The project was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and produced by the Russian State Art Library (RSAL) and the Russian State Library for the Blind, with the participation of the Moscow Art Theatre Museum.
The event attracted a wide readership, members of the All-Russian Society of the Blind, representatives of public organisations, and heads and leading specialists from federal and city libraries, higher education institutions, museums, and archives.
This multi-format illustrated book will make accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences one of the masterpieces of Russian theatre art—the production of Anton Chekhov’s play, The Seagull (directed by Oleg Efremov, Moscow Art Theatre, 1980). The publication includes a video recording of the production with audio descriptions, articles on the history of the play, the performance, and six directorial interpretations, as well as sections on the Moscow Art Theatre, its building, auditorium, and the famous curtain featuring a seagull. The materials are available both in print and braille, with tactile illustrations providing insight into the characters, costumes, sets, and props.
Elena Zakharova, Director of the Russian State Library for the Performing Arts (RSLB), spoke in detail about the creation of this multi-format illustrated book. The authors and compilers presented the unique materials upon which the edition was based. Pavel Vashchilin, Director of the Moscow Art Theatre Museum and Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, spoke about the journey of Anton Chekhov’s play to the Moscow Art Theatre stage. A key scene in the play—Nina Zarechnaya’s monologue—was performed by theatre and film actor Anastasia Skorik, who previously played that role in Oleg Efremov’s production (2002).
“There are few theatres in Russia where this play has not been staged. Surprisingly, despite tens of thousands of interpretations, every director finds new meanings in it,” writes Konstantin Khabensky, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation and Artistic Director of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre, about The Seagull in the book’s foreword.
As Zhanna Alekseyeva, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, noted in her welcoming remarks, the creation of the multi-format book is a tangible step toward ensuring equal access to cultural services: “The Seagull book will provide an opportunity not just to become acquainted with the plot, but also to gain an experience as close as possible to attending a performance. Such projects are of great importance for socio-cultural integration. They foster new approaches to popularising cultural heritage that take into account different modes of perception, and create special tools for working with various groups of people for whom access to art requires special solutions and a professional approach to adaptation.”
Zhanna Alekseeva expressed confidence that such practices will help overcome any barriers, transforming modern cultural institutions into vital points of support for people with disabilities to find their place in society and feel connected to great art.
“The idea came to our library over ten years ago, when we envisioned creating a unique anthology of the best works of Russian performing arts for the visually impaired. We envision this as a long-term programme that will allow people with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments, to become participants in the cultural and theatrical process, as unique spectators,” emphasised RSAL Director Ada Kolganova.
The project aligns with the principles of inclusive culture and aims to create equal opportunities for all people, regardless of their physical disabilities.
The Russian State Art Library (RSAL), together with the Russian State Library for the Blind (RSLB), have long accumulated unique experience in presenting masterpieces of theatrical art to blind and partially sighted audiences. This collaboration resulted in a multi-format publication of Alexander Griboyedov’s Woe from Wit (2020), produced by the Maly Theatre.
The multi-format edition of The Seagull continues this important endeavor. This publication not only introduces the audience to the Moscow Art Theatre production, but also ensures that every viewer, regardless of visual impairment, can experience its atmosphere, visualise images of the stage, and grasp the nuances of the director’s vision.
