Record-breaking number of applications received for the "Pole. Golden Season" Theatrical Competition
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Get ready to find out the winners of the 10th Theatre Festival "Polar Gold's Season," an event brimming with submissions from theaters of Eastern Siberia and the Far East, especially from the powerhouse region of Krasnoyarsk. The grand prize? A trip to the June Contemporary Arts Festival "Territory. Irkutsk."
This year's competition marks the 10th run of this captivating event, starting on January 15th, allowing theater groups two months to submit their video performances. The winners will be showcased during the "Territory. Irkutsk" festival in June.
The contest has attracted a record number of applicants this year. Experts will need to scrutinize 70 plays from 63 theaters, youth groups, and amateur troupes, with the shortlist to be announced by April 24th.
Traditionally, applications came from regions under the jurisdiction of the gold-mining company "Polar Gold:" Krasnoyarsk, Habarovsk, Yakutia, Irkutsk, and Magadan.
"We provide a platform for regional theaters," said Victoria Vasilieva, the PR director for "Polar Gold." "They don't have many opportunities to receive professional evaluations or showcase their work to audiences across different regions. This festival serves as their stage."
The mix of professional and amateur theaters participating in this year's competition is nearly equal, with about 30 professional theaters and 33 amateur groups joining forces.
From Krasnoyarsk, there are 20 theaters vying for victory, with many inspired by Russian classics. One of the key themes for this year's productions is love, family, and human relationships.
Theaters from Irkutsk have put together a diverse variety of shows, ranging from ancient Ireland to modern-day settings. They've also prepared two musical performances: a musical and a rock opera. From Yakutia, 11 theaters will feature shows showcasing local culture and history. Haabarovsk is represented by eight theaters, with five focused shows exploring the world through the eyes of children. Magadan has three participating theaters.
By April 24th, the jury will have chosen the six professional theaters to join the Contemporary Arts Festival "Territory. Irkutsk." The amateur groups are not left out; a special category rewards the best amateur performances, with winning groups also allowed to attend the festival. The winners will split a grant fund of 7 million rubles.
As always, young talent in the cultural sphere of Eastern Siberia and the Far East has the chance to join the professional program "Territory. Irkutsk" through an open application process. The successful candidates will have their travel expenses covered to and from Irkutsk.
The Festival "Territory. Irkutsk" will take place in Irkutsk from June 5th to 11th, 2025, and is a joint effort by the "Territory" Foundation, the Moscow Museum of Contemporary Art, and the gold-mining company "Polar Gold."
Photo: Courtesy of the "Polar Gold" company.
The winners of the "Territory. Irkutsk" festival's special category for amateur performances will receive the opportunity to showcase their work at the June event, highlighting a blend of professional and amateur entertainment. Additionally, the healthy competition among various theaters in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, such as Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Yakutia, Habarovsk, and Magadan, promises an array of diverse news-worthy performances in the realm of theatre and entertainment.
