YOUNG RUSSIAN MUSICIANS’ CONCERT HELD IN ISTOČNO SARAJEVO

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 10 /SRNA/ – A Rising Stars concert, featuring young Russian musicians, was held this evening at the Music Academy of the University of Istočno Sarajevo as part of a project presenting Russian classical music and culture.

The concert featured pianist Maksim Miloslavski, soprano Arina Veryovkina and clarinettist Mikhail Filimoncev. Alongside the musical programme, the audience also had the opportunity to view reproductions of works by Russian watercolour artist Sergei Andriyaka and his students.

Russian Ambassador to BiH Igor Kalabukhov told the press that events of this kind contribute to the development of cultural ties between Russia and Republika Srpska and give audiences an opportunity to discover young Russian artists.

He stressed that one of the key tasks of the Russian Embassy is to develop cooperation between artists in the fields of music, film and theatre.

"This is very good cooperation that is developing alongside our political, economic and other ties. This demonstrates that Russian culture cannot be denied, as it has always sought new sources of inspiration, particularly among young people," Kalabukhov emphasized.

Maja Žuža, Dean of the Music Academy, said the event confirmed the successful cooperation between the educational institution, the Russian Embassy in BiH, and music conservatories in Russia.

She said it was a particular pleasure to welcome students from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, who presented chamber music through clarinet and piano performances, as well as solo singing.

Žuža noted that the concert was part of a pilot project organised by the Russian Embassy, whose success could open the door to more frequent visits by Russian artists to Istočnp Sarajevo.

"If this pilot project takes off, there is a possibility that events like this could become a tradition, which would provide our pupils and students with a valuable opportunity to interact more often with artists who work and develop their careers in one of the cradles of music," Žuža said.

The programme included Russian folk compositions and works by Russian composers Sergei Taneyev, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Sergei Rachmaninoff, as well as compositions by Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt and Luigi Bassi.

As part of the programme, masterclasses in piano and solo singing are also planned for pupils from primary and secondary music schools in the Istočno Sarajevo area.

The concerts by young Russian musicians are being held with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the federal agency Rossotrudnichestvo.