Chekhov Festival to Gather Theater Lovers Once Again

This year, the Chekhov Theater Festival, rightfully counted among the most significant events in Russian culture, will showcase entirely new, exclusive performances created using unique techniques. Audiences will be treated to productions from 12 countries, some of which have never before visited Russia.

The festival's greatest strength lies in its unique theater troupes and unparalleled program, which includes a new direction in stage art, world premieres, and modern interpretations of classics. All performances share one goal: to reveal new facets of theater that few have yet experienced.

The festival will open on May 23 and 24 at the State Kremlin Palace with the Chinese production "Poetic Dance: Journey of a Legendary Landscape."

As part of the Chekhov Festival, guests will have the opportunity to see the following performances:

• "Poetic Dance" (China) — The crown jewel of the 2025 program. A visual masterpiece where ancient Chinese painting comes to life through dance on stage. The performance explores the connection between generations, traditions, and the quest for inspiration from a great artist.
• "One Thousand and One Nights" — A fairy-tale trilogy based on Arabian tales will be presented by the Caracalla Dance Theatre from Lebanon, one of the leading and most renowned troupes in the Middle East. Founded in 1968, Caracalla has earned international acclaim for its unique dance style, blending Martha Graham's technique with Eastern traditions.
• "The Foundation" (Bahrain) — This production delicately yet incisively tackles the theme of human struggle and how external influences can break the mind and soul. The actors work under a unique system of masterclasses from global theater leaders, creating a special environment for the performance. This marks the first time a production from Bahrain will be staged in Russia.
• "A Middle-Class Dream of a Summer Night" (India) — A Shakespearean story infused with distinctive Indian traditions.
• "No One Writes to the Colonel" (Colombia) — Directed by a close friend of Gabriel García Márquez, the author of the original work. A rare chance to delve into the author's vision. One of the central characters in the play will be a live rooster, symbolizing hope for the protagonist.
• "Penelope." World premiere. A collaborative production by the State Theater "Amazgain" named after S. Sarkisyan (Armenia) and the International A.P. Chekhov Theater Festival. A fresh, unconventional take on the story of Odysseus's wife and Telemachus's mother, one of the central figures in Homer's "Odyssey." The heroine of the play, Dinah, embodies unwavering loyalty to moral values—family, roots, and the right to remain true to oneself—a message of profound relevance today.
• "Rumi" (Iran) — A magical puppet-opera about the fate and spiritual quest of the great mystic poet, immersing audiences in Eastern wisdom. The nearly life-sized marionettes are operated simultaneously by multiple puppeteers—a rare opportunity to witness ancient Iranian artistry.

And that's not all! Guests can look forward to premieres from Armenia and Brazil, vibrant contemporary productions from Kazakhstan, and much more. Once again, the festival will offer audiences a unique chance to experience theater from diverse cultures—directly and without intermediaries.

The 2025 Chekhov Festival is a global marathon of art not to be missed. It demonstrates that theater is an integral part of national identity, and opening it to Russia means becoming part of the world's cultural residency. Tickets are already available on the festival's official website.