The project «Concert in the dark. Inclusion 2.0» expands the borders: Odintsovo, Podolsk, Kolomna, Veliky Novgorod, Ryazan and Penza
Music, invisible artists and the complete absence of light — the Moscow inclusive project «Concert in the dark. Inclusion 2.0», supported by the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives, goes beyond the capital with new programs. This was announced at a press conference at the Agency for Creative Industries in Moscow on February 27.
Professional creative teams have prepared three new programs:
«Spring. Love. Victory!» — is the story of a Great Victory, told in the yellowed letters of two loving people.
«I want to go back to childhood» — a journey into the world, thanks to which we became ourselves.
«Dreams of Love» is an immersion into the most romantic season to the melodies of romances.
The project was supported by Diana Gurtskaya, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Commission for an Accessible Environment and the Development of Inclusive Practices of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, President of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Foundation «At the Call of the Heart»: «One of the main objectives of the project is to break down barriers between blind and sighted people. People with disabilities can and already are full-fledged participants in the creative industry.»
Igor Dumenko, a museologist, art critic, federal expert of the #MYPLACE International Prize, creator of the Concert in the Dark project, director of the
Alexey Gerashchenko, a blind professional musician, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, participant of the project «Concert in the Dark» since 2022, mentor of the performers of the current project, added: «The possibilities of our participants are limitless due to their perseverance and talent. Firstly, they are professionals, and only secondly, they are people with special needs.»
Natalia Krel, organizer of the international inclusive creative games, international expert auditor of the certification system for the prevention of harm to people with disabilities and other low-mobility groups, director of the Public Association «Union of All-Russian and Leading Organizations of the Disabled «AbiArt», delivered a video message: «The conference launches an important project that has been in existence since 2018 and has already proved its effectiveness. consistency.»
Milena Bogdanova, head of the All-Russian public movement «Cultural Volunteers», noted: «Our project has been cooperating with «Concerts in the Dark» for several years. More than 60 volunteers will help the organizers in Odintsovo, Kolomna, Podolsk, Veliky Novgorod, Ryazan and Penza.»
Evgeny Arnapolsky, head of the project «Dialogue in the dark. Russia», an expert on the digital accessibility of products for people with visual impairment, head of the team of blind guides of the project «Concert in the Dark Inclusion 2.0», concluded: «The project is an opportunity to «fall out» of the modern world, slow down, relax and look inside yourself.»
The discussion was moderated by Igor Namakonov— General Director of the Federation of Creative Industries, producer, writer, coach, and creative diplomat. Winner of Russia’s first golden Cannes Lions. Author of the best-selling book on the development of creativity «Brain Crossfit».
Upcoming concerts of the project «Concert in the dark. Inclusion 2.0» will be held in Podolsk on March 19−20, 2025.
View photos from the press conference
«Concert in the dark. Inclusion 2.0» is the only such project in Russia. Concerts are held in absolute darkness, which helps not only to hear, but to «see» music in a new way, and is aimed at developing competencies in the creative industry through literary and musical art for the integration of people with disabilities into the creative economy, mastering activities in the creative industry using new forms of performance and demonstration.
People with disabilities are active participants in the project in various roles: guide in the dark, screenwriter, sound engineer, musician, reader, etc. In 2025, the project was supported by the All-Russian Society for the Disabled, the Public Association «Union of All-Russian and leading organizations of the disabled «AbiArt», the All-Russian public movement «Cultural Volunteers», as well as the executive authorities of the Moscow region.
The first concerts were held in 2024 in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tula, attended by 1,090 people. The partners of the concerts were the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Cultural and Leisure Institution «House of Folk Art and Leisure», the Institute of Cultural Programs, the creative industrial cluster «Octava».
The autonomous non—profit organization Center for Socio-Cultural Programs «People IN» is the organizer of the project.
The State Budgetary Cultural Institution of Moscow, the