Russia Week at CIS: from Maslenitsa - traditional Russian folk festival to bold reinterpretations of Russian traditions and pop culture, our students didn’t just explore culture: they recreated it in their own voice.
The programme started with vibrant Maslenitsa celebrations, immersing everyone in the atmosphere of an ancient Russianthe holiday. With great enthusiasm, students took part in traditional pastimes: they danced competed in folk games testing agility and wit, and happily dressed up in colourful Russian folk costumes - sarafans, kosovorotkas, kokoshniks, and caps.
An important part of the week was a series of talks by invited historians and folklorists. They gave fascinating insights into the deeper meaning of Russian traditions, the history of folk holidays, the symbolism of ornaments, and the role of art in the lives of our ancestors. These meetings helped students gain a better understanding of the cultural heritage and inspired them to embark on their own creative explorations.
Inspired by what they had heard and experienced, the students got to work creating works of art in which they reinterpreted traditional images through a modern lens.
Russia Week concluded with an exhibition‑performance showcasing all the creative works. The students not only displayed their pieces but also explained exactly how they had reinterpreted the traditions, what they had taken asa starting point, and what contemporary ideas they had incorporated into their projects. It became a true celebration of creativity, uniting the past and present of Russian culture.
