Participants at BRICS+ Media Centre in Moscow discuss development of theatrical art in Russia and abroad

A creative meeting of young actors from the BRICS+ countries with People’s Artist of Russia Anna Ardova took place at the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre in Moscow.

She shared with colleagues from Argentina, Brazil, India, China, Cuba, Mauritania, Tunisia, South Africa, and other states her professional experience – from studying at GITIS to her work as artistic director of one of its workshops and as an actress of the Vladimir Mayakovsky Moscow Academic Theatre. She also acquainted the guests with the latest trends and practices of the Russian theatrical school.

“We are special people, just like artists and mathematicians. Everyone has their own individual direction. [...] It is important for young people to hear this, that there are doubts and difficulties, but you overcome them. And how do you do it? With humour, work, effort, and perseverance,” the actress noted.

The fellowship participants shared their impressions with TV BRICS in exclusive comments.

For many interns, this dialogue became a valuable experience of intercultural professional exchange, for example, for theatre actor from India Abhinav Banerjee.

“When we come and interact with people [...] from Russia, where actors really put their heart and soul into their performances, it really helps to get a sense of the best practices. [...] It's very enriching for all of us actors to come and hopefully take some of it back,” he added.

Actor from Brazil Felipe Rodrigues Carvalho also emphasised the universality of the acting profession, which erases cultural boundaries.

“We are all human beings. Each of us is familiar with both suffering and happiness. [...] For me, it is priceless to learn from representatives of another culture. [...] To me it's completely powerful to have this meeting, no matter how different the culture is,” he shared.

The event was held as part of the InteRussia Fellowship Programme in the field of theatrical art. The project is implemented at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS in cooperation with the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, the TV BRICS International Media Network, Rossotrudnichestvo, and the Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation "Mezhdunarodniki", with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation under the “New Generation” programme.

The BRICS+ Media Centre was established in October 2024 on the eve of the 16th BRICS Summit by the Library for Foreign Literature and the TV BRICS International Media Network. It is a platform for shaping and advancing the international humanitarian agenda and for bringing together expert communities of the BRICS+ countries in the fields of culture, art, science, education, youth policy, and sport.

The key events initiated by the media centre receive information support in the mass media of different countries through TV BRICS.

The media centre regularly organises presentations of contemporary literature from BRICS+ countries and original translations of Russian classics into foreign languages, expert sessions and discussions with the participation of cultural researchers from the member states and partner countries of the group, creative meetings with writers and literary translators, and film screenings of works by BRICS+ directors.

For example, earlier events at the venue included a presentation of a Chinese exhibition from the Moscow Kremlin Museums, a discussion of a novel by Brazilian writer Maria Valeria Rezende, a creative evening with composers Zuo Zhenguan and Simon Glikman, poetry readings and a performance by Turkish flautist Sefika Kutluer.

Photo: TV BRICS