The annual Melikhov elocution competitions are designed to identify and encourage elocutionists, to revive and support the interest of young professionals in the art of elocution. The genre of the spoken word is our national treasure, an exclusively Russian cultural phenomenon.

Young actors and senior students of the leading theatre universities of the country and abroad will compete in such a difficult type of performance skills as "art word". Each competition has its own theme. Thus, in addition to Chekhov's stories, the contest stage will feature works by other classics of Russian literature. The theme of the coming year is "Chekhov and Pushkin".

A total of 88 applications from Russia, Belarus and Tajikistan were submitted to the competition.

Among the applications received, it is pleasant to note the regular participants of the competition - the leading theatre universities of Russia: the M.S. Schepkin Higher Theatre School. M.S. Shchepkin Higher Theatre School, the Shchukin Theatre Institute at the M.S. Shchepkin Academic Theatre. B. Shchukin Theatre Institute at the Academic Theatre named after M. S. Shchepkin. Е. GITIS, S.A. Gerasimov VGIK, Yaroslavl State Theatre Institute and others.

International participants include the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and the Mirzo Tursunzade Tajik State Institute of Culture and Arts.

A large number of applications were received this year from theatres. The State Academic Maly Theatre, the Gorky Moscow Art Academic Theatre, the Nikitsky Gate Theatre, the S.V. Obraztsov State Academic Central Puppet Theatre, the Tula Regional Theatre of Young Spectators and many others sent their applications for participation.

On 15 November, the list of participants will be announced for the second round of in-person auditions. The auditions will take place at the Lopasnya-Zachatievskoye Estate, a branch of the Melikhovo Museum, on 26 and 27 January 2024.

And on 28 January, on the eve of A.P. Chekhov's birthday, the Melikhovo Museum-Reserve will host a gala concert with awarding the winners of the Competition.

We wish good luck to all participants!