Iakinf: Kazan, Beijing and a scholar’s life

Iakinf tells the story of Nikita Bichurin, a scholar of Asian cultures and traveller who took the monastic name Iakinf. His life connects Kazan, Beijing and Saint Petersburg. Visitors to Tatarstan can discover a figure from the former Kazan Governorate through contemporary ballet.

Three cities in Iakinf’s life

Each of the three acts moves to a different city and explores a new turn in the central character’s life. Chinese themes become part of the production’s stage world and choreography, while a personal story unfolds alongside the pursuit of knowledge.

Rezeda Akhiyarova wrote the music, Renat Kharis the libretto and Alexander Polubentsev the choreography. The world premiere took place in 2023. Choose the production to explore contemporary Tatarstan music and a historical subject unusual for ballet.

Date and theatre

The performance is scheduled for 29 November 2026 at 18:00 at the Musa Jalil Tatar Opera and Ballet Theatre, Svobody Square. The theatre gives a duration of 3 hours, with two intervals, and an age rating of 12+. Consult the current playbill for tickets and cast.

For a journey from your hotel or another city address, contact Hola Taxi. Name the ballet and passenger numbers, and add a return after the evening separately.