Culture

These Afghan girls have to reject their femininity and pretend to be male. They are called Bacha Posh. In Afghanistan’s traditional patriarchal society, many women can’t leave the house without a male accompanying them. For this reason, if a family has no son, a daughter is often appointed to play his role. Having tasted freedom, some of the girls never want to go back.

The International Tchaikovsky Competition, first held over 50 years ago, is a highly prestigious award in the classical music world. It attracts well-established and less well-known musicians from all over the world. They all come hoping for glory and international recognition though only one can win.

When these people perform stunning and extremely difficult stunts on tightrope it looks like it's as natural for them as walking on the ground. But while learning these skills, they had to learn how to fall.

Every year, crowds from around the world flock to the small Serbian town of Guca, for its famous, annual trumpet festival. The lively, upbeat music makes for a great summer event and gives less-known bands a chance to get noticed and make it big. But behind the fun and carefree festive atmosphere, few people see the gruelling demands placed on the musicians dedicated to their art.

Pianist Vladislav Teterin’s foundation, 'World of Art', is a very special charity for disabled children. It gives young singers and musicians a chance to shine on stage and to show the whole world that their physical disabilities are no barrier to them developing their talents.

RT takes an exclusive look at North Korea, the world’s most closed-off country. Life here is isolated from the outside world and every aspect of existence is regulated by order of the "Great Leader", from the art you’re allowed to see, the books you can read, even to your hairstyle.

The creative vision of one man transformed a community of farmers into a centre of modern art. Russian artist Nikolay Polissky turned his village into an artistic colony, where residents are the co-authors of his monumental nature-inspired sculptures. Twice a year, the village holds the largest Land-Art festival in Russia - Archstoyanie.

Russia's State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is home to countless pieces of art from around the world. We go behind the scenes of the former imperial palace on the Neva River to meet volunteers of all kinds...including cats.

Take a trip to the heart of Russia! RTDoc’s Sophie Shevardnadze shows you parts of Moscow Kremlin hidden from public view, discovers the top secrets and visits the hidden rooms of one of the world's most iconic fortresses!

Becoming a professional ballerina is a journey that begins at a young age and is extremely competitive. We meet young girls devoting their lives to the profession, as well as the women, who end up on the very top, performing on stage at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.

James Brown finds plenty to explore in the Perm Region: a thriving city that's making an artistic statement, a legendary ice cave and an industrial center steeped in history are just a few highlights of his eventful journey.

Meet China’s 'makers': inventors, engineers and visionaries whose innovations have the potential to shape the future of their country and the whole world. They let their imaginations fly and have fun with their creativity, making the process of building a business seem easy. 

Around 2 million refugees have entered Europe since 2015. One of the countries was the Netherlands. Boasting a liberal culture, Dutch society presented the newcomers with an environment strikingly different from what they were used to. However, despite the challenges, Holland seems to be making the integration work. We travel there to find out how the refugees are adapting to their new realities and who is helping them.

After leaving the Moscow Ballet company to pursue his career in classical ballet, soloist Dmitry Prusakov joins the famous Kremlin Ballet. He now works inside the Kremlin walls, in the very heart of Moscow. This is a dream job for many dancers, but those who get in must prove themselves.

From a very young age girls in Mauritania are put on a strict diet to help them achieve a certain standard of beauty and ensure that they can find a good husband. The reality of this means force-feeding. Leblouh, as the tradition is called, may be fading away in the cities but it’s very much alive in rural areas.

Tensions are running high in the theatre of another "Arabesque" competition contestant, Japanese dancer, Hayato Nisidzima. He and his colleagues at the Moscow Ballet are devoted fans of classical ballet, while their choreographer prefers contemporary dance.