchepkin Higher Theatre School (Institute) at the State Academic Maly Theatre of Russia, and Assistant Artistic Director of the Moscow Provincial Theatre.

The series of events will conclude on April 17 with a performance by the Kalmyk State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble Tyulpan (Tulip) on the stage of the R. Gumba Abkhazian State Philharmonic. Founded in 1937, the ensemble not only strives to preserve folklore in its original form but also develops folk art traditions and creates new forms and means of artistic expression. The concert program will feature ancient slow songs and works by contemporary Kalmyk composers, ethnic dances, and large-scale vocal and choreographic suites on contemporary themes.

For the Abkhaz audience, the ensemble has prepared a program introducing the best examples of national music and dance. They will perform: the mystery play Tsam; national dances Nyarin Bi (Holiday in the Khoton), Beryachudyn Bi (Dance of the Daughters-in-Law), Shepherds and Chichrdg; Kalmyk folk songs Bichkn Ker Myor (Little Bay Horse), Comic Song, and a potpourri of Kalmyk folk melodies; dances and songs to the music of the Kalmyk composer, author of the national anthem of the republic Arkady Mandzhiev – Festive Suite, Dedication to the Soldiers of the 1812 Patriotic War, Bamb Tsetsg (Tulips) and Torguda Bi (Dance of the Torguts). The soloists are Honored Artist of Kalmykia Diana Boskhomdzhieva and Aisa Bryugidikova.

The highlight of the evening will be a performance by the group of yatga players of the Tyulpan (Tulip) State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of Kalmykia. For the Abkhaz audience, the lady musicians from the group will play the Kalmyk national struck string instrument yatga and perform the Kalmyk folk songs Bogshurgas (Sparrows) and Kharada (Swallow). The concert program will also feature an excerpt from the epic poem Dzhangar, performed by People’s Artist of Kalmykia Kultan Mukubenov (guttural singing).

In addition, on the day of the concert, a photo exhibition Dialogue of Cultures between Russia and Abkhazia, will open in the foyer of the R. Gumba Abkhaz State Philharmonic, showcasing the history of collaboration between the two countries in the creative sphere.

The Russian-Abkhazian Cultural Exchange Days are a traditional annual collaboration between the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Abkhazia. As part of the interdepartamental cooperation program signed in 2025, tours of performing companies are organized in both countries, and Russian and Abkhaz performers participate in international music festivals and competitions in Abkhazia and Russia.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The event is organized by the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture ROSCONCERT.