From February 18 to March 1, 2026, the XIX Winter International Art Festival will be held in Sochi under the artistic direction of Yuri Bashmet. The XI International Music Academy will be held as part of the festival, as well as a number of Creative Schools.

Registration is already open:

February 19-21 , 2026

School for young journalists covering cultural events –

This is a three-day intensive course of theoretical and practical exercises. Traditionally, classes are held in several areas at once: news journalism, television and radio journalism, journalism in glossy publications and tabloids.

February 20-23 , 2026

Winter School of Poets –

This is a three-day course of intensive classes, lectures and master classes led by contemporary poets (masters), organized jointly at the V. I. Dahl State Museum of the History of Russian Literature.

February 24-26 , 2026

Photography school —

This is a three-day intensive course of theoretical and practical training for young photographers covering events and events in the field of culture and art. In 2026, the Photo School of the festival will be conducted by photographer, teacher, curator Svetlana Noskova (Tarasova).

February 17-28 , 2026

Instrumental Department of the XI International Music Academy.

The work of the “Instrumental Department” is traditionally distinguished by its greater scope and intensity. The name of maestro Yuri Bashmet attracts to Sochi the greatest musicians of our time – virtuosos, soloists, teachers, professors of prestigious educational institutions in Europe, Asia and America, who are ready to share their experience and lessons of mastery with young musicians.

February 18-24 , 2026

Department of Composition of the XI International Music Academy –

It is a complex of educational events for gifted young composers from around the world, consisting of master classes, lessons and lectures from leading Russian and foreign composers. In 2026, the teachers of the academy will be: Alexander Tchaikovsky, Patrick de Klerk, Kuzma Bodrov, Valery Voronov, Alexey Siumak, Mikhail Kokzhaev, Anton Tanonov and Gopin Jia.

February 21-25 , 2026

Department of Choral Conducting of the XI International Music Academy —

It is a complex of educational events for gifted young choirmasters from around the world, consisting of master classes, lessons and lectures. It is conducted in order to identify and support creatively promising youth, it is an effective form of search and development of young musicians.

February 21-26 , 2026

Vocal Department –

This is a complex of educational events for gifted young vocalists, consisting of master classes, lessons, lectures by prominent figures in the field of musical art, and concert performances.

All classes of the festival’s educational projects are free of charge, subject to pre—registration and selection.

The festival will be held with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

Source: https://t.me/russian_concert_agency

Registration: https://wiafs.ru/akademii/