"Voices of the Future", Joint Project of Vyzov Foundation and Konstantin Bogomolov, Launched on September 19

The Moscow Drama Theater on Malaya Bronnaya Street (Bronnaya Theater) hosted the presentation of "Voices of the Future", a project executed by the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations in collaboration with Konstantin Bogomolov.

"Voices of the Future" is a series of performances about outstanding scientists whose research is changing the course of history. The project aims to demonstrate that scientists are the real celebrities and heroes of our time, and to draw public attention to their work and achievements.

What makes the "Voices of the Future" project unique and special is that, along with recognized scientists of the 20th century, it will focus on our contemporaries who are making discoveries that can change our lives in the next 5-10 years.

Guests awaiting presentation

During the presentation, parallels were drawn between the great scientific projects of the past and the present. Igor Mirkurbanov, Merited Artist of the Russian Federation, performed fragments from a speech of academician Igor Kurchatov while the audience was shown unique archival photographs and video footage and learned about the contribution of the Soviet scientist to the development of nuclear industry. Konstantin Bogomolov, Art Director of the Bronnaya Theater, delivered a speech about the development of quantum technologies and shared his personal impressions of communicating with scientists who are engaged in the Russian quantum project. These scientists include Ilya Semerikov, creator of Russia's most powerful trapped-ion quantum computer, laureate of the VYZOV Prize for Future Technologies. The 32-year old researcher will become one of the protagonists of the theatrical project "Voices of the Future".

Konstantin Bogomolov, Art Director of the Bronnaya Theater: "These performances will be entertaining and fascinating as well as educational. Our task is not to act as nerds or read some boring lectures, but to create an exciting show for all with the help of wonderful actors."

Konstantin Bogomolov, Art Director of the Bronnaya Theater

Leonid Shlyakhover, President of the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations: "We at the Vyzov Foundation have come up with a whole new Science&Art format to talk about science is a simple and engaging way, involving outstanding artists in our projects: musicians, actors, directors. I am sure that the Voices of the Future project will appeal to the general public, and will also help spread the word about the achievements of Russian scientists. We will continue to develop this format and are already planning, for example, a symphonic project at the intersection of science and art."

Leonid Shlyakhover, President of the Vyzov Foundation, and Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprombank, Member of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation

Ilya Semerikov, physicist, creator of a trapped-ion quantum computer, laureate of the Vyzov Prize for Future Technologies: "I am glad to see projects that bring scientists out of the shadow of laboratories onto the big stage, so to speak. I hope that this will attract even more young and talented people to science. Science and art, in my opinion, are interconnected. Actors make discoveries on stage, we make discoveries in our labs. It seems to me science requires no less creativity than theater."

Ilya Semerikov, VYZOV Prize laureate

The theatrical project focusing on Russian scientists will contribute to the popularization of science and its achievements, which is one of the key areas of focus for the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations. 

The mission of the Foundation is to make science a popular and desirable occupation in Russia, to create new perception of science and technologies as topmost values for the society.

The co-founder of the Vyzov Foundation is Gazprombank. The partners are Rosatom State Corporation and Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Moscow Government.

Ruslan Yunusov, Co-Founder of the Russian Quantum Center, Chairman of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation: "The Voices of the Future project tells about scientists, their work, life, feelings and emotional experiences. We want people to know more about those who shape the future of our country."

Ruslan Yunusov, Co-Founder of the Russian Quantum Center, Chairman of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation

Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprombank, Member of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation: "Our bank has been actively supporting innovation and paying special attention to the technological agenda for the past two decades. We are well aware that outstanding personalities play a very important role in the development of science and technologies. The Voices of the Future project focuses on such people. It shows that scientists are role models, the heroes of our time. And this is incredibly valuable and important."

Ekaterina Solntseva, Chief Digital Officer at Rosatom State Corporation, Member of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation: "Today, the Russian science experiences the influx of unique young talents who take on challenges that open up new prospects for our country and all of humanity. However, few people outside the scientific community are aware of this. Art can become a kind of mediator between the reality of scientific research and the general public if it finds the right tone for a modern and intelligent conversation about the tasks, problems, and psychology of science. The ideas of the "quantum future" can inspire artists just like the idea of thermonuclear fusion inspired people in the 20th century. Scientific research can become a rich and relevant source for theater, cinema, and contemporary art. I would like to think that young artists will find inspiration in it."

Ekaterina Solntseva, Chief Digital Officer at Rosatom State Corporation, Member of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation

The evening continued with the discussion of projects at the intersection of science and art held in the form of a theatre lounge. The event was hosted by Sofiko Shevardnadze and featured Tatyana Chernigovskaya, Professor, Doctor of Biological and Philological Sciences; Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation; as well as Ilya Semerikov, one of the protagonists of the Voices of the Future project. The guests exchanged views on similarities between science and art and their role in the development of society, and discussed whether art can bring science into public spotlight through projects such as Voices of the Future. They also talked about artificial intelligence, professional fulfillment, and the importance of an open dialogue between scientists and artists.

Tatyana Chernigovskaya, Professor, Doctor of Biological and Philological Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education: "As a scientist, I am sure that art is more difficult than science, because science is calculable, it has an algorithm, and we know how to deal with it. It is impossible to merge these two areas, but it is important that they become saturated with each other. Because art is another way of communicating with the world, different from science."

Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation: "Such meetings and events help us better understand ourselves. There is just so much uncertainty in today's world and people want something to rely on. We can rely only on genuine knowledge, because we often pay too high a price for not knowing or understanding the world we live in."

Mikhail Shvydkoy, Sofiko Shevardnadze, Tatyana Chernigovskaya, Ilya Semerikov. Theater lounge

Source of all photos: photobank of the Vyzov Foundation