Ticket sales remain the main source of profit for the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival.

May 19, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Ticket sales remain the main source of profit for the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", said today at a press conference the General Director of the "Vitebsk" Cultural Center, Festival Director Rodion Bass, according to a BELTA correspondent. The ticket prices for the events of the anniversary XX festival have increased by no more than 20% compared to last year (the cheapest ticket for a concert in the Summer Amphitheater costs Br10 thousand, the most expensive - Br450 thousand). As the first week of sales showed, audience interest in concerts has not decreased. Despite criticism of the directorate that there are many representatives of popular stage in the festival, the audience still buys tickets for their favorite performers, noted Rodion Bass. This year, the festival posters feature the names of Nikolai Baskov, Nadezhda Kadysheva, Valery Leontiev, Vyacheslav Dobrynin, Valery Meladze, Maxim Galkin, Avraam Russo. The opening and closing concerts of the festival are in high demand, which, as a rule, bring together the best domestic and foreign performers. Thus, the art groups "Choir of Turetsky" and "Soprano 10", the ballet under the direction of Boris Eifman, the group Space with Didier Marouani, Alexandra Pakhmutova, the state ensemble "Pesniary", Dima Bilan and other equally renowned guests will take part in the grand opening concert. Tickets for theatrical and film projects of the festival, as well as for concerts planned for Victory Square in Vitebsk, will go on sale soon. The festival is funded by the President's reserve fund, from the budget of the Union State, funds from the Ministry of Culture, as well as funds from sponsors and advertisers. In total, Br13.6 billion is expected to be allocated from the budget for the festival. According to Rodion Bass, the directorate is currently seeking opportunities to increase the amounts for holding the festival, including by attracting sponsorship funds. The XX International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" will be held from July 8 to 14, 2011. Representatives from 27 states are expected to participate. -0-