"Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" serves as an example of internationalism - V. Tatarsky

"SLAVIANSKI BAZAR" IS STRONG IN ITS TRADITIONS

The "Slavianski Bazar in Vitebsk" International Arts Festival has turned 20 years old. Over these years, the festival itself has changed, and stars have replaced stars on its firmament. However, for 18 years now, the "Star Hour" – press conferences with celebrities – and its host, Honored Artist of Russia, author and host of the popular Russian radio program "Meeting with a Song," Viktor Vitalievich Tatarsky, have remained unchanged. A man of impeccable taste and the highest culture of the word, a maestro of music journalism, shared his impressions of the festival with a BELTA correspondent and expressed his opinion on its future.

- I come to the "Slavianski Bazar in Vitebsk" festival annually and each time I experience an unflagging interest in what is happening here. I am involved with the meeting club – the "Star Hour." I dare assure you that real stars, not just of pop culture, appear here: Michel Legrand, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Sergei Yursky. For me, "Slavianski Bazar" is, first and foremost, meetings and conversations with talented people.

Secondly, I am interested in observing from the sidelines, following what is happening in musical song culture, in the theater world, in cinema, and the festival provides this opportunity: good theaters come here, new films are shown, and classical music concerts are frequent.

- Viktor Vitalievich, your author's program "Meeting with a Song" has been on Russian radio for 45 years. You are more aware than anyone of what is happening with modern song culture in the post-Soviet space.

- Speaking of modern song culture, I can say only one thing – it's sad. A song is a combination of good music, good poetic material, and performance. As a rule, I do not see the combination of these three components in modern performers. Even with Pugacheva, a wonderful actress, I emphasize – an actress, a wonderful pop performer, the lyrical material of her songs raises doubts. To stage a good play, good dramaturgy is needed. And the performer must have their own unique style, but there are no unique styles.

Currently, so-called "chanson" is emerging in the Russian pop scene. But I only know French chanson, and everything else is a lack of culture and upbringing, which is passed off as folk songs. It seems to me that certain forces, in order to push low-quality projects, tried to lower the public's taste bar, and they succeeded. Now anything can be promoted on screen, on stage, even profanity.

In this regard, "Slavianski Bazaar" is favorably distinguished by the fact that good songs are still heard here, and the cultural bar is still maintained.

- "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" has passed its twenty-year milestone. In recent years, there have been many proposals to change its concept. Do you think there is a need to transform the festival?

- "Slavianski Bazaar" is strong in its traditions and is therefore interesting. Here you can see folk art, folk crafts, professional and amateur art. It preserves the best traditions of the past, what they are trying to get rid of in Russia and in the post-Soviet space. As for new things, in my opinion, one must be careful not to spoil the good that already exists.

- You come to the festival every year and have probably noticed the changes that have occurred during this time in Belarus, in Vitebsk, and at the festival itself?

- A lot has been done to make guests feel comfortable at the festival. Twenty years ago, there was only one hotel in the city; now there are many, and the Summer Amphitheater has been reconstructed. Vitebsk has been transformed beyond recognition. The festival itself has significantly advanced in technical equipment, and its services work flawlessly. It is noteworthy that the city and country authorities attach great importance to the festival - this is felt in its organization.

- Viktor Vitalievich, what projects of the XX International Festival of Arts are interesting to you as a spectator?

- It's hard to surprise me with anything, I've seen a lot and heard many, but there are projects at the festival that are interesting to me. I selectively attend concerts. I was at the "Theatrical Meetings," where a play starring Ekaterina Vasilyeva was performed.

But most of all at the festival I love to walk and observe, "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" is a celebration. People come here from many cities, from different countries. Believe me, I do not overestimate its significance: for decades it has had its setbacks and successes. But if we talk about internationalism, then this is "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". And this is not a myth. The festival proves that cultures interact, that people are interested in each other, they want to be together. I don't know of any other similar festival in the post-Soviet space.

Diana KURILO,
BELTA.-0-