Strong Turnout Marks Conclusion of Russian Theater Workshops in Cairo

The Russian Theater Workshops, held for the first time at Egypt’s Academy of Arts, concluded this week with a remarkable turnout and an atmosphere of cultural exchange and artistic innovation.

The closing ceremony featured appearances by prominent figures from Egypt and Russia, reflecting the growing cooperation between the two nations in the field of arts.

Among those present were Dr. Ghada Jabara, President of the Academy of Arts; Asya Torcheva, Cultural Counselor at the Russian Embassy in Cairo; Arseny Matyushenko, Acting Director of the Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt; Daria Drozhatchenko, Vice Dean of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow; and Sherif Gad, Secretary-General of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, along with professors from the Academy. The event was hosted by Daria Butcharova, Senior Specialist at the Russian House in Cairo.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Jabara expressed gratitude to the Federal Agency for International Cooperation, GITIS, and the Russian House for bringing the Russian Theater School project to Egypt. She emphasized the importance of exposing Egyptian students to the renowned traditions of Russian theater and voiced hope for expanded cooperation across various artistic disciplines.

Asya Torcheva conveyed greetings from Russian Ambassador Georgy Borisenko and hailed the workshops as a significant step in strengthening cultural ties between Egypt and Russia.

In turn, Arseny Matyushenko highlighted the enthusiasm of the Academy’s students, who benefited from intensive training in acting, directing, and the celebrated Stanislavski method. Students also gained hands-on experience in theatrical makeup under the guidance of GITIS experts.

Moreover, Daria Drozhatchenko delivered greetings from GITIS Dean Grigory Zaslavsky, who underlined the importance of the Russian Theater School project’s expansion into Africa, particularly Egypt, which he described as a "friendly nation" and a key partner in fostering cultural bridges.

Also, Sherif Gad praised the long-awaited initiative and called for further collaboration, especially in the fields of music and ballet. He stressed the need for increased student exchange programs between the two countries to deepen cultural ties.

During the ceremony, professors Yekaterina Petrova-Verbits, Elizaveta Shakhova, and Evgenia Malenkovskaya presented certificates of completion to the students. An emotional atmosphere prevailed, highlighting the strong bonds forged between students and instructors over four days of intensive workshops. Many students expressed their wish for the workshops to be held regularly.

Egyptian actress Reham Mohy El-Din, who participated in the workshops, shared her enthusiasm: "I was thrilled to be invited by the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association to attend the acting workshop.

The integration of Egyptian and Russian cultures was brilliant, especially given the practical and experimental nature of the sessions. It was a unique experience focused on energy, concentration, and professionalism. I hope the experience is repeated, as it greatly enriched my skills. My connection to Russian culture goes back to my childhood when I studied ballet under Russian instructors at the Academy of Arts."

The evening concluded with a musical performance by students from the Cairo Conservatory, under the supervision of Dr. Mostafa Garanah, leaving the audience with a memorable end to the cultural celebration.