Published on: 2026-10-14
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The 17th International Charity Festival “White Cane” will take place on October 15, on the International White Cane Day, at the “Moscow” concert hall. Blind and visually impaired vocalists from different countries, as well as Russian pop stars, will perform on the same stage. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.
“In Moscow, we are consistently creating opportunities for children with special health needs to express themselves through creativity and believe in their abilities. The “White Cane” festival grew out of a simple desire—to give talented children with visual impairments the chance to perform on a big stage alongside stars and make a name for themselves. The children prepare for auditions, rehearse, work with mentors, and appear before the audience—this way they gradually gain confidence, independence, and courage. Over 17 years, the festival has become a cherished tradition and has united more than 12,000 children from different countries. The project’s geography continues to expand. This year, 54 blind and visually impaired vocalists from 11 countries will perform on the same stage with well-known artists,” noted Anastasia Rakova.
The festival castings take place from February to September in eight federal districts of Russia. The geography of the project expands annually. This year, performers from Russia and other countries will take the stage: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia. For the first time, a participant from the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) will also join the final. Young artists will be supported on stage by Diana Gurtskaya, Ani Lorak, Zara, Valeriya, and other stars of the Russian pop scene.
Along with the stars, 23 trainees from the Center for Social Integration will take the stage. Among them are participants of the musicals from the “Inclusive Moscow” festival: Olesya Taranenko, who played the lead role in “The Canterville Ghost Mystery,” and the youngest actors of the musical “Swings,” Roman Bashinsky and Sofya Stroganova.
The organizer of the “White Cane” festival is annually the charitable foundation “By the Call of the Heart,” headed by Diana Gurtskaya, and the operator of the qualifying rounds in Moscow is the Diana Gurtskaya Center for Social Integration. This year, this festival became a finalist for the #WeAreTogether award and is currently participating in in the popular vote.
Diana Gurtskaya Center for Social Integration of the capital Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population — the only institution in Russia and other CIS countries that offers people with disabilities adapted socio-cultural rehabilitation programs. Here, children and young people aged from five to 35 develop creatively and engage in theater and visual arts, pottery, dance, singing, and instrumental performance. It is a methodological and infrastructural center where long-term creative trajectories are built for people with disabilities — from initial classes to participation in major projects, including the international festival “White Cane” and the city festival “Inclusive Moscow.”
White Cane Safety Day is dedicated to blind and visually impaired people. Its purpose is to draw attention to issues of their independence, creating an accessible environment for them, and opportunities for full participation in society. The white cane has become a symbol of independence and mobility for people with visual impairments.
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