Manama: The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) has concluded the 2025 Russian Seasons, held at the Bahrain National Theatre and across several cultural venues in the Kingdom. The programme featured a range of artistic events, musical performances, and cultural activities that introduced audiences to Russia's artistic heritage and further strengthened cultural cooperation between Bahrain and the Russian Federation.
According to Bahrain News Agency, these events were presented within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between BACA and the Russian Ministry of Culture in May 2024, during the visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the Russian Federation. The programme coincided with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries.
On this occasion, Farah Mohamad Mattar, Director-General of Culture and Museums at BACA, affirmed the depth of the cultural and historical ties uniting the two countries, reflected this year through the Russian Seasons and their events spanning the visual and performing arts and music. She also expressed appreciation to the Russian Ministry of Culture for its support in advancing joint cultural cooperation.
Alexey Skosyrev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bahrain, expressed pride in the development of cultural relations between the two nations, underscoring a shared commitment to broaden the horizons of cultural collaboration in the period ahead.
The Bahrain National Theatre hosted a selection of Russian performances, including the Vaganova Ballet Academy presenting dances from the classics The Fairy Doll and The Nutcracker. The season also featured a concert by the Ossipov National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra of Russia, conducted by Professor Vladimir Andropov, with the Ismaeel Dawas Band adding a Bahraini flourish to the evening. The theatre further welcomed the State Academic Honoured Dance Ensemble of Dagestan, Lezginka, and in January 2025 hosted the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra under Valery Gergiev.
The Russian Seasons also encompassed year-round events, including the Russian Film Festival at Reel Cinemas Bahrain - Marassi Galleria in September 2025; the Magic of Animation in February 2025; and the fourth edition of Inspired by Literature, organised by the Art Centre in November in collaboration with We All Read, drawing inspiration from the works of Russian author Nikolai Gogol.
Building on this cultural momentum, BACA, in cooperation with the Russian Embassy, will hold a Russian language workshop from 13 to 17 December 2025 at the Qal'at al-Bahrain Site Museum, further enhancing cultural dialogue and exchange between the two countries.