The leader of the Turetsky Choir is helped by strong Belarusian roots

July 16, Vitebsk /Eduard Pivovar - BELTA/. The head of the popular Russian art group "Turetsky Choir", Mikhail Turetsky, told journalists today about his Belarusian roots. His press conference was the last "Star Hour" for media representatives at the XVIII International Arts Festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", a BELTA correspondent reports. "My parents are from Belarus," the musician said. "I love it very much, I feel it as my small homeland. My mother was born in Maryina Gorka, my father is from the Mogilev region." By the time they met, his father was already living in Moscow, but in 1940 he came to Pukhovichi, where he met a 17-year-old girl, his future wife. Before the war, he took her to Moscow. "When the Germans entered Pukhovichi in July 1941, they buried all of my mother's relatives alive," Mikhail Turetsky continued. "It turned out that my father saved her life." Turetsky's parents lived in a happy marriage for 66 years; his mother passed away at the age of 84, and his father, who turned 96, is alive. "He was still ice skating a year ago, so Belarusian roots are strong, and they help me a lot," the musician added with a smile. The group led by Turetsky has existed for almost two decades. Its style - a combination of classical music and pop show - evokes different opinions from critics, but no one can accuse the artists of copying anyone: the "Turetsky Choir" has a bright individuality. This is not the first time the group has performed at "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". Today it will take part in the festival's closing ceremony, and on July 17, it will present a new program called "The Show Must Go On" at the Summer Amphitheater. -0-