The international “Russian Seasons” project, which launched in Thailand in early 2026, continued with two new events: a symphony concert in Bangkok and a photography exhibition entitled “Buddhism in Buryatia” in Ubon Ratchathani.
The photography exhibition was dedicated to the traditions and culture of Buddhism in Russia. It opened during the famous Candle Festival in eastern Thailand. Set up in the central square of Ubon Ratchathani, the exhibition – featuring rare archival photographs from the early 20th century and works by contemporary Buryat photographers Sergey Tarasenko and Anna Arapova – became an integral part of the event, which holds great religious significance.
The exhibition “Buddhism in Buryatia” by the National Museum of the Republic of Buryatia was presented at the festival by Tatyana Bazarova, the museum’s deputy director for research and exhibitions, and Sayana Galsanova, head of the museum’s Historical and Local History Centre. The guests of honour at the event were Evgeny Tomikhin, Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Thailand, and Narong Thepsena, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province.
The second event of the “Russian Seasons” in Thailand in July was the concert “Royal Benevolence”, dedicated to the 74th birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) of Thailand. Flautist Sofia Viland performed at the Thai Cultural Centre in Bangkok, accompanied by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Ivan Nikiforchin was at the podium.
“I am absolutely thrilled by the venue and the orchestra – by the way they respond to every change during rehearsals and throughout the concert. There is an incredible atmosphere within the ensemble. […] They really felt the music and brought their own energy to the concert – the energy of Thailand, of warmth, of summer. Ivan and I thoroughly enjoyed both the audience’s reaction and what was happening on stage,” Viland shared of her impressions.
Ivan Nikiforchin noted that the colourful, vibrant concert programme, which included works by Felix Mendelssohn and Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, was duly appreciated and well received by the Thai audience. The concert-goers gave a warm reception to the joint performance by the Russian musicians and the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
“Russian Seasons” is the flagship international project of the Russian government and the Russian Ministry of Culture. It will continue in Thailand until the end of 2026. Upcoming events will include performances by the Bolshoi Puppet Theatre from St. Petersburg, the Boris Eifman Saint Petersburg State Ballet Theatre, the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble named after Igor Moiseyev, and many other landmark events.
TV BRICS is the project’s international media partner.