Architecture, art, and sports - the 14th All-Star Game of the Kontinental Hockey League took place on December 9-10, 2023, in St. Petersburg at the new, largest hockey arena in Europe, the SKA Arena.
The main theme of the pre-game show on the first day of the star weekend in 2023 was the architecture of St. Petersburg. The new SKA Arena will join the list of attractions in the Northern capital and stand alongside the Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, the Admiralty, and other popular tourist spots in St. Petersburg.
Another inspiration for the SKA Arena was the painting "New Man" by artist El Lissitzky – he contributed to the emergence of Suprematism in architecture during the 1920s. On the first day of the FONBET KHL All-Star Game 2023, Lissitzky's work was featured in the projection on the ice during the opening of the star weekend with participation from the “Todes” show ballet.
Simultaneously, 220 people danced on the ice, forming welcoming corridors for players’ entrance.
The Russian anthem before the competitive program on the first day of FONBET KHL All-Star Game 2023 was performed by opera singer Ildar Abdrazakov, an honoured artist of Russia and a laureate of the Golden Mask award and two Grammy awards. Throughout his rich creative career, he has performed at venues such as the Bolshoi Theatre, London's Royal Albert Hall, New York's Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonic Hall, and other halls around the world.
The central theme of the second day was the connection between culture and hockey.
The pre-game show was opened by the Big Variety-Symphonic Orchestra of St. Petersburg under conductor Artem Teterin. They were joined by headliners Filatov & Karas, who performed their super hit "Past Me" for the first time accompanied by 60 musicians and top ballet dancers. Stars of Russian ballet took to the ice in a performance choreographed by soloist and choreographer Yuri Smekalov from Mariinsky Theatre. The number featured vibrant projections on ice and blended elements from contemporary music, symphonic orchestra, ballet, and multimedia content throughout the arena.
From this collaboration of styles, they transitioned to classical music – the second ice ballet number was set to Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird," composed for Russian ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev. The use of traditional Russian music marked a departure from Western traditions in ballet and made "Firebird" innovative.
The final segment of the show featured a performance by headliner group The Hatters, which was founded in St. Petersburg and plays gypsy folk rock. Over their eight-year creative career, they have released seven albums and performed hits like " I'm in the moment," in St. Petersburg," as well as Igor Kornelyuk's beloved song " Rains," popular in St. Petersburg and across Russia.
As always during Hockey All-Star Week, special attention was given to KHL partner activations, protocol ceremonial award presentations, and audience engagement.