Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia Vladimir Mashkov launched the celebration of the Union's 150th anniversary. The event took place at the Rossiya National Center. The date was chosen deliberately: on this day, Russia marks the first time Russia celebrates a new professional holiday—Artist's Day, dedicated to the birthday of the great reformer of Russian theater, Konstantin Stanislavsky.
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Tatyana Golikova, and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia Vladimir Mashkov launched the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers.
January 17, 2026
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Tatyana Golikova, and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia Vladimir Mashkov launched the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers.
January 17, 2026
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First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Tatyana Golikova, and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia Vladimir Mashkov launched the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers.
Sergei Kiriyenko noted that during the special military operation, Russian artists and actors performed over 25,000 concerts and performances on the front lines and in hospitals for soldiers. He added that over 2,000 artists and cultural figures participated in these events, risking their lives. He emphasized that such activities constitute true service.
"The Union of Theatre Workers is much more than a mutual aid society for actors. It is a vital organization supporting, carefully preserving, and developing the traditions of Russian theatre and Russian culture. When I speak of Russian theatre and Russian culture, which are a vital asset to world culture, I am not speaking about nationality. The traditions of Russian theatre and Russian culture have been, are being, and are being developed by actors, directors, and cultural figures of various nationalities and faiths. Their work is a major contribution to global culture. And one of the traditions of Russian culture and Russian theatre has always been to be with its people. This was the case during the Great Patriotic War, as our President stated, and it continues today. The mission of culture is, of course, the education of the younger generation. "The Union of Theatre Workers and the Russian theatre foster a love for the native language, an understanding and respect for the classic works of Russian culture, the ability to empathize, the ability to distinguish good from evil, and nurture the soul," noted Sergei Kiriyenko.
Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated that the start of the Union of Theatre Workers' 150th anniversary celebrations is being supported by extensive federal support, including funding, infrastructure restoration, and events across the country.
"For the first time in Russian history, we are celebrating Artist's Day – we congratulate our large artistic family, represented by theater and film professionals, playwrights, musicians, variety performers, and circus artists. The list is long. But most importantly, you are doing one great thing – passing on our cultural traditions, our cultural code, from generation to generation. For this, I want to sincerely thank you and express my sincere gratitude. As of today, all regions have adopted their resolutions to support and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers. In 2026, the holiday will be celebrated from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad, from Murmansk to Sevastopol, and will encompass our entire large Russian community with cultural events, as well as our friends who enjoy visiting our country," said Tatyana Golikova.
She noted that the Government allocated approximately one billion rubles for events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers.
Actors' houses play a special role in the theatrical community. Eleven actor's houses will be restored over the next three years.
The Deputy Prime Minister also added that, as part of the federal project "Family Values and Cultural Infrastructure," 113 theaters will be modernized by 2030, and 30 theaters will receive annual financial support for the acquisition of new equipment.
Artist's Day is a new professional holiday established by the Government in 2025 at the suggestion of People's Artist of Russia and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers Vladimir Mashkov.
"We are grateful that our idea to establish this holiday—the idea of the Union of Theatre Workers—was supported by both the Presidential Administration and the Russian Government. This is a tremendous gift for us. Our outstanding writer and playwright, Denis Fonvizin, once aptly defined the difference between an actor and a performer. He said: an actor is a talented performer, while an artist is a creator, an artist, a creator. Therefore, this day unites artists of all genres: theater, film, circus, opera, ballet, variety, and visual arts—everyone who reaches out to an audience. Stanislavsky's system, his goals and objectives, have influenced all of world culture. No true artist would ignore his work, because, as I believe, he discovered the limits of success. This sincere service, absolute faith, incredible hard work—and all this for the sake of reaching out to the audience and giving them an unforgettable experience," Vladimir Mashkov emphasized.
During the event, 23 cultural figures were presented with state awards. The Order "For Merit in Culture and Art" was awarded to: Viktor Verzhbitsky, artist of the State Theater of Nations; Alexander Korshunov, chief director of the Moscow Drama Theater "Sfera"; Olga Naumenko, artist of the N.V. Gogol Moscow Drama Theater; Valery Polyansky, artistic director and principal conductor of the State Academic Symphony Capella of Russia; Boris Frumkin, artistic director of the Oleg Lundstrem State Jazz Chamber Orchestra; and Viktor Rakov, artist of the Mark Zakharov Lenkom Theater.
The medal "For Work in Culture and Art" was awarded to Ekaterina Agadzhanyan, a teacher at the F.I. Shalyapin Children's Music School; Nikolai Osminov, an artist at the Naum Orlov Chelyabinsk State Academic Drama Theater; Kirill Rybkin, deputy director of the Russian State Academic Theater; and Alexei Mazur, artist-accompanist of the flute group at the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra.
The honorary title of "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" was awarded to: Maxim Averin, actor of the Moscow State Theatre "Lenkom Mark Zakharov", Alexander Oleshko, actor of the State Academic Theatre named after Yevgeny Vakhtangov, and Anna Mikhalkova, artist and advisor to the general director for youth and cultural policy at the Russian Cultural Foundation.
The honorary title of "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" was awarded to: Artem Dyrul, artist of the State Symphony Orchestra "New Russia", Alexander Zhigalkin, managing director of the Central House of Actors named after A.A. Yablochkina, Dmitry Zenichev, artist of the Maly Theater of Russia, Anastasia Stashkevich, ballet dancer of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, and Paul Suss, artist of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia named after E.F. Svetlanov.
Professor Zoya Dzyublo of the VGIK named after S.A. Gerasimov received the honorary title of "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation".
The President of Russia expressed gratitude to Karina Andolenko, an actress at the Moscow Provincial Drama Theatre, and Lilia Smbulyan and Svetlana Fedorova, concertmasters of the Vivaldi Orchestra chamber orchestra.
On February 26, 2024, the President of Russia signed Decree No. 140 "On the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia." In 2026, the country's oldest public organization will celebrate its anniversary. At the direction of the President, the Government has approved a plan of celebratory events to be held throughout the country throughout the year. Approximately 2,000 events of various formats are planned.
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