Pushkin Ball At Russian Embassy Kicks Off International Theater Festival In Washington

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st June, 2019) Hundreds of children participated in the traditional Pushkin Ball held at the Russian Embassy in Washington which kicks off the international theater festival.

The traditional ball is dedicated to the legacy of famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin and marks the official start of the 9th International Festival of Russian-Speaking Children's and Youth Theaters, as well as the Planet of Art competition.

Participants had a chance to meet with characters from Pushkin's magical tales and play a lot of games and fun competitions. The MatreshkiDC Russian folk dance group from Washington presented its Hussar Dance, the Lada folk assemble presented a program of traditional Russian songs, and the Kalinka group presented Russian folk dance.

The festival and the Planet of Art became parts of Speaking Russian week in Washington and are dedicated to the Year of Theater in Russia.

Its organizers from the American Association of Russian Language, Culture and education (AARCE) told Sputnik that both projects are orchestrated with support of the Russian Government Commission on Compatriots Living Abroad.

"Dozens of talented children across the United States and Canada are coming together to show their performances, share their experience and to make new friends," organizers said.

For the first time, the theater group from Russia will participate in the festival. The Artist Center will present its Chernobyl prayer about the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union in 1986.

About two dozen theaters are scheduled to perform at the Greenberg Theater at the American University in Washington on Saturday and Sunday.