The message reads in part:
“It may be symbolic, but the Russian National Theatre Award and Festival The Golden Mask are marking their 25th anniversary in 2019. I wholeheartedly congratulate recipients, participants, organisers, spectators and everyone involved in implementing this unique and inspiring project on the occasion of this anniversary.
It will not be an exaggeration to say that the Golden Mask competition-festival is one of the main events of the theatrical season. It has been acquainting audiences with wonderful productions, the works of talented directors, script writers and performers and their interesting and unconventional creative solutions for the past 25 years. It provides substantial support to small teams and regional theatres that bring into being bold and ambitious concepts and make an active contribution to developing and popularising theatrical art in a highly professional manner.
And, of course, it is very important that Moscow residents and tourists, as well as residents from other Russian and foreign cities, will be able to watch the festival’s best plays that have been selected by members of an influential jury. I am confident that they will make a profound impression on all of them, and that these people will perceive the entire powerful potential of modern Russian theatre.”