Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
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Moscow's cultural centers have long gone beyond the usual cultural centers. They are becoming large-scale public spaces where new theatrical forms, educational formats, and projects for different generations are born. "Inspiration", the ZIL Cultural Center, and "Meridian" are three examples of how the city's cultural infrastructure is changing its appearance and learning to speak to residents anew, preserving the best of Soviet traditions and adopting innovative modern experience.
"Inspiration" for the area: the history and architecture of the cinema at its best
The building on Teplostanskaya Upland, where the cultural center operates "Inspiration", opened in 1984 as the Hanoi Cinema (this was the period of the surge of Soviet-Vietnamese friendship). The architect of the project, Yakov Belopolsky, one could say, is the author of the entire district. And the cinema with its advanced technology, curved screen and discotheque became the center of universal attraction.
"Hanoi" was built on the highest point of Moscow. "Belopolsky had an interesting approach: he decided not to artificially level the landscape, but to level the picture by using different-story buildings," says Tatyana Safonova, head of the concert and theater department of the Vdokhnovenie cultural center.
The architecture is a laconic rectangle with columns along the pediment, framed by open galleries. True, the romance of open passages did not last long: the first Moscow cold showed that such solutions lead to the destruction of the facade, and the galleries were glazed.
In the 1990s, the building, like the country, experienced turbulent times: there was a nightclub, a dentist's office, a furniture store. Only in 2008 did it receive the status of a cultural center, and since 2011 it has been called "Inspiration".
The Modernity of "Inspiration": Dozens of Studios and Current Premieres
"We have 69 clubs and studios for children and adults and 14 studios within the framework of "Moscow Longevity". There are studios of architectural modeling, cosplay, Korean language, two circus. There is its own theater – the modern theater of the musical "Endorphin", – lists Tatyana Safonova.
Event program carefully supervises the creative team of "Inspiration". "We decided that we would plan what to show ourselves, and not just rent out halls," notes Tatyana Safonova. "Our task is not only to be commercially successful, but also to develop the area." "Inspiration" has become the platform where you can watch premieres of young directors, performances of modern and unusual formats, for example, in the storytelling genre.
You can buy tickets and register for events using the service "Mosbilet".
One of the calling cards was the competition "School Theatre Marathon" – a unique project in which children's groups work on a professional stage with light and sound. "For us, they are the same participants in the theatrical process… I joke that this is a small "Golden Mask" for schoolchildren," says Tatyana Safonova.
The legendary recording studio also operates here. Iosif Kobzon, Alexander Gradsky, Vladimir Kuzmin, the groups "Krematoriy" and "Murakami" recorded their works there. Now the studio is equipped with the most modern equipment.
The cultural center hosts science shows, festivals (such as Mama-fest and Children-fest), and organizes summer creative residences for schoolchildren. “This is not a camp, but rather a creative club. A program is created, for example, Moscow Detective, when participants study the history of the capital and its secrets, or Ancient Egypt. Children grow microgreens, make cardboard cities, write music, and shoot films,” explains Tatyana Safonova. By the way, autumn and winter residences will be open during school holidays.
The highest point in Moscow sets a high standard, and the Vdokhnovenie cultural center maintains the bar. And the architecture of the 1980s harmonizes with the cultural life of the 21st century.
The History of Meridian: Culture and Space
Center of Culture and Art "Meridian" appeared in 1984 as a departmental Palace of Culture of the Nikolai Pilyugin Research Institute of Automation and Instrumentation. The institute was not just cutting-edge — it was here that control systems for automatic stations that studied the Moon, Mars, and Venus were developed. The Pilyugin team had hundreds of rockets to their credit, including the one that launched Yuri Gagarin into space. The architects of the Palace of Culture decided to emphasize this connection with space: at the entrance there is a bas-relief on a space theme, and in the main foyer there is an intricate panel of marble mosaic depicting an astronaut.
The total area of the building is about 13 thousand square meters. There are two halls inside: a large one with 1148 seats and a small one, which is currently under reconstruction; its capacity will be increased to 333 seats. Lots of light, marble, clear lines, typical of the architecture of the late USSR, the monumental style still gives the space a solemnity.
Modernity: Mahjong club, rock operas and tennis courts
Today, Meridian is not just a concert venue, but a real cultural hub of the southwest of Moscow. Poster is deliberately eclectic and is built in response to audience demand. If previously the emphasis was on private performances and performances by famous artists, now the strategy is shifting towards family and classical formats. "We try to support classical music and classical theatre productions. Although we also have modern ones, such as rock musicals," says Alexander Moskalov, director of the Meridian cultural center. The program includes dozens of concerts and performances – from performances by the State Academic Russian Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky and the Beryozka ensemble to original rock operas.
You can buy tickets and register for Meridian events using the service "Mosbilet".
The cultural center pays special attention to the children's program and educational projects, such as "Meridian". Books", "Meridian". Lecture Hall", "Meridian". Tourism. Here you can meet with writers, scientists, travelers and directors, watch art-house films or discuss the history of fashion.
