January 17 — Artist's Day in Russia: history, events, congratulations

In winter, a new national holiday, Artist's Day, will be celebrated in Russia for the first time. It is designed to unite and honor the masters of the stage and screen.: actors of theater and cinema, circus and variety performers, musicians, dancers — all whose work creates the cultural wealth of the country. The celebrations will take place in different cities and include an extensive program. Izvestia reports on how the new holiday will be celebrated.

When is the Artist's Day in 2026

The first Artist's Day in the history of Russia will be held on January 17, 2026. The date falls on a weekend, Saturday, which will allow many viewers to join the celebration and take part in the festive events together with representatives of the professional community.

The choice of date is deeply symbolic: Konstantin Stanislavsky, a legendary director, teacher, one of the founders of the Moscow Art Theater (Moscow Art Theater) and the first person to be awarded the title of "People's Artist of the USSR", was born on January 17, 1863.

The establishment of a holiday on his birthday is a tribute to the foundations of the Russian acting school, famous all over the world.

How the professional holiday appeared

The initiative to establish the Artist's Day belongs to the Union of Theatrical Figures of Russia and its chairman, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Vladimir Mashkov. The proposal was put forward in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the STD, which will be widely celebrated in 2026.

In October 2025, the initiative received official support at the state level. Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, noted that the new holiday would provide an opportunity to express gratitude to representatives of creative professions for their invaluable contribution to the development of Russian culture and art.

Thus, Artist's Day will become not just a corporate date, but a national holiday emphasizing the special role of artists in shaping Russia's cultural heritage and strengthening spiritual values.

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The history of the artist's profession in Russia

The profession of an artist in Russia has deep roots, dating back to the performances of buffoons at fairs and folk festivals. Later, theaters consisting of serfs appeared. However, it was thanks to the work of such giants as Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko that acting turned not just into a profession, but into a real art.

Stanislavsky created his famous system, which formed the basis of the modern acting method. His principles — "not to act, but to live on stage" — have been embodied in all theaters of the country and cinema. Since then, the Russian and Soviet acting schools have given the world a galaxy of brilliant names whose skills have become a benchmark.

During the Soviet period, the profession of an artist was surrounded by national honor. The honorary titles "Honored Artist" and "People's Artist" were established, emphasizing the high status of cultural figures in society. Today's holiday is a continuation of this glorious tradition.

How will the Artist's Day be celebrated in 2026

Artist's Day will be the central event in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatrical Figures. The main celebrations will take place in Moscow, at the Rossiya National Center, on January 17.

The program includes a presentation of the anniversary events plan for the whole of 2026, as well as an award ceremony for prominent cultural figures with the participation of Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova and Chairman of the State Duma Vladimir Mashkov.

However, the holiday will not be limited only to the capital. On behalf of the President of Russia, a large-scale all-Russian action plan has been approved. The key events of 2026 will be the Russia- Theater–Society marathon festival and the Theater Train project, in which two trains will travel across the country from Vladivostok and Sevastopol to Moscow, presenting creative programs in Russian cities.

The Golden Fund of Theatrical Productions of Russia project, aimed at digitalization and preservation of the best performances of the national theater, will also be launched. 10 theatrical forums will be held across the country to develop a Concept for the development of theatrical art until 2035.

Numerous concerts, exhibitions and educational programs will be held in theaters, philharmonic halls and concert halls of all regions. In addition, open rehearsals, creative meetings, charity performances and master classes from recognized masters of the stage are planned.

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Congratulations on the Artist's Day on January 17th

"Dear artists, happy holidays! Your talent is a fire that lights up the stage and warms the hearts of the audience. May each performance bring you the joy of creative discovery, and inspiration become your faithful companion. Thank you for your ability to speak the language of beauty and emotion, which is understandable to everyone without words!"

"Happy Artist's Day! Today we honor those who turn life into art, and every new day into a celebration of the soul. We wish that an atmosphere of trust always prevails behind the scenes, and the spotlights brightly illuminate all facets of your talents. May the recognition of the public and the respect of colleagues inspire you throughout your creative career!"

"Artists are magicians who can create character with one gesture and convey a whole story with one intonation. May the inner strength that allows you to live through many destinies never run out. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see the world through the lens of your gift. Happy holidays to you, stage masters!"

"Congratulations on the Artist's Day from the bottom of my heart! The art of an artist is the courage to be different while remaining yourself. I wish that every role, every song or dance enriches not only the audience, but also yourself. May your creative energy never run out, and the love of the audience inspire you to new roles!"

"On Artist's Day in Russia, please accept my most sincere congratulations and admiration for your ability to sparkle in the eyes of the audience. May your life behind the scenes be as intense and vibrant as your moments of triumph on stage. Create, dare and continue to surprise us with new productions, remaining true to your vocation!"

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the Day of the Russian Press, which was celebrated on January 13.