The Russian Ethnographic Museum in St. Petersburg recently hosted a gala dinner to celebrate the opening of the exhibition titled “Always Him.” Coverage of the event by Moskvichka magazine through its press service helped spotlight the evening as a refined convergence of culture, art, and social dialogue. Attendees from the worlds of cinema, music, design, and journalism gathered to witness the formal unveiling and to engage in conversations that bridged tradition with contemporary creative expressions. Among the notable guests were journalist Ksenia Sobchak, producer Yana Rudkovskaya, jewelry brand owner Yana Raskovalova, and singer Grigory Leps, each contributing to a lively, thoughtful atmosphere that highlighted the vitality of Russian art and culture in the current era.
Guiding the evening with a poised and attentive presence, host Yulia Baranovskaya set the tone for a night that balanced ceremony with intimate dialogue. The choreography, executed under the direction of Vladimir Varnava, brought kinetic energy to the event. Varnava, a two-time Golden Mask recipient, is recognized for his diverse talents as a dancer, choreographer, and director, and his involvement underscored the dynamic fusion of performance and visual art that characterized the night. A centerpiece of the program was the unveiling of the “Always She” art project. This installation stretched across five-meter canvases and presented psychological portraits of thirteen women, inviting visitors to move beyond observation and into personal narratives rendered through vivid imagery and color.
The evening also paid homage to Dima Bilan, an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, who appeared as a guest of honor and contributed to the evening’s resonance with a performance that connected music to the exhibition’s mood. Following the performances, guests were treated to a meticulously crafted dinner by Anatoly Kazakov, the chef at Moscow’s Selfie restaurant. The menu was curated to complement the cultural atmosphere of the gathering, blending culinary nuance with the artistry of the setting. The event took place in a private venue and benefited from the involvement of GARDENIA Beauty and Health Center, highlighting a collaboration that links cultural engagement with wellness and beauty disciplines during this season in St. Petersburg.
As part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the gala represented a deliberate alignment of cultural programming with broader economic discussions that attract international attention to the city. The occasion illustrated St. Petersburg’s ongoing commitment to presenting contemporary Russian art and to hosting high-profile cultural moments within a forum that merges business, policy, and the arts, creating a platform for cross-sector inspiration and dialogue.
Initial communications outlined that Yulia Baranovskaya would attend the gala wearing a deep-plunge dress, a detail that highlighted the event’s fashionable and stylish tenor while remaining secondary to the central celebration of art and the exhibition opening. The night, rich with performances, thoughtful conversation, and refined dining, stood as a testament to the museum’s role as a cultural beacon in St. Petersburg and to its ability to bring together leaders from diverse sectors under one roof for a shared cultural experience that resonates beyond city limits. The gathering showcased how culture can energize regional dialogue, influence public perception of the arts, and reinforce the city’s status as a hub for creative exchange and international visibility within North American and global networks.