In early June, Moscow played host to a vibrant two day event at Gorky Park celebrating children and creativity. Supported by the Moscow Ministry of Culture, the festival aims to become an annual staple on the city’s cultural calendar. Attendance surpassed seventy thousand visitors, a figure reported by the Gorky Park press service to Gazeza.Ru. The scale and energy of the festival reflected the organizers’ ambition to create a community gathering that continues to grow year after year.
The festival unfolded across the entire park, weaving together theater and circus performances with science and art, music and dance. This broad approach drew a diverse audience that ranged from families with children to seasoned theater professionals. Seven distinct venues hosted more than seventy educational and audience-centered events, ensuring there was something for every interest and age group. The event was designed to be interactive and inclusive, inviting attendees to explore and participate rather than simply observe.
Children had hands on opportunities to explore the performing arts and creative technology. They crafted cardboard instruments with the Cartonia State Theater, and watched Circus performances staged by the Antiquarian Circus. The dance floor proved the most popular stop, offering lessons in stage movement and expression that encouraged self confidence and teamwork. Beyond performance, a variety of programs taught fundamentals of programming, introduced the basics of electronic music production, and demonstrated animation techniques, giving young minds practical tools to pursue future passions.
On the festival’s first day the Ulus Theater closed its program with a concert featuring a Persian-major arrangement of popular songs associated with Muslim Magamayev, delivering a memorable musical experience. The finale on the second day featured a performance by People’s Artist of Russia Yevgeny Mironov, who performed Sergei Prokofievs symphonic fairy tale Petya and the Wolf together with his son, offering families a touching and celebratory close to the two-day celebration. The performances highlighted both traditional and contemporary artistic forms, underscoring the festival’s aim to expose children to a wide cultural spectrum.
The organizers emphasized that the festival is multi genre in scope and seeks to broaden children’s understanding of the world beyond the arts. It foregrounds science, sports, and education alongside creative expression, encouraging young attendees to see how different disciplines intersect. NEBA, the organizing body behind the event, focused on seven core areas within Gorky Park, coordinating a schedule that included more than seventy activities over the weekend. The message from officials and participants was clear: the festival is not just about watching performances, but about active participation and discovery. The emphasis on hands on learning and collaborative experiences was highlighted by festival participants and leaders alike, who encouraged young visitors to imagine new possibilities across art forms and subjects. It is a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and cultural exchange, designed to inspire a lifelong interest in creative and scientific exploration for children and families alike. The festival’s organizers reflected on its impact, noting that the breadth of offerings demonstrates the park’s capacity to host large scale, immersive events that engage audiences in meaningful ways. The impression left by the weekend was one of a thriving, welcoming space where children can experiment, learn, and connect with performers and peers from diverse backgrounds.