July 07, 2022

A Failure to Perform


A Failure to Perform
No Gravity Dance Company performs air dance "Aria" at 2017 Platonov Art Festival. Platonov Arts Festival, VK.com

The annual International Platonov Arts Festival, in Voronezh, has been canceled this year in response to the country's cultural and political climate due to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Ilya Skripnikov, Acting Director of the festival, cited "current conditions" as the primary concern in his public announcement of the cancellation.

Originally, in April, the festival was just postponed, with regional officials saying it would be held in September instead of June. Now, Voronezh officials say they believe the decision to postpone the festival until 2023 will "maintain the international status, the richness of the program, and the high level of organization."

This year, Platonov's management will continue to work to find new talent and expand the cultural project. They will also "present a special event" in the fall.

Since 2011, the Platonov Festival has become one of Russia's most prominent festivals for art, theater, and music. More than half a million spectators have come from around the world to see its shows. Artists, actors, writers, and musicians from 10 cities in Russia, as well as Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Mongolia, Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and South Africa were slated to perform at the 2022 festival.

In his announcement, Skripnikov invited the Voronezh audience back for the next cultural experience: "See you at the XII International Platonov Festival in 2023."

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