The Bashmet Winter International Art Festival is taking place in Sochi.

Sochi hosts the Winter International Art Festival under the leadership of People's Artist of the USSR Yuri Bashmet. For almost two decades, the forum has become one of the key cultural events of the season, bringing together world-class musicians, actors and dancers on one platform. This was announced on February 21 by the correspondent of Izvestia Yaroslav Bogat.

The festival has been held for 19 years and, according to the organizers, has long gone beyond a series of concerts and performances, becoming a creative laboratory for masters of various fields. The program includes performances by famous soloists, chamber evenings, theater productions and ballet projects.

"It's always a revelation, it's always exclusive, it's always Bashmet-like. Because Bashmet is unpredictability, improvisation, spontaneity. <...> He unites a huge number of talented people around him," said Denis Matsuev, People's Artist of Russia.

It is noted that most of the events are held with a full house. The repertoire is carefully calibrated and includes the participation of leading musicians and artists. The invited actors and performers are trying to adjust their schedules in order to participate in the Sochi forum.

"This is a great celebration, a great event not only for me, but also for my colleagues, but also for those who come here for this particular festival to plunge into a little creative state," said People's Artist of Russia Ildar Abdrazakov.

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Guests are expected in the New Year's capital of Russia, on the glorious Kulikovo field, in the antique Kargopol and a number of other boring places.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced on February 19 that folklore concerts, theatrical performances and animation programs had been prepared for the guests of the Maslenitsa Festival as part of the Winter in Moscow project at venues throughout the capital. It was noted that folk melodies in a modern interpretation will be performed on the stages of the festival grounds, folklore groups and neo-folk groups will perform, sports events and master classes will be held.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.