The cultural-historical project “1905” addresses the characteristic Russian feeling of the inexplicable and the ultimate, something bordering the breakdown and the peak emotional strain. This is what we call “love” and dedicate the project to it.

We are going to speak about Russia in the beginning of the XX century, the time when nothing had been decided yet, and yet, the time when some changes were already underway; about Russian people, their trials and tribulations, and their dreams at the time: the time of the breakup of the old imperial world and the creation of the new one. Our ground premise is that 1905 opened a new epoch in the Russian history.

The project is versatile and includes lectures on history and fashion, city games, ballroom dances and public readings about the internal and external affairs at the time. Larp-poem “1905” (July 29 – August 1, 2015) will become the central event of the project. It will be an attempt on reconstructing a situation when Russians fought against other Russians; when Russians faced demons, both their own and someone else’s; when Russians were choosing a new way for themselves and struggling with their own loneliness, the difficulties and contradictions of the way of life, their own ignorance and misunderstandings, loss of direction and fear of their own hidden might.

This larp poem is about people who take an act; it’s not a fairy-tale about choice; it’s a story telling us that at first you wander in the dark forest and finally see the light – or reap out your heart to give light to others.

Mother Russia is the main character of the poem; it is she who is celebrated. A Russian is someone who loves their motherland and wishes all the good to her. But “the good” is too abstract a term, it allows many various interpretations. Especially, when there are many options and opinions, as well as inner and outside forces trying to influence the course of events.

No doubt, that those innumerous foreigners who happened to be in Russia at the time, had their own ideas of the country, of its people and its future, of what should happen with it. What has brought you here? Are you a journalist describing the tastes of the Russian public to your people? A promising diplomat caring first of all for the good of your own country? A professor invited to read a course of lectures, or a student in one of the universities? Or, maybe you’re married to a Russian and are now trying to adjust to the foreign lifestyle? Whatever the reason, you can’t stay indifferent to that big and important – as everyone felt at the time –something which was slowly but inexorably coming up.

A short victorious war, festivities intermittent with executions, manifestations and manifestos, articles and speeches (from tribunes, armored cars and stage) are among the many things we’ve got in stock for you. Surprisingly, at the time of big decisions and cardinal changes, even a quiet voice could change something. For people spoke to deliver ideas, and not for the sake of speaking.