Celebrate all things Russian in Baltimore

A three-week-long celebration of Russian culture opens Feb. 13 in Baltimore to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg, Russia.

One of the largest cultural festivals ever mounted in Baltimore, “Vivat! St. Petersburg” has enlisted more than 60 arts organizations. Restaurants will serve Russian dishes, and hotels will offer packages.

Why Baltimore? The area is a sister region to the St. Petersburg area, said Larry Noto, spokesman for the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Assn. Another link is Yuri Temirkanov, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He holds the same post with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and commutes between the two cities.

It was Temirkanov who three years ago suggested holding “Vivat! St. Petersburg” (“Long Live St. Petersburg!”), officials said. The effort began with just five city organizations and mushroomed.

The festival runs through March 2. For a schedule and other details, call (877) BALTIMORE (225-8466) or visit www.vivatfest.com.

Highlights include:

“The Faberge Menagerie” and “Origins of the Russian Avant-Garde”: The first exhibit, Feb. 13 to July 27, features about 100 miniature animal figures by Russia’s master goldsmith and jeweler, Peter Carl Faberge (1846-1920). The second, Feb. 13 to May 25, pairs works by Wassili Kandinsky, Kasimir Malevich and others with folk art that influenced them. Both are at the Walters Art Museum. Adult admission is $12.

“Art of the Ballets Russes”: Scores of stage and costume designs by Henri Matisse, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and others for 25 productions of the renowned early 20th century ballet company. Feb. 12 to May 4. Baltimore Museum of Art. Adult admission is $7.

Concert series: Music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and other Russians will be played by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Various dates, Feb. 13 through March 2. Tickets are $20 to $47.

“Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”: Dmitri Shostakovich’s opera, starring Karen Huffstodt, will be performed four times between Feb. 22 and March 2 by the Baltimore Opera Company. Tickets $60 to $95.

Several Washington, D.C., museums are also marking the anniversary. Among them are the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which will display works by women artists from St. Petersburg’s Hermitage museum (Feb. 14 to June 18; [202] 783-7370, www.nmwa.org) and Hillwood Museum & Gardens, with a show called “The Myths of St. Petersburg” (Feb. 4 to Dec. 31; [202] 686-5807, www.hillwoodmuseum.org).