Nikolai Rastorguev's first solo concert after a serious operation took place at the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk.

July 15, Vitebsk / Eduard Pivovar - BELTA/. The permanent leader of the band "Lyube" Nikolai Rastorguev performed with his first solo concert after a serious operation late last night at the international arts festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk," reports a BELTA correspondent. It all started on a solemn note. For five years in a row, Moscow Day has been held at the Vitebsk festival. Previously, the Russian capital presented a mixed program to the residents of the city on the Dvina River, but this year a special surprise was prepared – a solo performance by the Moscow band "Lyube." By tradition, the mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, sent greetings to the festival, which were read out by the representative of the Russian capital's government in Belarus, Vladimir Plaksin. In his address, the Moscow mayor characterized "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" as a bright and unique forum uniting representatives of different countries around Slavic cultures. "The Russian capital makes a significant contribution to multiplying the festival's traditions," stated Yuri Luzhkov. "Moscow has made, is making, and intends to continue to make a worthy contribution to the development of cultural cooperation." And then the band "Lyube" took the stage. The audience greeted Nikolai Rastorguev with thunderous applause. Until the last moment, the performance of this group in Vitebsk was in doubt: its leader had been seriously ill in recent years, and a couple of months ago he underwent a kidney transplant operation. In the time that had passed since the operation, there had only been a few individual performances by the band, and even then in mixed concerts. "Lyube" decided to hold a full-fledged solo concert for the first time. This group has always been distinguished by its masculine image, and now its soloist required personal courage. It was noticeable that his return to the stage was difficult for him – he looked quite unwell. The musicians were dressed in simple jeans, shirts, and T-shirts, and only a camouflage-colored cap on Rastorguev reminded of the former militaristic image. "We haven't been to the 'Slavianski Bazaar' for a long time, fate just didn't work out. We are glad to see you and will try not to disappoint," he said, after which he sang both old hits and songs from the new album "Svoi." The audience was not disappointed and even showed understanding that the soloist periodically glanced at the prepared texts. "I don't remember the new songs yet, but that will come with experience," he explained with a smile. Bidding farewell to the audience, Nikolai Rastorguev expressed his wish to come to the "Slavianski Bazaar" every year. However, journalists could not find out anything specific about the artist's future plans: the festival security service, for the first time, completely blocked all service entrances after the concert, not letting anyone in. However, the singer was more accommodating to his fans. Leaving the Summer Amphitheater, Rastorguev took a photo with the Belarusian special forces. "Lyube is strength," the soldiers chanted gratefully. -0-