A new cultural genre - street
theatre arts - is set to be developed in Astana. Artists from 10 theatres,
including those from Poland, Russia, Estonia, and Almaty, have gathered in the
Kazakh capital to participate in the inaugural Theatrical Eurasia International
Festival, organized as part of this year’s Astana Day celebrations. Theatrical
troupes have prepared a series of captivating performances and events for
residents and guests of the city, featuring processions of street theater
groups, open-air performances by artists, and various interactive children’s
shows. According to foreign guests of the festival, the theatrical celebration
has left an indelible impression on everyone involved.
«In street theater, the most
important thing for us is eye contact with the audience. When you see people
looking into your eyes and their mood changes, that’s perhaps the greatest
reward for an artist. Street theater is not centered on scenery, a stage, or
special effects; rather, the artist’s mastery lies in direct interaction with
the audience. The purer the connection with the audience, the better. It's
remarkable how people in Kazakhstan have managed to preserve their inner purity,»
said Stanislav Warkki, Founder and Artistic Director of Giraffe Royal Theatre
in Estonia.
Artists and festival organizers
have shared their plans for the future. Thus, they intend to launch a theater
exchange in Astana next year. This initiative aims to discover new talents and
promote young Kazakh theatre directors to achieve international recognition.
«We would like to create a
special platform for theater and artistic directors. Our plans involve bringing
in various world-class directors, including those from France and Russia. As
the world changes, so does the stage. We would like to introduce video
projectors on stage and create new sets. This will be an annual event venue,» said
Elmira Shcherbakova, Director of Theatrical Eurasia International Festival.