A separate layer – clubs and studios. There are 75 of them in Meridian, where over three thousand people study, from toddlers to pensioners. Among the flagships are the Shkolnye Gody ensemble, which dates back to the 1960s, and the Iskorki studio, where children simultaneously learn music and theater. There is a circus studio, FanArt comics courses, a club for the Chinese intellectual game mahjong, which, as Alexander Moskalov notes, could become the basis for a federation of this sport in Moscow. Meridian has indoor year-round tennis courts, and plans are underway to open a floorball section — hockey on a hard surface.
The building is being prepared for a major renovation – the project is planned to be completed by 2027. The choreographic halls and the bas-relief on the facade have already been updated, and a large-scale modernization with the addition of multimedia screens, new sound equipment and even a robotic wardrobe is ahead.
"Our concept is simple," emphasizes Alexander Moskalov. "People don't have to go to the city center to see a quality performance or concert. We want to have very high-level culture within walking distance."
ZIL Cultural Center: A Perfect Example of Constructivism in Different Eras
In 1929, a decision was made to build a Palace of Culture in the Simonovskaya Sloboda area, which would unite the entire rapidly growing working-class district. Before that, there had been clubs at factories, but for the first time, there was talk of a large community center for tens of thousands of new residents.
The architectural competition was not easy: two rounds did not satisfy the customers, and in the end the work was entrusted to the Vesnin brothers, key representatives of Soviet constructivism. Construction proceeded rapidly: design work began in December 1930, and the foundation was laid in June 1931.
The Maly Theatre, which opened in 1933, became a venue for tours by leading Moscow theatres. The uniqueness of the layout is in the very steep rise, so the amphitheater is located close to the stage. It was important not only to show the performance, but also to explain to the working audience what they would see.
"Before the performance, you could talk to the lecturer in the foyer. They introduced the audience to what awaited them, educated them about theater, opera, and ballet," says Mikhail Sapunov, leading manager ZIL Cultural Center.
In 1937, the Palace of Culture was ceremoniously opened, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the USSR Constitution of 1936. Celebrations were held here, balls, carnivals and masquerades were especially popular, and educational work was carried out. An observatory was placed on the roof – part of the educational campaign.
"They explained that the thunder was not because someone was riding in a chariot, but because it was a natural phenomenon. The original dome and refractor were preserved, and the observatory was being restored," continues Mikhail Sapunov.
The building is a recognized masterpiece of late constructivism. After the war, it was reconstructed in the spirit of Stalin's Empire style: chandeliers and stucco were added. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a new reconstruction, already in the style of Soviet modernism – marble appeared on the columns and stairs. The ZIL Palace of Culture served as one of the leading venues of the Soviet Union.
"Many famous people have been here, such as Romain Rolland, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Yuri Gagarin and other cosmonauts, Angela Davis. There is a photo of Fidel in the hall," recalls Mikhail Sapunov.
And the local New Year trees were a worthy competitor to the Kremlin ones. Today, the building's facades are being restored to their original 1930s appearance.
Modernity: scale, tradition and innovation
The ZIL Cultural Center is the largest in Moscow. It is going through a difficult but interesting time. It is undergoing restoration, but the center not only does not stop working, but also continues to introduce new directions and formats.
Olga Ilyintseva, Deputy Director for Cultural and Leisure Activities, notes: “Currently, the ZIL Cultural Center operates more than 40 studios completely different directions – vocals, choreography, theater, decorative and applied arts, literary circles. We are home to the unique choreographic college Ledyakh."
The Theatre of the Simple-minded is also located here, the main cast of which consists of people with Down syndrome. Some studios have been operating for decades: the S. L. Stein Drama Theatre was founded in 1937, and the Bruno Belousov Ballroom Dancing School is about 50 years old. "There is a continuity of generations in all studios. At first, grandparents studied here, then parents, and now they bring their children to us," notes Olga Ilyintseva.
A new project is developing at the ZIL Cultural Center — the theater series “City Without a Name.” “As far as we know, theater series have never been staged before. Five “series” of performances are planned. Each is an independent dramatic work, but they are all connected by characters and the setting. You can watch one series or all five and perfectly understand the plot. Castings were held — both professional and non-professional actors participated, and even our employees,” Olga Ilyintseva shares the details.
The ZIL Cultural Center has five halls: a large hall, a small hall, a column hall, a hall-constructor and a lecture hall, as well as auditoriums. These spaces allow festivals, markets, exhibitions, concerts, lectures, performances and film screenings to be held. The cultural center has its own library.
You can buy tickets and register for events at the ZIL Cultural Center using the service "Mosbilet".
Cultural centers form an intellectual and creative environment in Moscow districts. They dispel the myth of residential suburbs, expanding the geography of the capital's cultural life and bringing to life the idea of decentralizing culture.
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