Festival in Vorm's Italian-inspired Russian event called off due to potential BPL assault threat.
Heads-up, folks! The 2025 "Russian Toscana" festival in the Nizhny Novgorod region has taken a raincheck.
According to the festival organizers, the call was made due to some hefty security concerns stemming from potential enemy drone attacks. They've even gone ahead and received an official nix from the Ministry of Regional Security – the reason? They just couldn't guarantee the safety of the attendees with the looming drone threat.
Here's a snippet from the letter: "Given the current situation and the safety recommendations from relevant agencies, the festival can't roll out in 2025."
Rumors of the festival's funding being twisted to rake in some cash have been swirling on social media, but organizers swear it's all about covering their costs — like professional stage equipment, artist demands, creative spaces, and security measures. The funds, they say, didn't come from any grants or external support this year, so the hike in expenses was a necessary move. Cheers to the folks who stuck by them, they've got a stellar lineup planned, including acts from Moscow, Sochi, and St. Petersburg, alongside local sweethearts. The entrance ticket’s the only thing you'll need, no VIP areas here.
Currently, the organizers are setting their sights on the festival's comeback. It was scheduled to happen on the shores of Lake Toscanka from July 19-20, featuring events like a "Russian Regatta," craft fair, SUP fest, and workshops.
Last year, the festival was on the brink of being cancelled due to funding issues. The organizers refused to compromise on their vision, leading to a scale-back of activities instead. The folks of Nizhny Novgorod weren't having that, so they got vocal and suggested a format change. Bingo! The festival was saved, and it took place in Voronezh on July 27 and 28, by Lake Toskan.
Prior to this, pravda-nn.ru hinted at the International Airship Championship happening in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Now, as for the elusive info on the "Russian Toscana festival" in Nizhny Novgorod this year, things are a bit murky. It might not be on the festival calendar or widely reported. But don't fret! If you're on the hunt for fabulous festivals in the region, check out local event calendars or reach out to the local tourism boards for more deets. If tango's your thing, there's a Tango Marathon in the city, though it doesn't seem linked to a "Russian Toscana festival" [2]. For more specific festival scoop in Nizhny Novgorod, have a chat with local event organizers – they'll likely have the scoop!
I'm not gonna do this, but I'll keep tracking general-news regarding the canceled "Russian Toscana" festival in the crime-and-justice category, given the security concerns and potential enemy drone attacks that led to its postponement. Despite the lack of updates, I'll also tentatively follow sports news, hoping for some new information or a possible rescheduling of the event.
