On May 27-28, 2017, leading humanitarian figures, philanthropists, representatives of business circles, and the media gathered in Armenia to take part in the second Aurora Dialogues. As part of the additional dialogue programme, prominent researchers and humanitarian activists who came to Yerevan in connection with the ceremonies of the Aurora Award, gave a number of open lectures on today’s most pressing humanitarian issues. On 28 May, Konstantin Khabensky met with his fans at the Russian-Armenian (Slavic) University and told them about the activities of the charitable foundation he established as well as fielding their questions. The actor's lecture was entitled, “How can role models help galvanize communities to take action on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable?”

Konstantin Khabensky is a People's Artist of Russia holder, actor of stage and screen, and recipient of the Kinotavr, Nika, Golden Eagle, and other awards. In 2008, Khabensky established a charitable foundation to help children with cancer and other severe brain diseases. Today, the Foundation ranks in the top ten of the highest fund-raising foundations in Russia. Not only does it provide targeted assistance, but it also helps equip the clinics with the equipment they need, organises their own rehabilitation programmes, improves the skills of the doctors, and changes the attitude of society towards the subject of oncology.

Speaking about his philanthropic work, Konstantin Khabensky admitted that he was trying to involve his colleagues on the stage and screen, who are ready to use their own popularity for the well-being of society. “We attract a lot of my colleagues, ‘well-known figures’, who deserve respect among us, the audience, for their visits to hospitals, and not only hospitals, but also their participation in our outdoor activities, in theatres, anywhere, because it is very important that they do this consciously. And very many, believe me, are already doing this consciously and feel the need to participate, to dip themselves in what I like to call, the ‘waters of charity’. Together with them, of course, this story includes their viewers, their fans, the media, friends, and acquaintances”, said the actor.

He recounted in detail to the audience the importance of systematic charity, to which people were involved, not on an ad hoc but a permanent basis, and mentioned that a model like this is usual in most developed countries. “Most countries understand that charity is the right thing to do, it's necessary, it's a must. We are also trying to build up the idea in our citizens, citizens of our country, to the fact that charity is something that is simple, necessary, and must be done. This is called everyday charity, when a person no longer thinks about whether his/her mood is good or bad, or to do some good deed, but when he/she is already tuned in. And once a week, a month, a quarter, he/she already automatically transfers some funds, or takes part in our events, or helps in some other way”, stressed Khabensky.

The most touching moment of the lecture was when a young Armenian listener thanked Khabensky. The boy said that the charitable foundation established by “Uncle Kostya” helped him get the necessary treatment, and shook Khabensky's hand to a standing ovation from the audience.

Khabensky urged everyone not to wait for a special occasion to manifest their own heroism and reminded those gathered that any moment could be a time of heroes; including the one in which we live. “You just need to think and understand for yourself that heroism doesn't have to be on the scale of a battle. It may be personal heroism, which is not immediately noticeable to someone, but an inner sense of dignity, which will always be with you”, assured the actor.

In response to a question about his motivation and his main driving force, Khabensky noted that he relies on hard work and tries to remain faithful to himself and his chosen field. If you are honest and dedicated to your profession, it will sooner or later pay off”, he said.

In 2010, Konstantin Khabensky began to implement his own project, “Studio of Creative Development”, created at the intersection of the actor's on-screen work and charitable activities. Children's theatrical studios on the basis of comprehensive schools were opened in Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Perm, and other cities. The continuation of the project was the "Feathering" festival and the charity performance “Generation of Mowgli”. One of the participants in the lecture invited the actor to open a children's studio in Yerevan. The participants welcomed the idea through their applause, and Khabensky thanked the girl and promised to think about the direction for the project's development.

Khabensky's enthusiasm touched the audience, they were clearly inspired by the actor's energy. “I believe in the things our foundation is doing. It's the right thing, it is necessary,” Konstantin Khabensky concluded.

Below you can watch the video of Konstantin Khabensky's lecture (in Russian).