Russian Seasons project begins in Brazil

MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - The Russian Seasons international cultural project has begun in Rio de Janeiro, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova said.

"We are beginning Russian Seasons in Brazil. A gala by Merited Artist of Russia Ildar Abdrazakov and winners of the International Tchaikovsky Competition unveiled the project at a central venue of Rio de Janeiro, the City Theater," Lyubimova said on Telegram.

Brazil is the first country in Latin America to host Russian Seasons, she said.

The project features performances by the Russia folk ensemble, the Russian Ballet Academy, the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater, and the Puppet Theater, in addition to the Russian Film Week, exhibitions, lectures and master classes. Russian Seasons will end with a performance by Igor Butman's Moscow Jazz Orchestra in December.

"I have no doubt that the remarkable program of Russian Seasons will leave an impression on the Brazilian public and will become part of the history of Russian-Brazilian cooperation," Lyubimova said.

Russian Seasons is a large-scale project presenting Russian culture to foreign audiences. They have been held in Japan, Italy and Germany. France, Belgium and Luxembourg were due to host Russian Seasons in 2020, but some of the events were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2021, Russian Seasons took place in South Korea and Belgium. They were due to be held in Denmark, Sweden and Norway in 2022 but were cancelled. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan hosted Russian Seasons in 2023.