On 15 April 2024 ticket sales opened for the programme of the Third International Pacific Theatre Festival, which will take place from 20 September to 6 October 2024. The programme features 11 performances of various genres, created by theatre practitioners from Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan and Russia.
Uncharted facets of world theatre await: a visual dance interpretation of a thousand‑year‑old landscape painting masterpiece; a Chinese perspective on French classics; a bold reimagining of Cervantes' "Don Quixote" from Italian street theatre masters; Argentine tango in the air; Indian stand‑up comedy; the Russian‑Canadian‑German genre‑bending experiment "Reverse" ; Brazilian drama; a contemporary take on the medieval legend of extracting the "stone of folly" in a joint Belarusian‑Russian project; the highly anticipated 2024 premiere of the Theatre of Nations – "Friends" , directed by a Japanese director; a puppet theatre production voiced by a stellar cast; and a concert‑performance featuring Evgeny Mironov and Marina Alexandrova – all this and more awaits audiences in Vladivostok.
The venues will include the Primorye Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre (Grand Hall and Small Hall), the M. Gorky Primorye Academic Regional Drama Theatre and the Primorye Regional Youth Theatre. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit the official website: www.pacificfest.ru.
Evgeny Mironov, Head of the Programme for the Development of Theatre Arts in the Far East, Artistic Director of the State Theatre of Nations, People's Artist of Russia:
"The International Pacific Theatre Festival is taking place in Vladivostok for the third time. Over these years, the city has embraced the Festival. This is very important, because nothing can be imposed artificially. Festival audiences follow with keen interest the development of theatre art, the finest examples of which we bring from around the world. This is a highly prestigious project for Vladivostok: it is here, at the eastern border of our country, that an international theatre forum of this level takes place. In addition to the performances, there is an educational programme that gives both audiences and professionals the opportunity to attend masterclasses, meet with foreign colleagues and create new work, including for future festivals. The Festival is also important in terms of developing Russia's relations with the international theatre community. The situation is complex, yet the Festival's geography is expanding. This means that culture knows no borders, and there are extensive plans for the future. We invite our colleagues to the Festival as guests, and the following year they return as participants with their own productions. At the same time, we – at the Theatre of Nations in particular – are conducting negotiations on the creation of new productions that will enter the Festival programme. This is long‑term cooperation. I believe that the International Pacific Theatre Festival has already carved out a niche that no one else had occupied before. We will continue to develop it further."
Karina Tsaturova, General Director of the Chekhov International Theatre Festival
"The appeal of the International Pacific Theatre Festival is largely defined by its core mission: to introduce Far Eastern audiences more closely to the finest productions from the Pacific region and other countries around the world. The programme reflects the diversity of theatrical traditions and is aimed at strengthening international cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The Pacific Festival is a testament to the open nature of Russian culture, the strength of its classical traditions and its receptiveness to new creative exploration. The Festival is young, but has already built its own audience and become a much‑anticipated event in the region. I am confident that the Third International Pacific Theatre Festival will be a success and will be remembered by audiences and participants alike as a true celebration of art, full of vivid impressions. We are grateful to the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of Primorsky Krai for understanding the importance of the Festival and for providing it with the necessary support. Our special thanks go to our partners, sponsors and friends – especially to our steadfast General Partner, Channel One, and to our sponsor, VTB Bank."
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The International Pacific Theatre Festival takes place in a unique location where Western culture "meets" the East. Among its key objectives is to help establish Vladivostok as one of the cultural capitals of the region and of Russia.
The Pacific Festival is a significant, large‑scale event within the state Programme for the Development of Theatre Arts in the Far East, launched in 2019. The initiative came from the State Theatre of Nations and its Artistic Director, Evgeny Mironov. The project was supported by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The creative concept was developed by Valery Ivanovich Shadrin, who for thirty years headed the International Chekhov Theatre Festival. Its core mission is educational – enabling audiences, without leaving Primorye, to engage with the diverse cultural palette of the Pacific region and to encounter distinctive theatre practitioners from around the world.
The first Festival was organised and held under the difficult conditions of the pandemic. Despite this, participants from Argentina, Armenia, Georgia, Spain, Switzerland, South Korea and Japan came to the capital of Primorye. The results showed incredible success – tickets sold out within days, and Festival events were attended by over 12,000 spectators.
The second Pacific Festival was dedicated to the memory of V.I. Shadrin, who passed away in December 2022. The programme he had prepared was successfully realised by the organisers. Despite new challenges, a rich and engaging programme was assembled, featuring companies from Brazil, Vietnam, China, Cuba, South Africa and other countries. Audience numbers exceeded 18,000.
In autumn 2024, Vladivostok will once again become a centre of international cultural attraction. The programme of the Third Pacific Festival has been developed by the International Chekhov Theatre Festival with the direct participation of the State Theatre of Nations. It includes performances of various genres, created by theatre practitioners from Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan and Russia. Chinese companies occupy a special place in the programme, as 2024–2025 have been declared cross‑years of Russian and Chinese culture. Particular attention will be paid to Vladivostok's status as the "Youth Capital of Russia". The programme includes several productions aimed primarily at younger audiences. As tradition dictates, the Festival will also feature masterclasses by Russian and international directors, actors and choreographers, as well as lectures and training sessions led by leading experts in contemporary theatre.
The International Pacific Theatre Festival is young but has already built its own audience and become a much‑anticipated event in the region. Its mission remains to continue introducing audiences to the diversity of contemporary theatre art, while helping to strengthen Russia's image as a country open to the further development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The Pacific Festival in Vladivostok sees this as its purpose.
The Festival is held in Vladivostok with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of Primorsky Krai.
Organisers: International Chekhov Theatre Festival, with the participation of the State Theatre of Nations.
General Partner: Channel One.
Sponsor: VTB Bank.
Regional Information Partner: OTV-Prim TV Channel.
Information Support: the portals "Kultura.RF" and "Kulturnoye Primorye".