Programme announced for 2016 UK-Russia Year of Language and Literature

The official programme for the 2016 UK-Russia Year of Language and Literature was announced at a press conference yesterday in Moscow.

Highlights of the programme include live screenings of the most impressive productions performed at London’s Royal National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Barbican at cinemas in 40 Russian cities and in Ukraine and Kazakhstan during February, and joint exhibitions at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the National Portrait Gallery in London. In addition, the 17th New British Film Festival will take place in October in Moscow.

As the UK-Russia Year of Language and Literature coincides with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, there will be a special focus on the works of the playwright. A National Shakespeare Schools Olympiad will take place across Russia and the Shakespeare Lives festival will be held during the summer in Moscow, while a “Shakespeare train” will be launched on one branch of the Moscow metro.

The Year aims to build on the success of the UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014 and will be led in Russia by the British Council and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UK. Its official opening will take place in February 2016. More information can be found on the website of the British Council in Russia.