The traditional festival will be held in an unusual mode
Every November, lovers of Russian culture traditionally come to the city of Essen, which is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, for the Festival “Russia Visiting Essen”. 2020 has become a special year for many interesting cultural events in Germany, and indeed around the world.
The requirements of a modern hygienic concept related to overcoming the coronavirus pandemic in Germany provide for the refusal of events with the participation of a large number of spectators. We had to abandon the usual festival format. The lack of regular international rail and air connections between Germany and Russia also complicates cultural exchange between our countries. However, if this year it is impossible to hold the traditional festival as usual, this does not mean that there will not be a meeting with Russian culture in general.
The citizens of Germany will get this opportunity by participating in the “Days of Russian Culture in Essen” (November 21-27). The event was prepared by the public association “Rhine-Ruhr-Russland” and the Friendship Society “Essen – Nizhny Novgorod” with the participation of the city administration of Essen, the Russian sister city of Nizhny Novgorod, the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia and Interkultur Ruhr. The Essen Cathedral, the Essen-Borbeck Castle and the Duisburg Ballet School have become friends and partners of the Days of Russian Culture.
In accordance with the requirements of the time, some of the events of the Days of Russian Culture are held online. It has become customary that the Russian side during the festival brings an interesting exhibition and represents a certain region of Russia. Thus, Khakassia, Dagestan, Voronezh and Lipetsk regions and other regions were guests of the exhibitions of the past years. In 2019, the International Union of German Culture had the opportunity to present the history and culture of Russian Germans in photographs.
The tradition of holding photo exhibitions has been transferred to the Internet today. Photographs could be submitted to the competition from October 1 to November 1, and during the “Days of Russian Culture” in Essen, the best photos are awarded prizes and gifts. Not only the inhabitants of Essen, but also of all Germany, had the opportunity to present their creative works about various regions of Russia to the judgment of the competent jury of the photo competition “Russia in the XXI century – my view from Germany.” Congratulations to the winners! The most impressive and original works, selected by the jury, can be viewed on the website: www…rhein–ruhr–russland…de and on facebook: Festival der russischen Kultur: Russland zu Gast in Essen…
2020 will go down in history not only as the year of the pandemic, but also as the year of anniversaries. Two anniversaries ─ of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the “forge of new art” VKHUTEMAS ─ other events are dedicated to Essen.
On November 21, at 14:00, a master class by choreographer Marina Dzhigauri is being prepared at the Essen-Borbeck castle under the slogan “Tchaikovsky forever”. Many people dream of discovering the secret of the beauty of ballet movements, try their hand at ballet, hear the music of the ballet “The Nutcracker” and dance with Marie, the Nutcracker himself and the Fairy of Flowers. This mini-course gives us such a chance. There, in the castle, on November 27, a piano concert of the outstanding Russian pianist, laureate of Russian and international music competitions, Vladimir Mogilevsky will take place. In a concert dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the brilliant composer, Vladimir Mogilevsky will perform the popular and less well-known masterpieces of the Russian classic.
Ticket booking: www…rhein–ruhr–russland…de
Address holding: Essen-Borbeck, Schlosspark. Schlossstr. 101, travel: S 9 to the stop “Borbeck Bahnhof”, 5 min. on foot, or by bus. 140, tram 103 to the “Schloss Borbeck” stop.
Tchaikovsky’s vocal works will be performed by the stars of the Russian and international opera scene on November 25 at the Cathedral of St. Cosmas and Damian (Münsterkirche Essen). Dmitry Ivanchey, soloist of the Aalto Opera House in Essen, Dmitry Lavrov, soloist of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and the chamber choir of St. Constantine and Helena (conducted by Elena Mogilevskaya) will perform for the invited guests with a wonderful vocal program.
The events will be held taking into account sanitary and hygienic requirements, the recording can be viewed on youtube.
And one more online event awaits the participants of the Days of Russian Culture in Essen. On November 22 at 15:00 a video conference with the partner city of Nizhny Novgorod on the topic “VKHUTEMAS – what is it?” It will be interesting! Login by link: info@deutsch-russische-begegnung.de…
So, friends, there is an opportunity to participate in activities online. We are waiting for everyone on the air, but in real life, we hope to see you!
Love Yakovleva-Schneider.
Unfortunately, it became known yesterday that all planned offline events for Tchaikovsky’s anniversary, in accordance with the restrictions imposed to combat the pandemic, will be held online.
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