The upcoming edition of the Golden Mask festival, a prestigious national theater celebration, will kick off with a non-competition segment titled Mask Plus. This opening program promises to showcase fresh perspectives on contemporary stagecraft and to highlight voices that push in new directions. The event will unfold across multiple venues, with emphasis on the European Theater in St. Petersburg hosting the premiere of The Most City, a production by the Maly Drama Theater. The festival’s organizers note that audiences can expect a curated mix of modern takes and inventive interpretations that reflect the evolving landscape of Russian theater. The program is being presented with the support of the festival’s press service.
Several performances will travel between cities, with shows taking place in Moscow, Tyumen, and St. Petersburg, where the festival culminates. The traveling component mirrors the festival’s aim to bring exciting artistry to diverse audiences and to demonstrate the breadth of contemporary stage work available across Russia. The organizers emphasize that the repertoire includes bold contemporary texts, as well as adaptations and original compositions created expressly for the stage, spanning a range of themes and formats. In total, eight productions were selected for this edition, offering audiences a spectrum from intimate chamber pieces to more expansive dramatic works. The festival’s programming stresses variety, accessibility, and engagement with current artistic concerns.
In another strand of cultural activity during the winter season, a separate arts festival led by a renowned conductor opened in Sochi. The program features a distinguished roster of performers from theater and cinema, including celebrated actors and opera talents, as well as jazz artists and ballet professionals. The lineup also highlights collaborations with international performers, illustrating the festival’s commitment to global artistic exchange. This multi-disciplinary gathering underscores the region’s vibrant performing arts scene and its capacity to attract top-tier talent and diverse audiences. The atmosphere is described as dynamic, with audiences encouraged to experience a broad spectrum of performances, from dramatic storytelling to musical experimentation. The influence of major institutions and guest performers contributes to a lively, culturally rich winter calendar across the country, inviting spectators to explore new artistic conversations and shared experiences.