Bolshoi Theatre Opens First Major Exhibition in Africa in Its 250-Year History

Dragon Media News Desk

Russia’s renowned Bolshoi Theatre has opened its first major exhibition on the African continent in its 250-year history.

According to an official statement from the Bolshoi Theatre, the exhibition titled “The Bolshoi Theatre: Through Time” opened on July 28 at the National Library in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles.

The exhibition marks three important anniversaries: the 250th anniversary of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Seychelles and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Seychelles.

The exhibition introduces residents and visitors in Seychelles to the history of Russia’s premier musical theatre. The Bolshoi Theatre Museum has displayed rare stage costumes, archival photographs, lithographs, and stage and costume designs illustrating the main stages of the theatre’s development from the mid-19th century to the present day.

Among the principal attractions are costumes used in celebrated Bolshoi productions, including “The Nutcracker,” “La Bayadère,” “La Sylphide,” “A Life for the Tsar,” and “The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevroniya.”

The exhibition also features works by distinguished Russian theatre artists, including Konstantin Korovin, Ilya Glazunov and Simon Virsaladze. Their creative contributions played an important role in shaping the visual identity of Russian musical theatre, according to the Bolshoi Theatre.

A special ceremony and gala concert featuring Russian ballet artists were held at the International Conference Centre in Victoria later on the opening day.

For the first time in Seychelles, leading soloists from the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, the Dmitry Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Sevastopol State Opera and Ballet Theatre performed together on stage.

The Bolshoi Theatre expressed gratitude to the Russian Embassy in Seychelles for its comprehensive support in organising the exhibition and cultural programme. The event is being viewed as an important contribution to cultural cooperation and people-to-people relations between Russia and Seychelles.