Since 2023, Uzbekistan has been hosting the “Four Hearts” — a gathering of Russian drama theatres of Uzbekistan.
This international project is implemented by the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Uzbekistan with the organizational support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Within the framework of this cultural initiative, training courses, directing laboratories, and charity performances are organized for directors and managers of Russian drama theatres.
From November 2 to 8, 2025, the third edition of the international meeting “Four Hearts” is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan.
Today, the first meeting of this international project was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Tashkent.
The event was attended by the Rector of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS, Professor Grigory Zaslavsky; the Head of the Representative Office of the Rossotrudnichestvo Agency in Uzbekistan, Irina Staroselskaya; the Head of the Secretariat of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ozodjon Yuldashev; the Rector of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev; the Director of the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan and Associate Professor of the Institute, Farhod Juraev; as well as several faculty members, directors and actors of Russian theatres, and representatives of the cultural and artistic community.
During his address, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev expressed his gratitude to Grigory Zaslavsky for his visit and emphasized the growing strength of cultural and educational ties between Uzbekistan and Russia. He also discussed the importance of experience exchange and creative collaboration between faculty and students of GITIS and the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.
A highlight of the event was the ceremonial presentation of the honorary title of Professor of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture to Professor Grigory Zaslavsky, along with commemorative gifts.
This honorary title was conferred by the decision of the Academic Council of the Institute in recognition of his effective scholarly and creative work in the field of art and culture, his contribution to the development of theatre art at the international level, and his efforts to strengthen creative cooperation between the two countries.
In his response, Professor Grigory Zaslavsky expressed his sincere gratitude and noted that he views this recognition as a sign of trust and responsibility in further expanding cultural ties with Uzbekistan. He also emphasized that cooperation between the two institutions opens up new opportunities for implementing joint scientific, practical, and creative projects in the future.
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From October 6 to 11, 2025, professors of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS, including Alexander Barmak (PhD in Art Studies, Professor, Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation), Aidar Zakirov (Head of the Department of Stage Movement, Professor, Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation), Natalia Privalova (Associate Professor of Vocal Art, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation), and Tatyana Morozova (Senior Lecturer in Acting) conducted master classes at the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.
Following the workshops, participants held an open and friendly discussion about the further development of theatre art, current challenges, and ways to strengthen creative cooperation.