On August 19, a grand-scale music festival titled “Russian Summer. ZaRussia” unfolded with a vibrant blend of performances and tributes. The organizers showcased a lively program featuring Alexander Ivanov and the rock ensemble Rondo, alongside a parade of Russian heroes and a series of creative and sports master classes that drew attendees in from far and wide.
From the stage, a speaker greeted the crowd with warmth, saying, I’m on stage carrying the best feelings and impressions of your city. Such gatherings leave lasting memories, especially now when showing unity with one’s country and leadership matters deeply to many. The sentiment resonated through the audience in Orel as the festival carried its message forward.
Participants of the project World’s Most Powerful Nation were in charge of the athletic segment, giving spectators a glimpse of elite strength performances in powerlifting. Among the featured athletes were Alexander Klokov, the strongest man from Lipetsk, Alexander Kuzmin, a champion in international strongman competitions, and Alexei Ignatiev, along with Evgeny Orekhov, all showcasing powerlifting prowess on stage.
The festival’s dance program was directed by Ilshat Shabaev, a renowned Russian dancer, choreographer, and musical artist, who guided the performances and stage movements with precision and flair.
Poets from Orel and the Oryol region shared the stage of literature, presenting new and traditional works. Antonina Sytnikova, Larisa Panina, and Andrey Shendakov read their poems to the audience, weaving the cadence of verse into the festival’s broader cultural tapestry.
An interactive booth by the People’s Front offered guests a chance to record short video messages in support of the Russian army, turning the festival into a platform for public expression and solidarity.
Governor Andrey Klychkov of the Oryol Region attended the event, emphasizing that nothing unites people more than shared ideas. The festival, he noted, connected many cities and individuals under a central purpose: For Russia. He added that alongside festive days, ongoing humanitarian aid efforts were coordinated to deliver supplies to front-line areas within the Oryol region, underscoring a commitment to both celebration and support for service members.
The festival, launched at the beginning of August, is scheduled to continue its journey until September 8, with a planned total of 26 cities visited, stretching from Anadyr to Smolensk and weaving a nationwide thread through diverse communities.
Project Russian Summer. ZaRussia operates with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, the People’s Front popular movement, and the Public Chamber of Russia, aligning cultural celebration with civic engagement and national pride.