Entertainment
5 reasons to READ The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
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This iconic novel is one of the favorite books of all Russians, though was banned for many years in the Soviet Union.
1. It’s a novel about Satan and God
German actor August Diehl as Woland in the 2024 movie
Mikhail Lokshin, 2023/AMEDIA
‘The Master and Margarita’ is actually a novel inside a novel. So, in essence, it has two parallel plots: the first one features how Satan visits 1930s Stalinist Moscow. He introduces himself as Professor Woland, a foreign specialist in dark magic. One by one, he meets different Soviet writers, officials and activists and even becomes surprised with some of their mindsets. Satan’s entourage consists of a witch, a large talking cat and two other demons who use evil powers to punish or prank people.
Russian actor Sergei Bezrukov as Yeshua Ha-Notsri (Jesus) in the 2005 series
Vladimir Bortko, 2005/Goskino
Another plot is actually a manuscript of novel written by the main character, the Master. Absolutely inappropriate for the early Soviet times, he’s writing a piece about Jesus (which he nicknames ‘Yeshua Ha-Notsri’), Pontius Pilate’s trial of him and his last days of life, including the crucifixion.
2. It was written by one of the most talented Russian writers of the 20th century and has many autobiographical details
Mikhail Bulgakov and his third wife Yelena, 1935
Public domain
Just like the novel about Yeshua and Pilate was a life work of the Master, the novel about Master and Margarita was the life work of Mikhail Bulgakov. (Read more about him here). The writer worked on it from 1928 and until his death in 1940 without ever seeing it published.
The novel has many autobiographical details – problems that the Master had with the novel, Bulgakov had with his books, as well as struggling with Soviet censorship. Just like Margarita, Bulgakov’s beloved woman Yelena was married to a respectful man, but also left him for the poor writer, sacrificing everything and dedicating her whole life to him (and then to his legacy).
The Master and Margarita in the 2005 series
Vladimir Bortko, 2005/Goskino
Bulgakov researchers believe that Yelena was a secret KGB informant and that maybe Bulgakov knew about it and justified her in the novel. As though she had signed a contract with “evil forces” to save him from prison.
3. It was banned for many years, but made a splash once published
Woland talking to Soviet writers in the 1994 screening
Yury Kara/TAMP film company, 1994
There were few chances that the novel could be published in the USSR, because of its supernatural material, Bible allusions, God and Devil issues and obvious criticism of the Soviet society.
The first very abridged and censored version saw the light only in 1967, more than 25 years after the author’s death. The full version, however, was published abroad and was also spread illegally among Soviets via ‘samizdat’, aka self-published copies.
In 1973, a separate, full version was finally allowed to be published in the USSR – and made quite the splash.
4. It’s one of the favorite novels of all Russians
Yevgeny Tsyganov as the Master and Yulia Snigir as Margarita in the 2024 film
Mikhail Lokshin, 2023/AMEDIA
From the time it was first openly published and right until today, polls show, that ‘The Master and Margarita’ is usually among Russians’ most favorite books.
Actually, it has all the features to be one: It has an exciting, intriguing plot, it’s incredibly humorous and has many funny expressions that have become idioms and aphorisms.
Nikolai Burlyaev as Yeshua Ga-Notsri and Mikhail Ulyanov as Pontius Pilate in Yury Kara’s film, 1994
Sputnik
Finally, Bulgakov pokes fun at the Soviet realities and depicts them with a metaphorical language; but readers still understand it and read between the lines.
5. It’s impossible to fully adapt to the screen or the stage, so can only be read to be fully appreciated
The Ball at Satan’s scene
Mikhail Lokshin, 2023/AMEDIA
Not a single theater or screen adaptation so far has been considered successful enough. Hardly any special effects or computer graphics could cope with bringing to life a naked witch flying over Moscow or a large talking cat from Satan’s entourage walking around the city and getting up to mischief.
The latest screen adaptation of ‘The Master and Margarita’ directed by Mikhail Lokshin premiered in January 2024. It prompted another wave of discussions about the pros and cons of the movie and if it really ever was possible to adapt it to the big screen.
Begemoth the Cat in the 2005 series
Vladimir Bortko, 2005/Goskino
Moreover, the the novel gained a reputation of a cursed piece, because every time people start working on an adaptation based on it, random mishaps and accidents would keep happening. Some actors got seriously ill and several even died soon after, while other administrative problems constantly kept plaguing different productions.
So, you best read the novel and imagine everything written in it with your own imagination (and wait until AI is talented enough to create a good adaptation!).
If we still haven’t convinced you to read it, then check out our short summary of the novel here!
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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
- Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
- Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
- Friday: Dh75
- Under 15s: Free
- People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
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