The regional administration expressed condolences on the death of Rodion Bass

On September 10, 2017, the earthly journey of a talented organizer and leader in the sphere of culture, Honored Figure of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the first director of the Directorate of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" and General Director of the "Vitebsk Culture Center", Honorary Citizen of Vitebsk, Rodion Mikhailovich Bass, came to an end.

R.M. Bass was born on November 29, 1952, in Vitebsk. He began his career in 1976 at the Vitebsk City House of Culture, which he headed in 1981. He was the organizer of various festivals and competitions: the pop song and music festival "Krasnaya Gvozdika" (Red Carnation), the ballroom dancing festival "Vesenniy Bal" (Spring Ball), the instrumental and jazz music festival "Vitebskaya Osen" (Vitebsk Autumn), the International Festival "Parade of Dixielands", and "Vitebskaya Krasavitsa" (Vitebsk Beauty). Everything Rodion Mikhailovich was involved in was distinguished by a high degree of talent, professionalism, and demandingness towards himself and his subordinates.

In 1988–1990, R.M. Bass was the director of the All-Union Festival of Polish Song in Vitebsk. In 1991, he became one of the initiators of the organization and holding of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar" in Vitebsk.

He managed to unite a team of professionals around him, capable of turning the festival into a large-scale celebration encompassing all forms of art. Rodion Mikhailovich dedicated his inexhaustible energy, experience, and knowledge to his work. The "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival became a unique cultural phenomenon in the post-Soviet space, a calling card of Vitebsk and the Republic of Belarus.

R.M. Bass was the Vice-President of the International Federation of Festival Organizations (FIDOF). He left a significant mark on the history of the international festival movement. He participated in international festivals and competitions in Germany, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Serbia, and France.

In 2002, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus, R.M. Bass was awarded the honorary title "Honored Figure of Culture of the Republic of Belarus". His activities and active life position were recognized with the gold medal "For Merits in Strengthening Polish-Soviet Friendship. Poland – USSR", awards of the Union State, and other high accolades. In 2011, he was awarded the titles "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region" and "Honorary Citizen of the City of Vitebsk".

He was a high-class organizer, a responsible, intelligent, and caring person.

The bright memory of Rodion Mikhailovich Bass will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him and worked with him.

N. N. Sherstnev, V. V. Terentyev, O. S. Matskevich, V. N. Belous, V. V. Askerko, V. P. Penin, A. V. Sysoev, I. V. Kubrakov, S. M. Feoktistov, V. V. Zaryankin, V. P. Nikolaykin, V. S. Bashmetov, V. I. Belevich, S. V. Stashevsky, Yu. A. Panfilov, N. V. Orlov, G. M. Egorov, L. K. Olenskaya, A. P. Sidorenko, N. P. Pashinsky.