​​The closing ceremony of the 20th Winter Surikov Art Festival took place at the Grand Hall of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Society. The anniversary season concluded with a large-scale literary and musical concert, "A Priceless Gift," dedicated to the life and work of our great countryman Vasily Surikov.

This unique production is an adaptation on the book of the same name by the painter's granddaughter, Natalia Konchalovskaya. The audience was taken on an incredible journey through the past: from the artist's Cossack childhood in Siberia to his successes in St. Petersburg and Moscow, from personal triumphs to profound losses. The impact of the performance was strengthened by footage of Surikov's paintings and a live broadcast of the actors performing as Surikov and Konchalovskaya, as well as song, choreography, and live music.

The guests of the ceremony were welcomed by Mayor Sergei Vereshchagin:

— Today, we are all united by the feelings of admiration and gratitude, the priceless gift of knowing that our city has Vasily Surikov. The Festival is 20 years old. In fact, it was created at the initiative of Krasnoyarsk residents. The idea was announced at the first ever Krasnoyarsk city forum. Since then, approximately 5,000 events have taken place within the frameworks of the Festival, attended by over one million people! In the year of Krasnoyarsk's 400th anniversary, we will celebrate the 180th anniversary of the great artist's birth. As I have already mentioned, I personally hope that in 2028 it will be possible to organize the Festival in the new event space, the Surikov Centre, and the restored museum-estate of our fellow countryman.

A special guest at the ceremony was Vasily Surikov's great-great-granddaughter, actress Nadezhda Mikhalkova:

— Krasnoyarsk wouldn't be Krasnoyarsk without Surikov, as well as Surikov without Krasnoyarsk isn't the Surikov. How happy I am to belong to this by birth! History continues only so long as we remember and honor the memory. Only then there's meaning in living. Thank you so much for such warm reception to our family!

During her stay, the famous actress paid a visit to the Krasoyarsk Cinema House and the municipal library named after her grandfather Sergei Mikhalkov. The guest was given a tour, shown books autographed by her grandfather and rare editions of his works, a unique "interactive" book. An exhibition of illustrations to the famous "Uncle Styopa" made a particularly powerful impression, according to Mikhalkova herself.

Nadezhda Mikhalkova also visited her great-great-grandfather's birthplace, the V.I. Surikov Museum- Estate. On the artist's birthday, the annual "Bow to Surikov" event took place there, during which its articipants laid flowers at the painter's monument.​