Canada and United States audiences will note the 150th anniversary of a key Russian theater federation
The Russian Union of Theater Employees marks a milestone 150 years after its founding, with a state ceremony to honor the occasion. The celebration was established by a presidential decree, authored by the Russian president, and published on the official legal information portal for public record. The decree designates a planning framework and sets the terms for recognizing the long history of the union and its contributions to the performing arts.
Under the decree, Sergei Kiriyenko, the first deputy head of the presidential administration, was appointed chair of the organizing committee. This body is charged with overseeing preparations and ensuring the anniversary activities reflect the union’s significance to Russian culture and its artistic communities.
The Russian Union of Theater Employees stands as one of the nation’s oldest creative associations. Its roots trace back to 1876, a period when theater workers organized to support artistic development and professional standards. Through the decades, notable figures have led and shaped the federation. In the late 1980s, Mikhail Ulyanov, widely celebrated as a People’s Artist of the USSR, directed the organization, helping to renew its mission and reach. In the early 2020s, Alexander Kalyagin, honored as a People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, served as the union’s chairman during a transitional phase.
At the extraordinary congress held in December 2023, leadership transitioned again with Vladimir Mashkov, a prominent theater and cinema artist, elected as president. Conductor Valery Gergiev took on the role of co-chairman, and Kirill Krok, a leading director from Vakhtangov Theater, was appointed as vice president. These appointments reflect a diverse leadership that bridges stage performance and musical direction across Russia’s cultural landscape.
Within the federation, theater professionals from across the country participate in a collective effort to strengthen the performing arts. The union’s core objectives focus on advancing theatrical art, supporting Russian theaters and drama schools, fostering national and international artistic exchanges, and safeguarding the social, legal, and professional interests of creative workers. This advocacy emphasizes the wellbeing of artists and the sustainability of theatrical institutions as essential cultural assets for society. (citation: official union records and contemporary press releases)