Like it or not, the twentieth century was a  Russian century.

The world of the twentieth century was built in the pace of developments in the USSR, hostile power, political reference, New Rome for some, new Carthage for others.

The artistic life from the end of the nineteenth century, was forever marked by the awakening of a huge geographical entity settled between Europe and Asia. Its brand new academic culture, coming out from the swamps of Saint Petersburg has made its way to join the "modernity", to be part of it, and with others, to build it.

Modern music:  invented  by Stravinsky

Modern dance: invented by Nijinsky

To invent modern poetry, Cendrars travelled on the train throught the Empire.

Constructivism, Futurism, the Russians participartion in those movements was decisive.

It was therefore impossible to talk about music of the twentieth century without a festival devoted to Russian music, which accompanied the end of the Tsarist empire, the splendors and miseries of the Soviet one, World War II.

Behind the screen of politics, emerges the soul of a people for whom music is living matter, almost mystical entity, vital need.