Russian Wave@Riverside Studios

Breaking on the banks of the Thames for one day only, Russian Wave is a celebration of contemporary Russian culture. This 12-hour programme will immerse you in the turbulent world of contemporary Russian culture, revealing how a nation renowned for its heritage can still rock the boat with revolutionary innovation. Russian Wave will be awash with cinema, literature, art, music and animation, and will be giving you a chance to try the finest Russian cuisine. Come and meet people on the same wavelength in a vibrant atmosphere, and explore the depths of Russian culture now. Get caught up in the current!

Russian Wave will be showcasing new Russian cinema with four films, all prize-winners at Russian and international festivals:

The best in contemporary animation – sure to delight adults and kids alike. Free entry! (12:00-13:00)

Patria o Muerte (2011) – a documentary from renowned director Vitaly Mansky, is a heartfelt examination of present-day Cuba. (14:00-15.30)

Gromozeka (2010) – a touching, tragicomic story of three middle-aged schoolmates searching for answers to the eternal questions of love, death and fatherhood. (16:00- 17:35)

Tsar (2009) – a historical drama that raises very contemporary questions about the relationship between the church, the state and the people through the compelling story of Ivan the Terrible and his spiritual mentor, Metropolitan Philip II. (18:00-20:00)

Indifference (2010) – winner of the Grand Prix at the Kinotavr Film Festival, makes the elegant Moscow of the 1960s the black-and-white backdrop to a story of love and danger, starring Fedor Bondarchuk. (20:30-22:00)

Russian Poetry Wave will transform Riverside Studios with live performances of English and Russian poems throughout the day. As part of an open culture project in London, a series of discussions on contemporary literature will be held, featuring specialists on English and Russian literature.

Russian Book Bar – choose the perfect book for you whether it’s on Russia, from Russia or in Russian. All the books can be borrowed, bought or won in a special raffle.

Get a taste of Russia! Pirogi, pelmeni, medoviki, smetanniki and more! Come and join this celebration of Russian cuisine and dig in to Russian delicacies, freshly prepared by a team of chefs, in the Riverside Café and on the terrace.

All this, plus award-winning contemporary art, live DJ’s and lots of other Russian zabavas (fun and games) for all the family.

Let’s get together and make some waves!

Academia Rossica is a London-based charity involved in bringing contemporary Russian culture to an English-speaking audience. It is the organizer of the Russian Film Festival in London, now approaching RFF6. Our main aim with the programme is to introduce a new viewer to Russian cinema, whilst providing a free opportunity to enjoy other aspects of Russian culture rarely available at other Russian events across the capital.