On April 28, the central event of the Victory Day memorial program — the musical and poetic performance “Spring Has Come Again to the White World…” — took place at the Russian House in Brussels to a full house. The evening was not merely a concert, but a profound artistic statement about the memory of the generation of the “fateful forties,” combining music, poetry, and a vivid emotional experience of history.

The leading role in the performance was played by Oleg Pogudin, People’s Artist of Russia, whose name has long become a symbol of high performing culture. He was joined on stage by young actors of the Theatre of Romance — Danil Mozhaev, Yulia Stozharova, and Elena Korobeynikova. Their collaboration gave the production a special polyphony and dramatic depth. The piano part was performed by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Oleg Weinstein, whose accompaniment became a vital emotional foundation of the performance.

The program was constructed as a delicate interweaving of wartime songs, romances, and poetic texts, creating a cohesive narrative about a time of trials, love, and hope. The audience not only listened attentively but also actively engaged — singing along to familiar melodies, while at times an almost tangible silence filled the hall, emphasizing the power of the spoken word.

The minimalist scenography made it possible to focus on the voice, intonation, and meaning. This created a special atmosphere for the evening. Each piece felt like an individual story, yet together they formed a unified artistic narrative about human destinies during wartime. The final compositions were met with prolonged standing ovations.

The great interest in the event and the full hall once again confirmed that art remains the shortest path to the audience’s heart, especially when it comes to preserving historical memory and honoring the heroism of the past. For many guests, the performance became not just a cultural event, but a personal experience and an occasion for an inner dialogue with history.

Oleg Pogudin is an outstanding performer of chamber music, with a repertoire of over 500 works ranging from classical and urban romances to folk songs and wartime ballads. Continuing the traditions of the Russian vocal school, shaped in part under the influence of his mentor Galina Vishnevskaya, he combines stage expressiveness with academic depth, performing annually in Russia and abroad.

The festive atmosphere at the Russian House is complemented by thematic exhibitions open throughout the memorial period. The project of the Victory Museum “Vernissage of the Victory Museum” introduces visitors to works by frontline artists and contemporary painters, creating a visual bridge between eras. Exhibitions of the Russian Geographical Society “Memory of Generations” and “Hero Cities Through the Lens” present monumental images and symbols of military glory.

A special place is occupied by the exhibition “Portrait of an Era” by Vera Mazhirina, as well as the archival exhibition of TASS Photo Chronicle “Chronicle of War,” which through documentary photographs reveals different aspects of life during the Great Patriotic War — from the hardships of the front line to rare moments of rest and the joy of Victory Day.

These visual testimonies complement the artistic impression of the performance, forming a holistic perception of the memory of the war and emphasizing the importance of preserving historical heritage for future generations.