"ECHO BDF" is heading to Abkhazia: the next stop on the international route of the program is Sukhumi.

      The special program of the Big Children's Festival, led by the People's Artist of the Russian Federation Sergey Bezrukov, is once again going beyond the borders of Russia. From July 6 to 10, 2026, "ECHO BDF" will take place in the capital of the Republic of Abkhazia — the city of Sukhum.

      The international program "ECHO BDF Republic of Abkhazia" is a festival of art for children and teenagers, implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation in foreign countries with the aim of developing international cultural cooperation.

      The program is carried out with the support of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia. Organizers include the Fund for the Support and Development of Socio-Cultural Projects of Sergey Bezrukov, the Moscow Art Academic Theater named after M. Gorky, and the Moscow Governor's Theater. Co-organizers are the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Abkhazia and the State Russian Drama Theater named after F. A. Iskander.

      A rich program has been prepared for the residents and guests of Abkhazia: award-winning performances, films and animation for family viewing, meetings with contemporary authors, and master classes for children and teenagers from leading educators.

      The theater program includes 7 performances of 5 plays from Moscow, Voronezh, Nyagan, and Omsk. The program will open with the musical fairy tale "The Little Prince" by the Moscow Governor's Theater. The main role will be played by the People's Artist of the Russian Federation Sergey Bezrukov on the stage of the State Russian Drama Theater named after F.A. Iskander. Performances will take place on July 6 and 7, accompanied by the orchestra of the Moscow Governor's Theater under the direction of chief conductor Sergey Pashchenko.

      The theater program also includes performances that have become laureates of the Big Children's Festival:

      "My Grandfather Was a Cherry" — Theater Company "New Theater" (Voronezh), director Victoria Shalamova, 6+.

      Laureate in the nomination "Best Dramatic Performance (younger age category)" of the III Big Children's Festival (2020).

      "Cat's House" — Nyagan Theater for Young Spectators, director Yulia Khuchakmetova, 6+.

      Laureate in the nomination "Theater — School" of the VIII Big Children's Festival (2025).

      "Kashatanka" — Moscow Puppet Theater, director Amir Ermanov, 6+ (recommended for ages 8 and up).

      Laureate in the nomination "Best Puppet Theater Performance for Children in the Younger Age Category" of the VIII Big Children's Festival (2025).

      "Manolito Ochkarik" — Omsk Regional Theater for Young Spectators named after the 20th Anniversary of the Lenin Komsomol, director Anastasia Starceva, 12+ (recommended for ages 8 and up).

      Laureate in the nomination "Prize from the Festival Organizing Committee" of the VIII Big Children's Festival (2025).

      In the BDF Cinema and BDF Animation programs — free screenings for the whole family. Viewers can expect artistic and animated films — laureates of the Big Children's Festival. They feature deep ideas, professional execution, and inspire joint discussions. Screenings will take place at the Abkhaz State Philharmonic named after R.D. Gumba.

      In the BDF Book direction — creative meetings and literary workshops with writers Polina Shcherbak, Yulia Vesova, translator Sergey Bogdasarov, and illustrator Maria Pavlikova — authors of books that were shortlisted for the Big Children's Festival and loved by children and adults across the country. The book program will open with a discussion featuring speakers from the book program and curator of the BDF Book direction Marina Molyavina. Events will take place at the Central Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Abkhazia, as well as at the venue of the State Russian Drama Theater named after F. A. Iskander.

      Children and teenagers will participate in the BDF Workshops program — training sessions from leading educators in Russia, masters who work with both children and professional theater and film artists. The program includes master classes in stage movement, dance, and vocals, as well as classes on voice development, coordination, and the ability to work with a partner.

      About the project

      The Big Children's Festival (BDF) has been held since 2018 on the initiative of the People's Artist of the Russian Federation Sergey Bezrukov. The festival is included in the national project "Family" and is implemented within the framework of the federal party project "Culture of the Small Homeland" with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The uniqueness of the BDF lies in the fact that the shortlist is formed by experts, while the winners are chosen by an independent Children's Jury.

      The special program "ECHO BDF" has been introducing residents of Russian regions to the best productions, films, and books — laureates of the BDF over the years since 2021. In addition to screenings, the project includes educational blocks for young viewers, seminars for cultural workers, and teachers of school theaters. Over five years, the "ECHO BDF" program has taken place 21 times in 17 regions of Russia — from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, from Karelia to Dagestan, from Sevastopol to Altai, from the Far East to the Urals.

      Starting in 2026, the international direction of the project will be implemented. Outside of Russia, the "ECHO BDF" program has been held in the Svalbard archipelago (Norway). The Republic of Abkhazia has become the second point on the international festival map.