The Sochi Winter International Arts Festival was created and first held by Yuri Bashmet in 2008.
Today, just 13 years after its creation, the Sochi festival has become the largest winter academic arts event not only in Russia, but in Europe.
Created 13 years ago, over the years the Sochi Forum has become a powerful cultural institution, in which concert, theatrical and educational programs harmoniously coexist, ample opportunities are provided for the development and self-expression of young musicians, young talents are supported and experiments in forms, styles and genres are encouraged.
Multi-genre is the supporting conceptual pillar on which the powerful festival structure rests. Expansion of genre boundaries allows to involve drama theater and ballet, ethnomusic and jazz, video art and other forms and types of art into the orbit of the festival.
To compare, in 2008 during the first festival only 4 concerts took place which the guests and participants could see on the stage of Sochi Winter Theatre and in the Chamber and Organ Music Hall.
As part of the 13th Festival in 2020 more than 170 events took place, including: classical, jazz and ethnic music concerts; theater and ballet performances; educational projects; international competitions; children's projects, etc.
In 2008 about 150 participants took part in the Festival. To date, given the comprehensive development of the Festival over 13 years, more than 2,500 participants have taken part in the Sochi Festival in 2020 alone. It's not about the public, but the professional participants of the festival.
Over the 13 years, more than 500 events have been held as part of the Sochi festival.
The city of Sochi wins the competition for the right to host the Winter Olympic Games
The first Yuri Bashmet Festival is held in Sochi.
Ceremony of handing over the Olympic flag from Vancouver to Sochi
For the first time the festival concert not only in Central Sochi, but also in Krasnaya Polyana.
The beginning of the Cultural Olympics in Sochi
The Winter Festival is no longer a music festival, but an arts festival Sochi Winter International Art Festival becomes a member of European Festivals Association (EFA).
For the first time the Cultural Olympiad includes the National Selection and premiere concerts of the All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra
The orchestra's concerts are held in Sochi.
Olympic Games in Sochi
The Winter International Arts Festival becomes the main venue of the Cultural Olympics Finals.
The All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra and Yuri Bashmet perform at the Olympics' closing ceremony in Sochi.
The New Russia State Symphony Orchestra and Yuri Bashmet perform at the IOC Opening Ceremony in Sochi, recording all the musical backdrops for the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Olympics.
Festival Anniversary
President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin attends the opening of the Jubilee X Winter International Arts Festival in Sochi.
Holding the 13th Winter International Arts Festival in Sochi
Today, the Sochi Winter International Arts Festival is one of the top 20 festivals in Europe. It is one of the main cultural events of the winter in the world. A shining example of how in just 10 years you can create a unique large-scale cultural project and gain recognition in the international cultural community.
The festival, along with the All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra, is the main cultural legacy of the Sochi Olympics.
The Sochi Winter International Arts Festival is one of the most notable cultural events in Europe in terms of coverage in the Russian and foreign media.
