On 27 February, the international project “Russian Seasons” by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation opened in Bangkok, the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The opening ceremony was held at the Thailand Cultural Center, attended by Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova and the evening’s guest of honor, Her Excellency Mrs. Tanchanok Phagudom, Royal Representative of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Narirat Ratchakanya.
Olga Lyubimova noted: “It’s gratifying to realize that each year our peoples are discovering new facets of the creative development of our two countries. I am convinced that the ‘Russian Seasons’ are destined to become a special reference point, ushering in a new, even more intense and meaningful phase of our relations. I would like to thank our Thai partners – first and foremost the Ministry of Culture of Thailand – for their assistance in implementing this project. Thanks to our joint efforts, the audience will have an opportunity to encounter incredibly beautiful and profound examples of Russian art, which rightfully form the ‘golden fund’ of world cultural heritage.”
The Minister and the guest of honor visited the Moscow School of Mosaic’s exhibition Diaghilev. “Russian Seasons.” Dress Rehearsal. Natalia Zaitseva, the representative of the School gave the guests a guided tour of the display of mosaics dedicated to the 154th birthday of the renowned Russian theater figure Sergei Diaghilev and the premieres of the one-act ballets Petrushka and The Firebird.
Mrs. Yuthika Itsarangkun, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion of the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, also attended the opening ceremony. She welcomed the audience on behalf of the Ministry and the Minister of Culture of Thailand, Sabida Thaiseth, and expressed hope for the further strengthening of the cultural partnership between Russia and Thailand, noting that “a series of events as part of the ‘Russian Seasons’ will contribute to strengthening mutual understanding, deepening people-to-people ties, and developing cultural cooperation, creating positive momentum for the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Russia in 2027.”
The central event of the “Russian Seasons” opening in Thailand was the concert From Classics to Jazz by People’s Artist of the Russian Federation and virtuoso pianist Denis Matsuev, featuring leading Russian musicians Andrei Ivanov (double bass), Borislav Strulev (cello), Sofia Wieland (flute), Sofia Tyurina (saxophone), David Tkebuchava (percussion), and Ekaterina Mochalova (domra), accompanied by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Yuri Tkachenko, Honored Artist of Russia and one of Russia’s leading conductors, was conducting the evening. This premiere program included improvisations on works by Edvard Grieg, Aram Khachaturian, Alexander Borodin, Paul Desmond, and other composers. The national anthems of the two countries and the royal anthem of Thailand were also performed.
The audience greeted the performance by Russian musicians with a long, warm ovation, which continued after the traditional flower-presenting ceremony on behalf of Her Highness Princess Sirivannavari Narirat Ratchakanya of Thailand.
The “Russian Seasons” in Thailand will continue until the end of the year in Bangkok and Phuket. The program will include concerts by world-class Russian artists, a Russian Film Festival, theater performances, master classes, lectures, and a series of exhibitions.
On the first day of spring, Lumpini Park will host an open-air concert featuring Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Andrei Ivanov and laureates of international competitions Borislav Strulev, Sofia Viland, Sofia Tyurina, David Tkebuchava, and Ekaterina Mochalova, accompanied by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
The venue of the Thai Children’s Russian Folk Dance Ensemble Katyusha, which has been working in the Kingdom for over 15 years, will host master classes from the Karachay-Cherkessia Dance Theater.
On the same day, the Altai State Youth Song and Dance Ensemble named after A. Berezikov will perform a concert program Tribute to Rachmaninoff on Phuket Island. This production under artistic direction of the great ballet master Vladimir Vasiliev, choreographed by winner of international competitions Alexei Rastorguev and set to the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2, tells the story of the lives of people in a small, remote town, who are dealing with eternal questions: hope, love, and faith.
On 2 March, a master class for Thai dancers and choreographers from the Altai State Youth Song and Dance Ensemble will be held during the day the AKSRA Theater (Bangkok), followed by an evening concert by the Dance Theater of the State Philharmonic of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Especially for Thailand, the artists have prepared the finest examples of Caucasian dance, captivating with their originality and revealing the beauty of the national character of southern Russia. The Karachay-Cherkessia Dance Theater’s tour will continue on 4 March with a performance in Phuket at the Lotus Arena concert hall.
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“Russian Seasons” is a major international project of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, with events held in one or more foreign countries throughout the calendar year. In 2025, “Russian Seasons” were held simultaneously in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman.
The project presents Russia as a country that carefully preserves and develops its rich cultural heritage and traditions. “Russian Seasons” is a multi-genre cultural festival, with a program that includes events ranging from classical music concerts and theatrical performances to art exhibitions, educational projects, lectures, and master classes. The events of the “Russian Seasons” have already been attended by over 13 million people.
