Russian Theatre Union to Present its International and Professional Theatre Agenda at United Cultures Forum

The Russian Theatre Union (RTU) will present a large-scale programme at the 12th St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum that will focus on the development of international theatre cooperation, the future of theatre in Russia, support for Russian theatre abroad, professional education, the preservation of cultural identity, and the development of school theatres. This year’s United Cultures Forum will be organized by the Roscongress Foundation, with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and the Administration of St. Petersburg. One of the key events of the RTU’s programme is the international strategic session ‘International Theatre Cooperation as a Tool for Humanitarian Interaction: The Role of Theatre Associations in Developing Professional Ties between Countries’. The session will be attended by leaders of Russian and international theatre organizations, government representatives, and members of the professional community to discuss mechanisms for establishing sustainable ties between theatre organizations in different countries, implementing joint projects and educational initiatives, and the prospects for creating a full-fledged international theatre organization. “The theatre speaks to people in a language they understand while at the same time preserving national culture, language, traditions, and history. Today, it is especially important to strengthen professional ties between the theatrical communities of different countries, create joint projects, exchange experiences, and create a space for ongoing creative dialogue. I am sure that the United Cultures Forum will help identify specific areas for this work and inspire new international initiatives,” said Russian Theatre Union Chairman Vladimir Mashkov. Particular attention will be given to the strategic development of Russian theatre. At the plenary session ‘The Future of Russian Theatre: A Development Concept to 2035’, the Russian Theatre Union will present the results of its all-Russian theatre forums, as well as a draft Concept for the Development of Russian Theatre to 2035. Participants in the session will discuss key areas of industry development, mechanisms for implementing strategic objectives, and the further development of the roadmap. The international portion of the programme will continue with a roundtable discussion entitled ‘The Tasks and Plans of the Russian Theatre Union for the Development of Russian Theatre Abroad’, where directors of Russian and Russian-language theatres from the CIS and other countries will discuss the current needs of companies operating outside of Russia, as well as opportunities for educational programmes, directing workshops, master classes, and creative exchanges. Another area for discussion is the development of international theatre education. Representatives of theatre schools in Russia and abroad will discuss student, teacher, and professional actor exchanges, and the creation of joint educational programmes, laboratories, and master classes. The RTU programme will also include discussions on the preservation of cultural identity and the development of national theatres at which experts will examine the role of theatre in preserving language, traditions, and cultural memory, as well as international experience in supporting national theatres and the theatres of small-numbered peoples. A separate discussion will be devoted to the school theatre movement. Representatives from the cultural and educational sectors, professional theatres, and theatre pedagogy will discuss staff training, the development of mentoring systems, and the potential of theatre as a tool for education, communication, and the development of the creative potential of children. The 12th St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum will take place on 24–26 September 2026. The theme for the 2026 Forum is ‘United Cultures, Common Values’.

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