Afisha

Afisha Magazine is a groundbreaking Russian entertainment and lifestyle publication that ran from April 1999. It began in Moscow as a cultural guide similar to Time Out, but quickly evolved into one of the most influential media outlets in Russia.

Launched by Ilya Oskolkov-Tsentsiper, Andrew Paulson, and Anton Kudryashov, Afisha became known for its fresh editorial style, striking visual design, and coverage of contemporary urban culture. It featured listings and reviews for film, theater, music, and art events, while also covering fashion, food, and societal issues.

Cultural Impact:

- Afisha played a key role in shaping the media language and cultural identity of post-Soviet urban youth.

- It introduced new media aesthetics and trends, influenced public discourse, and supported emerging creatives in literature, design, and cinema.

- The magazine was known for its progressive stance on social issues and its support of freedom of expression.

Afisha published bold features, including a 2013 issue focused on LGBT lives in Russia—considered a landmark moment for Russian media.

It helped launch several spin-off projects like Afisha–Yeda (food magazine) and Afisha–Mir (travel).

It also created the Afisha Picnic, an annual cultural and music festival in Moscow, still popular today.