The Russian taste for cultural leisure leans heavily toward theatre
Across cultural pastimes, theatre stands out as the most popular option among Russians. A significant portion of the population, more than a quarter, identifies theatre as their preferred way to spend time on culture. This trend is supported by a study conducted by MTS Live and summarized by socialbites.ca, highlighting theatre as a central pillar of cultural life in the country.
Following theatre, live music events claim the second spot in popularity, attracting 17 percent of respondents. Rounding out the top choices are cinema screenings, stand up performances, visits to museums, and sports events. Educational lessons lag behind, drawing the smallest share of interest, with under 3 percent of participants naming them as their go to cultural activity.
Observers note that audience preferences arise from a mix of factors. Demographic profiles, income levels, access to cultural institutions, and regional traditions shape what people choose to attend. The results offer a clear snapshot of the current state of the entertainment market. The concert and festival sector shows signs of recovery after the pandemic and a slower return of international tours. The film market reflects a similar slowdown in foreign releases, while streaming services continue to grow in appeal. In contrast, stand up comedy is still developing on a national scale. Still, there is a broad sense among Russians that theatre offers a unique, even elite, cultural experience. Attending a live performance provides meaningful new impressions and memories, making it a highly valued form of entertainment. This interpretation aligns with the study findings from MTS Live, as discussed by experts in the field [Source: MTS Live].
Survey results indicate that most Russians allocate cultural time on a monthly basis. When choosing an event, respondents prioritize the event’s theme (about 48%), followed by recognizable names of creators or artists (around 32%), and then by recommendations from friends (exceeding 28%).
Financially, respondents report spending an average of three to five thousand rubles per outing. In addition to ticket purchases, a sizable share of attendees are willing to spend on food, with about 40% budgeting for meals and 33.2% for soft drinks. In contrast, spending on souvenirs and merchandise is comparatively modest, with fewer than a quarter of respondents indicating such expenditures.
There has been a notable rise in the number of food and beverage venues with summer verandas in Russia, reflecting trends that complement the seasonality of cultural outings and the broader hospitality landscape [Source: MTS Live].