Days of Abkhazian Culture were held in RussiaThe events took place from 2 to 6 April in Moscow, Vladimir, and Nizhny Novgorod

Days of Abkhazian Culture in Russia is a traditional format for cultural exchange between the two countries. Every year, as part of the interdepartamental cooperation program,  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.

The Days of Abkhazian Culture in Russia opened on 2 April at the Moscow State Academic Theater “Russian Song.” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Russian Federation Alkhas Kvitsinia and Director of the Department of State Support for Arts and Folk Art of the Russian Ministry of Culture Anna Gribanova were among the guests.

Moscow audiences enjoyed a performance by an ensemble known for its vibrant and distinctive style —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 and People’s Artist of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Valery Tania). After the concert in Moscow the ensemble started its Russian tour. The artists of the ensemble performed at the Vladimir Regional Philharmonic and on the stage of the Kremlin Concert Hall of the Nizhny Novgorod State Academic Philharmonic named after Mstislav Rostropovich.

Founded in 1931, the ensemble is celebrating its 95th anniversary and is one of the oldest national ensembles in Abkhazia. In honor of the anniversary, the ensemble performed a traditional Burka dance for a Russian audience, a stage d rendition of an Abkhaz wedding celebration (the suite Abkhazian Wedding), a composition My Abkhazia, that tells about the beauty of the Abkhazian land and culture of the republic, folk marching songs Ozbak and Samatkhua, and the legendary Russian Katyusha.

Continuing the creative exchange, the reciprocal Days of Russian Culture will open in Sukhum on 16 April. Abkhaz audiences will be invited to watch performances by the State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of Kalmykia Tulip.

With the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Abkhazia. The Days of Culture are organized by the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture ROSCONCERT.