Festival of Russian-speaking children’s theater opened in Washington, DC – RIA Novosti

WASHINGTON, May 29 – RIA Novosti, Dmitry Zlodorev. The International Festival of Russian-speaking children’s theater started in Washington on Friday. The opening ceremony is traditionally held at the Russian Embassy in the United States.

The festival is held for the fifth time, and every year it becomes bigger. Russian Ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak called it “an amazing event.” “It is great respect the work that put the organizers. I do not know of any other such event that is so enables the Russian-speaking children in the United States to study, and continue to love the culture of their own people. It is good for future generations,” – he said.

“We are still very young, we have today is only the first anniversary, but we already have something to be proud”, – he said at the opening of the festival organizing committee chairman Anastasia Vorontsova. According to her, “in the current program – 25 performances collectives not only from America but also from Canada and other countries.” “To us came more than 500 young actors and theater managers, participated in the preparation of more than 150 volunteers and 15 other theaters, including Germany and Canada, invited as observers,” – she said.

A member of the jury – the leading actor of the Russian Academic Youth Theater Yevgeny Redko noted that “Natalia Sats, was at the forefront of children’s theater in our country wanted the theater to begin with small children.” “It turns out that now in Washington made her dream” – he added.

The ceremony was a theatrical performance. For example, last year’s winner of the show from the theater “Solo” (GA) on the stage “pulled the turnip,” “pulling” on the stage as a result of the main organizers of the festival Anastasia Vorontsov and the president of the American Association of Russian Language, Culture and Education (AARCE) Svetlana Sokolova who performed as Firefly and Bees. They, in turn, recited poetry Corneille Chukovsky how “Mucha went to the market and bought a samovar,” then came the young dancers of the ensemble “Nesting Dolls” at the Washington Orthodox church of St. John the Baptist and performed the number “Samovar”. And the guys from the band “Joy” (Texas) show number “Fleas, centipedes,” which they were five years ago at the first festival. Thus, under the guise of “centipedes” they took to the stage all the members of the jury. Its chairman – Moscow actor, director and TV host Oleg Golub wished the young artists that they “enjoyed every second spent on the stage”.

From the older generation of Russian-speaking Americans acted as president of the foundation “The Firebird” Xenia Provincial, which expressed “delight of the fact that a new generation of people who are willing to continue what we have been doing for many years – to support the Russian language and culture in the United States.” And the cathedral of St. John the Baptist’s father, Victor Potapov wished “all of God’s blessings”.

After the official part of the children was organized by the disco. The theater program of the festival will start on Friday and continue for three days. In addition to the performances, it includes a variety of “round tables” and master classes.