The project, designed to encompass all of Russia and help involve every citizen in a grand celebration, is also aimed at showcasing Russian talent in the build-up to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi. 

Among the major theatrical events planned are the Moscow premiere of the play "Jewess" as performed by the Mikhailovsky Theatre, the world premiere of "Lost Illusions" at the Bolshoi Theatre and the Russian premiere of "The Giacomo Variations" with Ingeborga Dapkunaite and Malkovich, the American actor best known for his roles in films like the "Empire of the Sun" and "The Killing Fields". 

The Festival, which continues until May 31, is also due to host the "Folk Art of the Russian North" exhibition, a concert performed by the National Philharmonic of Russia under the direction of Vladimir Spivakov, and Ilya Averbukh's ice show "Big City Lights". 

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, said: "The aim of all our activities under the Cultural Olympiad is to reach the heart of each citizen of the Russia to unite traditions and innovations.

"The Sweet Cherry Forest Festival, with its numerous premieres and the wide variety of genres,  is considered one of the brightest events of Year of theatre of the Sochi2014 Cultural Olympiad."

More than a thousand different cultural events are due to take place in Sochi in the build-up to the Olympics and Paralympics.

Each year of the Cultural Olympiad will be dedicated to a different art: 2010 was the Year of the Cinema, 2012 will be the Year of Music, and 2013 the Year of the Museum.

This year, the second year of the Cultural Olympiad, was declared as the Year of the Theatre.