This summer is packed with important cultural events. We've prepared a selection of the most striking festivals for you!
Archstoyanie Festival
Archstoyanie is the largest land-art and landscape art objects festival, held in the "Nikola-Lenivets" park and is one of the most significant events in Europe and Russia. The festival takes place annually, in winter and summer.
The festival has been held since 2006. Its name is connected to the fact that the site is located near the Ugra River, where the famous Stand on the Ugra took place. Nikolay Polissky, the veteran participant and the festival's conceptual inspirer, invites architects each year to create art objects from natural materials—wood, snow, straw, etc. Some of these objects have functional purposes, for example, rafts, swings, the longest trampoline in Europe at 50 meters, and even toilets. Most objects are intended for interaction with visitors—you can walk through them, climb on them, or ride them. The art objects created thanks to the festival have become an integral part of the Nikola-Lenivets art park. Over the years, 101 art objects have been created here, with participation from more than 150 authors from different countries. Currently, there are 27 objects on the park's territory, including those that are not part of the festival and were created by Nikolay Polissky himself.
This year, the Archstoyanie festival will present an exhibition created by five architects and five artists. Each of them is invited to fill a four-meter chapel with the result of their personal experience.
The festival not only contributes to the development of contemporary architecture and landscape art, but also aims to institutionalize this place as an international expo center where art, architecture, and landscape are realized. It can also be seen as a way to develop the territory and create a unique environment through contemporary sociocultural, agrarian, and artistic practices. The festival's goal is also to create a sustainable ecosystem that will change people's ways of life.
When: July 28-30, 2023\r\nWhere: Nikola-Lenivets Art Park, Kaluga Oblast\r\nArchstoyanie | Nikola-Lenivets (stoyanie.ru)
International Eco-Ethnic Puppet Theater Festival 'Chir Chayaan'
Today the "Chir Chayaan" festival has become a symbol of the Republic of Khakassia and one of the most popular theatrical events of the year. It has been held every two years in the first decade of July since 2003. The festival's distinctive feature is the presentation of new practices and technologies of contemporary puppet theater, as well as the choice of themes for performances such as family, ecology, and the diversity of cultures and traditions in national tales and legends.
In 2023 the festival will, for the first time, take place exclusively in open-air venues, including squares, streets, and intersections, and will host 15 theatre companies from Russia and 5 companies from Turkey, Japan, China, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan.
The region has ancient roots of theatricalized performances. Khakassian theatrical art began in shamanic kamlanie rituals and was performed by Khakassian storytellers, also known as haiji. These performances were true dramas created for audiences, with the shaman playing the central role. The shaman was expected to possess charisma, good memory, expressiveness, and high artistic sensibility. He would put on a ritual costume and use a cult musical instrument—the drum (tyur)—during his performances. This tradition has been preserved and will be represented at the festival.
When: July 2-10, 2023\r\nWhere: Abakan\r\nInternational Eco-Ethnic Puppet Theater Festival 'Chir Chayaan' (chirchayaan.ru)
Tavrida.ART Festival
The Tavrida.ART festival is a unique gathering of representatives from various fields of art such as architecture, literature, sculpture, design, music, painting, and cinema. The Tavrida art cluster is a creative community where experienced and emerging creators meet, exchange ideas, and discuss current and future projects.
Every year the festival brings together thousands of participants and spectators. Guests of the cluster are constantly in an emotionally charged atmosphere, as the festival program includes concerts, shows, competitions, grant distributions, and educational projects where everyone can express their creative abilities.
Participation is open to all, because at the festival there are no mere observers—every guest is immersed in the creative atmosphere and becomes part of a large creative community.
For festival spectators there is an entertainment program that includes cinemas, sporting events, concerts by well-known musicians, master classes, lectures, and much more.
Throughout the days, participants and spectators of Tavrida.ART can enjoy daytime and evening programs, which include art carnivals, creative meetings, performances, concerts, film screenings, festivals, sports competitions, prize draws, and contests.
When: August 17-21, 2023\r\nWhere: Sudak\r\nArt Cluster 'Tavrida' (tavrida.art)
Ethno-Landscape Festival 'Zov Parmy'
You can hear the old legends coming to life here. They say that at this festival you can visit three eras in one day. They say it's the brightest and most memorable summer event in Perm. Zov Parmy is always loud, vibrant, and unforgettable. And every time unique. Guests from different regions of Russia, as well as from Perm and the Perm Krai, gather on the festival field near the village of Seryogovo to immerse themselves in the world of traditions, feel the historical atmosphere, and become part of amazing events. Zov Parmy is an extraordinary and unforgettable festival. Where else can you attend a tournament in one day where the swords of medieval warriors ring, then join a circle dance, visit a herbalist's hut, and enjoy fantastic songs with ethnic motifs? A cheerful fair, woodcarving master classes, picturesque performances by folk theaters, songs and dances—there's entertainment for everyone at the festival. Talks about folk traditions, quests, games, and a variety of workshops attract many participants. Zov Parmy leaves unforgettable impressions on guests and participants. Here the past and present intertwine, the spirit of the ancient land of Parma is felt, and real miracles happen here every year.
When: July 21-23, 2023\r\nWhere: Cherdyn, Perm Krai\r\n'ZOV PARMY' Ethno-Landscape Festival 21-23.07 (vk.com)
