Translators are preparing for the "Slavianski Bazaar": some are studying singers' biographies, others are assembling first-aid kits

July 1, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The interpreter for guest of the XVIII International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", German pop diva Sarah Connor, is studying the singer's creative biography, while the interpreter for the participants of the young performers contest of popular songs "Vitebsk-2009" is assembling a first-aid kit. Such secrets of festival preparation were revealed to a BELTA correspondent by the international department of the "Slavianski Bazaar" directorate. A mandatory requirement for those who will help foreign stars communicate is excellent command of the language, friendliness, and knowledge of their protégé's work. Therefore, Sarah Connor's interpreter will have to learn about the single "From Sarah with love" that brought her popularity, about her singing in a church choir, and about her acquaintance with Michael Jackson. Young contestants' interpreters may have a slightly easier time learning their still short creative biographies, but they will have plenty of other worries. After all, an interpreter is not only a facilitator of linguistic communication – they are a guide and even a nanny in one person, as explained by the festival directorate department. Some artists need to be tactfully dissuaded from going to a night disco, while others urgently need a cut finger bandaged or their temperature taken – this is why the interpreters for the young contestants are assembling a first-aid kit. This year, 15 philologists with knowledge of German, English, Polish, and Macedonian will work in the festival's international department. All of them have higher education; among them are university lecturers and professional translators. In addition, a database has been created of those who know foreign languages and would like to assist festival guests with communication. -0-