Ukrainian theatres have expressed a desire to return to Russian performance venues, according to Russian state agency Rosconcert.
Vladimir Cherkasov, the head of the touring programs department at Rosconcert, stated during an interview with news agency TASS that several Ukrainian theatrical companies wish to resume performances on Russian stages.
Cherkasov noted that international contacts managed by Rosconcert are currently restricted to member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Ukraine was previously included in those cultural exchange itineraries before joint projects were halted.
According to Cherkasov, Ukraine does not participate in current programs due to well known reasons, but reports received by his department indicate that numerous theatrical groups remain interested in returning to Russian auditoriums.
Cultural ties and Baltic restrictions
Addressing wider international cooperation, Cherkasov also discussed the suspension of joint work with Baltic nations. He confirmed that Rosconcert does not currently plan to expand its list of partner countries.
Rosconcert is a federal state budgetary institution operating under the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The agency oversees national and international performance tours, managing cultural exchanges between Russian state institutions and foreign arts organizations. TASS is Russia's primary state-owned news agency, headquartered in Moscow.
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional association of former Soviet republics formed in 1991. The Baltic countries, comprising Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, terminated official cultural partnerships with Russian state institutions following heightened geopolitical tensions.
Vakhtangov Theatre actor joining military zone
The announcement follows statements from Ivan Zakhava, an actor at Moscow's Vakhtangov Theatre, who stated that he would travel to the special military operation zone in Ukraine. Zakhava said the decision was a personal issue that lay deep within his soul.
The Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre is one of the most prominent drama theatres in Moscow. Founded in 1921 by director Yevgeny Vakhtangov, the historic institution operates on Arbat Street in the Russian capital.
