Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Russian Seasons arrive in Korea in celebration of 30th anniversary of Russia-Korea ties
Korean Culture Minister Hwang Hee, right, holds the Russian Seasons trophy adorned with the international cultural project's symbol, the Firebird, after receiving it from Russian Deputy Culture Minister Vladimir Osintsev, center, and the Russian Seasons director Aleksey Lebedev during the opening concert of the Russian Seasons in Korea at the Seoul Arts Center, Saturday. Courtesy of Russian Seasons
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and Korea, a series of performances and exhibitions will bring the beauty and richness of Russian culture to Korea.
The Russian Seasons 2021 in Korea kicked off Saturday with a concert of the Moscow Soloists Chamber Ensemble under the direction of violist and conductor Yuri Bashmet at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul.
The Russian Seasons is a cultural festival bridging Russia and selected countries, organized by the Russian government and Ministry of Culture. It was previously offered in Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Aleksey Lebedev, director of the Russian Seasons, said they have been preparing for the program for Korea since 2019.
"We want to present the diversity of Russia's great cultural heritage, including symphony orchestra and classical and modern ballet. Due to the pandemic, we might not stage all the events we planned, but we will do our best to give a glimpse of the highlights of Russian culture," Lebedev said during a press conference ahead of the concert, Saturday.
Andrey Kulik, Russian ambassador to Korea, welcomed the Russian Seasons in Korea as part of continuing efforts between the two countries in the humanitarian field including culture, describing the Moscow Soloists Chamber Ensemble as a “diamond” of Russian music.
Russia's Deputy Minister of Culture Vladimir Osintsev expressed his gratitude to the Korean government for supporting the visit of the Russian troupes.
"We hope to showcase the charm of Russian culture in Korea," Osintsev said.
At the concert, Osintsev gifted a trophy with the Russian Seasons' symbol ― the Firebird ― to Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee. It is a tradition of the Russian Seasons to present the trophy to the host country, inspired by Russian folk tales and Stravinsky's ballet, "The Firebird."
"There have been many discussions in selecting the festival's symbol and the Firebird represents rebirth like a phoenix. We chose the Firebird as we want to revive the rich culture of Russia," Osintsev explained.
The Moscow Soloists Chamber Ensemble led by violist and conductor Yuri Bashmet, third from right, gives a bow during the opening concert of the Russian Seasons in Korea at the Seoul Arts Center, Saturday. Courtesy of Embassy of Russia in Korea
Korean pianist Cho Jae-hyuk accompanied the Moscow Soloists Chamber Ensemble at Saturday's concert.
Conductor Bashmet said he was impressed by the professionalism of Korean musicians whom he has worked with.
"I have visited Korea in the past without orchestras and always had good memories of warm welcome and talented musicians," Bashmet said.
Another highlight of the Russian Seasons in Korea would be the unveiling of iconic Russian writer Leo Tolstoy's bust at the Literature House Seoul in November.
Sculpted by Ekaterina Pilnikova, a graduate of the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, the sculpture will depict the facial contours of the great Russian writer of "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina."
Semyon Mikhailovsky, rector of the academy and art historian, said the project celebrates one of the most famous Russian authors in Korea.
"Tolstoy's works are translated into many languages and well-known in Korea so we thought he would be the right person to commemorate the cream of the crop of Russian culture brought to Korea through the Russian Seasons," Mikhailovsky said.
"We will also organize an accompanying exhibition of artworks by the students and graduates of the Academy of Arts under the theme of Russian literature."
As the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the Russian Seasons' overseas performances, the international cultural project launched two online projects, both available in Korea as well.
"Stay Home with Russian Seasons" is a cultural media library offering over 150 broadcasts of Russian performances and concerts, which garnered over 45 million views since its launch in 2020.
"Discovering Russia with Russian Seasons" is another online video project in which the Russian Seasons team visits and provides a tour of cultural institutions in Russia including theaters, museums and palaces.
"Though online performances cannot be compared to live entertainment, the online projects helped us in getting more people to enjoy Russian culture," Lebedev of the Russian Seasons said.