On 18 April, the Russian State Art Library (RSAL) was transformed for one evening into a venue for bringing together the diverse cultures of our country’s peoples—Biblio-night 2026. The theme, “The Unity of Peoples is the Strength of Russia!” was not a mere formality, but was palpable in every event, in the interactions, and in the atmosphere of genuine interest in traditions.
The day began cheerfully, as the audience gathered in the Great Hall for the performance of Two Jokes with One Intermission by the Chekhov’s Attic Theatre. Anton Chekhov’s plays The Bear and The Proposal, directed by the Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation Andrey Molotkov, evoked heartfelt smiles and applause. Director Molotkov succeeded in highlighting Chekhov’s irony while preserving the depth of the characters: human weaknesses and paradoxes were clearly visible beneath the outward comedy. The audience didn’t simply laugh—they recognised familiar traits in the characters and situations that remain relevant to this day.
At the same time, exhibitions opened throughout the evening: “Master of Details”—celebrating the 90th birthday of the Belarusian film artist Evgeny Ignatyev; “Costumes of the Peoples of Russia”; and the open book screening, Folk Crafts—the Soul of Russia. These exhibitions were an important part of the atmosphere of Biblio-night 2026 and allowed guests to delve deeper into the theme of the unity of Russia’s cultures and traditions.
In the foyer of the Small Hall, guests of the In the Moment studio learned to draw Russian ornamentation. Some masterclass participants painstakingly copied traditional patterns, while others boldly devised their own variations—although the approach differed, the results were always fascinating.
In the Konstantin Stanislavsky Hall, an old tradition was revived: visitors crafted Martinichki—Slavic dolls made from thread. The finished figurines immediately found homes—some took them as talismans, others simply as souvenirs.
As evening approached, the atmosphere grew even warmer. The lecture/tasting session, “Where There’s a Samovar, There’s Harmony,” began. The air filled with the aroma of tea and herbs. Guests sampled different varieties, shared stories of family tea parties, and learnt how traditions varied across the regions of Russia.
In the Small Hall, Leonid Chicherin immersed the audience in the exotic world of Eastern music through the prism of antique artifacts. Guests were treated to yellowed postcards and vintage records—witnesses to the musical traditions of distant lands.
In the General Reading Room, Marina Kovtunenko, Head of the Main Storage Complex at RSAL, presented an overview entitled “Treasures of the Bookshelf.” Rare editions from the library’s collections captured the attention of the guests, who curiously flipped through the pages, examined the illustrations, and asked questions about the books’ history.
The “ZIN. Constructor of Meanings” creative laboratory brought together those keen to experiment. Participants created collages, shared their discoveries, and proposed unexpected combinations of images.
The walking tour along Petrovsky Lines became a veritable journey through the ages: the figures of Anton Chekhov and Alexander Vertinsky came to life, echoes of theatre premieres and literary debates resounded, the first electric streetlights and cinema screens shone brightly. Guests attending the walking tour “How to Get to the Russian State Art Library Today” discovered that the path from the metro to the library could be full of amazing discoveries—estates, churches, and theatres revealed the secrets of their past.
A masterclass with cartoonist Angelina Dorozhinskaya in the Lending Department gave participants a sense of creative flight. In just a few hours, even those who doubted their abilities discovered their inner artist and created vivid sketches capturing their original observations. The graphic art exhibition “Faces on the Page” and a selection of books on sketching helped capture the moment and spark inspiration.
The final highlight was Alexandra Nomirovskaya’s lecture “The Graphic Novel, Manga, and Manhua: The Place of Comics in Eastern and Western Cultures.” Guests engaged in animated discussions about the differences in styles across countries, debated the boundaries of genres, and marvelled at how much commonality exists in stories born in different corners of the world.
Throughout the evening, curated tours of the exhibitions took place throughout the building. Guests were free to move between rooms, choosing that which resonated with them. The evening demonstrated that the library is more than simply a repository of books, it is a space of vibrant interaction, where tradition meets modernity, and people unite through culture.
