Mariinsky Theatre and TV BRICS to promote classical theatre arts across BRICS countries

The TV BRICS International Media Network, as the international media partner, will present the contemporary achievements and creative projects of the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre to a global audience. The cooperation is aimed at strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties among the BRICS countries, promoting Russian musical art and the national school of performance. In the BRICSterview programme on TV BRICS, Valery Gergiev, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and Artistic and General Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, spoke about Russia's intention to strengthen creative ties and expand cultural exchanges with the BRICS countries, with a particular focus on supporting young talent.

"Our contacts with the BRICS countries have never ceased. We are significantly expanding our cultural ties with our colleagues from the People's Republic of China. This is the most dynamic growth currently taking place in the world of opera and ballet. […] In the near future, we will find opportunities to further strengthen creative ties and cultural exchanges with the BRICS countries. I say this in an entirely official capacity. I fully understand that this cannot be achieved overnight, but many young people and established artists will have wonderful opportunities to appear on the stages of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, perform at the Grand Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, at the Conservatory, and at the magnificent new Zaryadye Concert Hall in Moscow," said Valery Gergiev.

In his exclusive interview with TV BRICS, Valery Gergiev also spoke about the objectives of the Mariinsky Theatre's Academy of Young Opera Singers and the International Tchaikovsky Competition, both of which are dedicated to supporting talented young people from around the world.

"For more than 25 years, the Mariinsky Theatre's Academy of Young Opera Singers has been discovering outstanding young performers and remarkable voices, many of whom have gone on to achieve international acclaim. Over the past two and a half years, I have personally placed particular emphasis on promoting young singers. Like flashes of sunlight, they have illuminated dozens of productions and infused them with fresh energy. We provide them with these opportunities and will continue to do so. […] I have been responsible for the Tchaikovsky Competition for the past 17 years. We have expanded both the programme and the scope of the competition. This is a significant step that embraces young people across the world," Valery Gergiev noted.

Photo: The press service of the Mariinsky Theatre

The State Academic Mariinsky Theatre was founded in 1783. Today, it is one of the largest theatre complexes in Russia and the world. Over more than two centuries of its history, the theatre has introduced many outstanding artists to the world. It was home to the distinguished bass and founder of the Russian operatic performance school, Osip Petrov. Great singers including Fyodor Chaliapin, Ivan Ershov, Medea Figner, Nikolay Figner and Sofia Preobrazhenskaya developed their artistry and achieved international fame there. The theatre's stage was also graced by legendary ballet dancers such as Mathilde Kschessinska, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Galina Ulanova, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. George Balanchine began his artistic career at the theatre. The Mariinsky also witnessed the flourishing of renowned stage designers, including Konstantin Korovin, Aleksander Golovin, Alexandre Benois, Simon Virsaladze and Fyodor Fyodorovsky.

Janna Tolstikova, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of TV BRICS, emphasised that promoting the national cultures of the BRICS countries is one of the key priorities of the media network's editorial policy and humanitarian activities. Today, together with its media partners in countries around the world, TV BRICS is building a common information space through media diplomacy, where cultures can engage in open dialogue, national identities can be presented, state interests can be represented, and comprehensive international cooperation can be fostered. She also noted that, within the humanitarian agenda, the media network implements a number of its own initiatives, including the TV BRICS International Symphony Orchestra, the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre, and the international educational and outreach project "Modern Russian".

As part of its efforts to promote Russian culture, TV BRICS cooperates with the Bolshoi Theatre, the Moscow Kremlin Museums, the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and the Russkiy Mir Foundation. In 2026, with the support of the media network, Moscow hosted the “Olympic Games of Ballet” – the XV International Ballet Competition dedicated to People's Artist of the USSR Yuri Grigorovich. TV BRICS also serves as the international media partner of the IV All-Russian Competition of Young Composers "Partitura".