A theatrical performance based on Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky’s play “Profitable Place” was successfully held in Bratislava.
By: Natalya Chumak
Photo: Natalia Starikova
In recent days, regular meetings of lovers of Russian literature have been held at the European Foundation of Slavic Literature and Culture as part of the project “The Golden Age of Russian Culture”.
The dating season began in December 2023 with an event titled “ A.N. Ostrovsky. “Profitable Place”, dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great playwright.
The event was organized by the Slovak public organization “Ruslana” together with the European Foundation for Slavic Literature and Culture and amateur theater.
The organizers of the event aim to popularize the legacy of writers of the golden age of Russian literature.
This poetic expression, “Golden Age”, refers to the period of the first third of the 19th century, when unsurpassed geniuses created true masterpieces in literature, music and painting. Their legacy has become part of world culture.
In the field of literature the best-known authors are: Alexander Ostrovsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Ivan Turgenev, Nikolai Gogol, Anton Chekhov and others.
The event
More than 300 people attended in person the unique event.
In addition to the large Slovak public, teachers and students of Slovak educational institutions, students of language courses and Russian compatriots residing there, representatives of the media and the Russian diplomatic mission were also present among them.
An exhibition of books of classics of Russian literature of the 19th century was also organized, and a multimedia presentation with an excursion to the museum-reserve A.N. Ostrovsky “Schelykovo” was screened.
This museum is located in the Kostroma region.
Here the playwright lived and worked on his plays, and here he died in his office.
The educational and very interesting presentation was prepared and presented personally by the Scientific Secretary of the Shchelykovo Museum-Reserve, Dr Nina Semyonovna Tugarina, and the head of the department of the House of A.N. Ostrovsky, Dr. Lyubov Aleksandrovna Chernova.
The main event of the event was the theatrical performance “Profitable Place” by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky.
The performance of the young actors of the “Break” theater and the masterful production of the director Michal Tomasi created a unique atmosphere in the hall.
An invitation to reflect
The performance aroused many emotions in the audience, inviting them to think about what is more important: living honestly or “how people live”.
We made a choice in favor of love.
Many had the opportunity to attend the event in person, but many others were able to do so remotely.
Text by: Natalya Chumak
European Foundation for Slavic Literature and Culture
Photo: Natalia Starikova