Gennady Khazanov: I have been given more than I deserve

Talking to an artist before a performance is not an easy task. Especially when it comes to a famous theater and film actor, TV presenter, public figure, head of the Moscow Estrada Theater. However, Gennady Khazanov has many achievements, but for the audience, he will always remain an inimitable comedian who won the hearts of his admirers many years ago. Probably, that's why the program "Stress Conference", which he brought to Vitebsk on the eve of "Slavyansky Bazaar", gathered a large number of true fans of this national favorite's work in the "Vitebsk" concert hall. As an exception, the artist gave a few minutes to "Vitebskiye Vesti".

- What thoughts were you traveling to Vitebsk with?

- I can say that with this trip, I am finishing my theater, concert, and television season of 2014-2015. Therefore, as at the finish line, there is both fatigue and a sense of joy. It was a busy and interesting creative period.

- In many of your performances, there was a subtle political note – you wittily satirized famous people. How have your views changed now?

- I wouldn't label myself as a politicized person. I've had to play various roles, including those far from politics, but the years I've spent on stage have shaped my image with the general audience. I've become more involved in my profession. For the last 17 years, I've been heavily involved in theater; I have about 10 theater productions to my name. While some might not consider that a lot, there are plays where I play one of the main characters. That's enough.

- Where did you tour before Vitebsk?

- I worked in Moscow. In addition, in the past season, I was involved in a play at the Russian Theatre named after Mikhail Chekhov in Riga – it is the oldest outside of Russia. The premiere took place in April. This production is in the permanent repertoire. I come there to perform.

- What do you think of Vitebsk?

- I haven't seen anything yet. Vitebsk is mainly of Soviet construction, but not everything that was done then was bad, especially cultural institutions: they are incomparable to later ones. Here we are sitting in a well-decorated, clean, renovated room (dressing room. - Ed.). From my point of view, Belarus is the only place in the post-Soviet space where, without abandoning what was before, there is movement, albeit not as fast as some might wish. This is evolutionary development, and whatever is said about the President of Belarus, time shows: your country, without forgetting its past, history, and traditions, is slowly changing for the better. I repeat again: sometimes wealth contributes to the decay of the soul, but here the soul does not decay.

- What trend have you noticed: is your audience getting older or younger?

- I would say it is shrinking in quantity, which is also natural, considering that I am supposed to turn seventy this year. This is old age by all standards, but I don't consider myself to be. Although, when I watch a recording of my 50th birthday, I see that about 60 percent of those in the hall have already left this mortal coil. Along with them, my audience, who walked through life with me. Young people, quite naturally, have different tastes. It's foolish to be offended by this. I remember myself at 20-30 years old, when it seemed that what was yesterday was hopelessly outdated and out of fashion. Every generation has its own idols.

- Are you satisfied with your creative life?

- Yes, it would be a sin to complain! I believe I have been given more than I deserve.

- Thank you for the interview!

Tatyana Serebryakova, "Vitebskiye Vesti"