Izvestia: “The top 12 cultural events of 2008 according to the Izvestia newspaper”
1. The Name of Russia, TV project.
It was not only the most intellectual talk show of the year, but also a successful, highly-rated attempt to draw the audience's attention to its own history. The Rossiya channel has proved that television can be serous, interesting and socially useful at the same time.
2. The Prime Minister heads the governmental Council on the Development of Russian Cinematography.
As many film projects were abandoned before they started because of the economy, establishing a council headed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin himself gives us hope: it may pull our cinematography out of the financial crisis, although, not out of its creative crisis.
3. Valery Gergiyev's concert in Tskhinvali.
On August 21, Valery Gergiyev and the orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre performed in Tskhinvali, the city destroyed by Georgian air strikes. Thanks to the music of Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, Mr Gergiyev managed to draw attention to the tragedy of the South Ossetian people, and made the West review its position on the conflict.
4. Alisa concert in Belgrade.
Russian rock music has its own view on Kosovo's independence. The rock group Alisa led by Konstantin Kinchev gathered his fans on Belgrade's central square under the banner "Kosovo is a Serbian Land."
5. Yury Grigorovich returned to the Bolshoi Theatre.
For over 30 years, from 1964 to 1995, people connected the words "Bolshoi Ballet" with the name and talent of Grigorovich. In March 2008, he returned to the Bolshoi Theatre at the humble post of choreographer overseeing his own ballets. With this, the theatre maintained its glory.
6. The Kremlin's Ivan the Great Bell Tower opened to the public.
After a thorough restoration, the belfry is open to the public for the first time in 90 years. The creation of Italian architect Bon Fryazin was renovated both from inside and outside, in accordance with restoration standards and without any changes. The Kremlin's History Museum was opened in the belfry.
7. "Back in Time"
Director Andrei Malyukov's film shows the lives of four young people, so-called "black diggers".. During an excavation of WWII battlefield relics, they find themselves in the year 1942 and have to survive for several days during World War II. The film maker managed to make the movie both thrilling and ideological. The boys saw first hand the price other people paid for today's stability. The young audience also learned what sacrifices were made.
8. Konstantin Khabensky in the film "Admiral"
Konstantin Khabensky as Alexander Kolchak is the most successful par of Andrei Kravchuk's film. The actor, known mostly for his roles as contemplative, faint-hearted young men, appeared as a matured man with a duty and a responsibility for his actions. The character serves his Fatherland, which is his highest duty.
9. Russian films took awards at international film festivals.
Director Sergei Dvortsevoi and his film "Tulip" won the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (the Oscar of the Asian and Pacific Ocean region) and several awards in Cannes, Tokyo, Goa, Montreal, and London; Anna Melikyan and her "Mermaid" won best director at the Sundance Independent Film Festival; Mikheil Kalatozishvili and his "Wild Field" won awards in Venice, Marrakesh, London, Estoril and Cottbus; Alexei German Jr. and his film "The Paper Soldier" won two Silver Lions in Venice; Katya Shagalova and "Once Upon a Time in Province" received the FIPRESCI award at the Moscow International Film Festival.
10. "The Humpbacked Horse" staged at the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre.
The fairytale "The Humpbacked Horse" staged by Yevgeny Pisarev is not just a success, but a real triumph. It can be compared to "The Blue Bird," which was the theatre's most known performance. The theatre has not seen such delight and admiration from an audience for a long time. Tickets to the play became a currency harder than the dollar or the euro. It is the best present for any child or adult.
11. Sergei Zhenovach's Studio of Theatre Art got a new home.
The important fact is that the studio is the first theatre building built in modern Moscow by philanthropists. Alexander Borovsky, architect and Mr Zhenovach's constant scene designer, built a theatre at the abandoned industrial site, where Stanislavksy's goldthread factory stood.
12. Anna Netrebko gave birth to a baby boy.
Anna Netrebko, a diva and beautiful woman, managed to turn her pregnancy into a sensation that was discussed all around the world. On September 5, she gave birth to a baby boy, named Tiago Aura. She is expected to return to the stage on January 14. Her first performance will be at Mariinsky Theatre. She will perform in Gaetano Donizetti's opera "Lucia di Lammermoor."
