The premiere of *Arsenyev*, starring Ondasyn Besikbasov, took place in Vladivostok.
15 september 2026 · News
Audiences in Primorye were the first to see the opening two episodes—a region inextricably linked to the life and discoveries of Arsenyev, and where much of the filming took place for this historical series produced by Russia TV and Okko with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of Primorsky Krai. Sber served as the strategic partner.
The premiere program kicked off at the Arsenyev Museum-Reserve of the History of the Far East. This venue hosted the press conference dedicated to the series as well as a special screening of a film about its production. The choice of location was symbolic: the museum has borne the explorer's name since 1945 and houses memorial artifacts and archival materials associated with him. Participants in the discussion with journalists included Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako, *Arsenyev* artistic director Yevgeny Mironov, screenwriter Ilya Tilkin, director Dmitry Kiselyov, producer Alexander Novin, and actors Viktor Verzhbitsky, Yulia Khlynina, and Ondasyn Besikbasov.
The series premiere itself took place at the Okean cinema in Vladivostok. A large-scale immersive program awaited guests there, inspired by the world and events depicted in *Arsenyev*. Outside the cinema, organizers recreated a Cossack camp, an Udege village complete with a shaman, and an early 20th-century social salon featuring live performances of romantic ballads. These themed areas introduced viewers to various facets of the era and the world explored by Vladimir Arsenyev. The first two episodes were presented by the visiting production team and representatives from Primorsky Krai who had contributed to the series' creation. At the premiere, Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako—the driving force behind the *Arsenyev* project—spoke about the establishment of the Order of Arsenyev in the region to honor the outstanding Far East explorer and announced that he was presenting the award to Yevgeny Mironov that day.