The "Bely Parokhod" (White Steamer) Festival

The project "Bely Parokhod" was founded by its permanent artistic director, a graduate of the V.S. Popov Academy of Choral Arts, the famous opera singer Nikolay Didenko, awarded the Prize of the President of the Russian Federation. "Bely Parokhod" runs a program of musical education, vocal training, instrumental lessons, and choral work for musically gifted children with physical disabilities. Over its twenty-year history, more than 10,000 children have participated in the project's festivals, many of whom, with the support of the "Bely Parokhod" foundation, received a musical education at the country's best educational institutions.

As per tradition, students and graduates of the Moscow A.V. Sveshnikov Choral School - the core division of the Academy of Choral Arts - took part in preparing and performing the gala concert on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. The "Bely Parokhod" Festival and the V.S. Popov Academy of Choral Arts are connected by many years of close cooperation. Traditionally, our students lend their voices to support the wonderful "Bely Parokhod" choir, as it is after participating in the charity festival that many of them decide to devote themselves to choral art and receive professional education at the Moscow Choral School. The best of the boys performed solos at the gala concert alongside already established, outstanding graduates of our Academy - Vasily Ladyuk, Igor Morozov, Oleg and Nikolay Didenko.

Growing up, having gained vocal and choral experience within the walls of the V.S. Popov Academy of Choral Arts, the young men enthusiastically work as teachers at all stages of the "Bely Parokhod" festival: auditions (which were held this year in eight Federal Districts of Russia!), classes at the vocal-choral school, rehearsals, and concert preparations. This year, the result of their creative efforts was five grand concerts – three in the Far East, one in Kazan, and the final one in Moscow on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.

Opening the Gala Concert at the Bolshoi Theatre, which was broadcast on the "Kultura" TV channel, the host read a telegram from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. "Dear friends! I welcome you to the legendary Bolshoi Theatre of Russia for the gala concert of the 20th anniversary children's charity music festival 'Bely Parokhod'. It is gratifying that your project is developing and has been uniting thousands of children from different regions of our vast country for 20 years, helping them realize their cherished dream, opening the door to the world of great art." The head of state noted that the participants of the "Bely Parokhod" festival immerse themselves in the world of genuine creativity, gaining unique experience of performing on prestigious stages across the country. In addition, young talents have the opportunity to take lessons from recognized masters of music, performers, and artists. As part of the rich cultural program, children also get acquainted with the historical and cultural landmarks not only of Moscow but also of many other Russian cities. The President expressed confidence that "Bely Parokhod" will continue to confidently follow its course, taking on board new, talented children."

It should be added that during the summer choral school in Vladivostok, on Russky Island (from July 28 to August 16), the young artists of the festival learned an extremely complex program, which was performed with great success on the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok, and the Governor of Primorsky Krai, Oleg Kozhemyako, from the stage, welcomed the festival participants and invited the "Bely Parokhod" on the first Pacific cruise with visits to Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka in 2026. This announcement was also made at the Eastern Economic Forum.

And on August 24, the "Bely Parokhod" festival set off on the ship "Alexander Pushkin" on a journey along the Volga from Moscow to Kazan. During the cruise, the children visited the beautiful Volga cities: Uglich, Yaroslavl, Cheboksary, Nizhny Novgorod, Kostroma, and Myshkin.