In 2022, the festival carried the question, Is there happiness, under a playful banner of Guess Game. People often ask how the subject comes to life. The team at Nikola-Lenivets operates as a primarily independent art institution, funded by its own audience. This independence shapes the way the work is approached, making it possible to pursue topics that resonate with the audience’s feelings and experiences. Today, new projects are being developed with the aim of delivering value to attendees.
Last year’s theme, Is there happiness, began with a declarative note but evolved in response to unfolding events, eventually carrying a question mark. This year, the theme Guess Game explores the human tendency to chase a glimpse of the future within endless streams of thought. The message is clear: the future remains uncertain, and the festival reframes that uncertainty as play. Beautiful imagery emerges from the coffee grounds, inviting visitors to pause and enjoy the moment.
– Is there a single person selecting the topic, or does the team contribute collectively?
– Anton Kochurkin coordinates as festival curator, yet the theme is developed with the entire team. The more perspectives involved, the better the team can gauge the audience’s mood and ensure the concept speaks to them accurately.
When does the festival begin?
– The program’s core framework needs to be outlined at least a year in advance. It does not happen by chance. Archstoyanie features architectural elements that required long design and construction periods, so planning is thorough and deliberate.
– You are responsible for the music program. What should audiences expect this year?
– Archstoyanie is a contemporary arts festival, and performances are crafted as significant musical events that align with the venue. The main program launches on Saturday, July 29, with a fire-scene opening. Rather than gathering everyone in one place, audiences will assemble around several fires across a broad area.
This year highlights contemporary composition. Vladimir Gorlinsky is composing a piece titled Pyrodrama, scored for 16 musicians and percussion. The layout places musicians so listeners can experience the work from multiple angles as they move through the concert zone. Sixteen sound sources are arranged to weave through various sound panels, with the fire itself threaded into the score as a separate sonic element.
On the main stage, Shortparis, Pompeya, Edi and polnalyubvi will perform. The traveling bus from Chill-rave label Leveldva will become a stage, while the improv collective Parniк will occupy the jam space for improvisational collaborations in different formats. In total, seven stages will operate as a single, expansive music venue, offering guests the freedom to choose their preferred experiences.
Will there be secret performances this year?
Not likely. The festival already features numerous stages, and there will be more than enough to explore without adding hidden scenes.
– The lineup leans heavily on Russian musicians. Is this tied to the festival’s concept, or are international artists avoiding participation?
– Over time it became clear that foreign artists were not essential to the program. During the pandemic, international musicians stopped traveling, and the festival prioritized integrating local artists into the performances. International tours often follow a fixed blueprint and resist adaptation, whereas the festival seeks authentic collaboration with Russian artists, deepening the link to contemporary culture within the region.
For example, many Russian bands had the chance to participate in sound checks and interact with audiences last year. When performers meet the audience as real people rather than distant icons, a genuine connection forms. That human-to-human bridge matters far more than foreign star power. There is a challenge to overcome in Russia: making modern culture a visible, accessible part of daily life where writers and artists mingle with the public. Culture should be experienced in the open, not behind barriers or separate from everyday life. The aim is to foster direct, personal encounters with artists and ideas.
– Archstoyanie marks its 17th edition this year. What does Nikola-Lenivets symbolize to you personally?
– The site has always felt like home. Visiting as a child, one discovers a place that nurtures a belief: create what you believe in around you. The founder’s family legacy helped shape this path, and the village setting keeps the energy intimate and unpretentious. People come seeking a glimpse of another life, not a curated perfection. The park exists as a living example of what art can be when it stays accessible and integrated with daily life, rather than hidden behind barriers. Russia is vast and full of remarkable, historically significant places that can be revived with energy and care. Archstoyanie demonstrates a possible future where art and place coexist and offer an alternative lens on the country’s identity.
– Has the Russian-Ukrainian conflict affected the festival? Has it become harder to operate? If so, what changed?
– External events inevitably influence what happens. The impact is felt in the atmosphere and in how audiences engage on social networks, where tension can color conversations. People seek new experiences in response, and many choose festivals as a respite. Security becomes a more important consideration, and the approach to safety in operations shifts accordingly. It is necessary to adapt quickly to changing circumstances while maintaining a sense of openness and curiosity among attendees.
– In 2018, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church criticized Nikola-Lenivets for burning an art object resembling a temple during Maslenitsa, though no direct religious symbolism was intended. Did this incident influence the team’s approach or set boundaries on topics?
– The focus remains on a small, self-contained realm that centers on beauty, harmony, and personal discovery rather than politics. The festival does not aim to comment on broader political issues but to create a space where visitors can share a weekend and experience joy together. Religion and sexuality are not the focal points here; the aim is the universal search for meaning through art and human connection.
– Some festivals faced significant financial losses due to sponsor withdrawal. What sustains Archstoyanie? Is government support part of the plan?
– Government funding for commercial events is rarely available, which underscores gaps in cultural policy. The festival relies on ticket sales and sponsorship integrations, with many Russian companies showing interest in engaging with the audience. Archstoyanie remains the flagship event for Nikola-Lenivets. The space operates year-round, so the installations and art objects continue to exist beyond the festival weekend, enabling a longer presence in the cultural calendar. This continuity helps draw visitors even in winter and supports a broader model than festivals that rely on a single peak moment.
How many people attended last year?
– The festival typically attracts around 6,000 to 8,000 visitors. Based on the responses and growing interest, attendance is expected to rise slightly this year. This level maintains a balance between sociability and preserving the chance to connect with nature and the night sky, which are central to the experience and the festival’s core appeal.