The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan hosted a press conference dedicated to the International Festival of Contemporary Culture Kazan LIVE 2017

First Deputy Minister of culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, Elvira Kamalova, took part in the press conference.

"On the one hand, we are positioning this festival as another interesting opportunity to spend a day with good, bright, beautiful music, talented people, on the other hand, as another approach to improving the quality of non-classical music, non-traditional solutions. From the point of view of the development of professionalism in musical art, this festival is one of the headliners today, so I wholeheartedly thank the leadership of the republic, which this year has supported the festival as never before and thank the State Committee for Tourism, which responded, and which  it had initiated the things itself, "noted Elvira Kamalova.

The general producer of the festival Valery Korotkov told journalists about the innovations and changes related to the expansion, rebranding and change of the location of the festival. He noted that Kazan LIVE continues many traditions of its predecessor, the Kremlin LIVE festival, and at the same time the new venue determined certain features of the format and sound. So, the festival became more compact, all 7 of its venues will be located on the square in front of the Farmers' Palace, three thematic music stages, a food yard and many other activities will be organized at once.

The president of the festival for the fifth year is the People's Artist of Russia Igor Butman, who will perform on the main stage with the Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan. In addition, the program includes Tina Kuznetsova's performance with the project ZVENTA SVENTANA, the vocal group of the famous Georgian ensemble Rustavi and many other bright and interesting artists.

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Artur Abdrashitov stressed that Kazan LIVE, having expanded and changed the site, continues to pass at   the very center of the city, and its visitors  can enjoy the views of the Kazan Kremlin. According to him, the festival is a bright event in the series of events held as part of the Visit Kazan program, and contributes to the development of the tourist potential of the city and the republic.

Producer of  Kazan LIVE Inna Gorodetskaya told about the main principles of the festival, which remains unchanged throughout its existence. This, in addition to free entry, non-alcoholic format, multi-genre and multi-format, a variety of activities, from musical performances to master classes and programs for children. Kazan Live has always posed not only entertainment, but also educational goals related to the development and education of young people. This year the festival program also plans a large number of creative meetings, lectures, master classes, ranging from DJing and finishing with floristry.

Victor Odintsov, the famous doctor, the State Award Laureate of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the author-performer and a participant of the festival drew attention to the fact that culture and medicine, pedagogy and many other fields of knowledge have one goal - a healthy society. He told about his concert "Alchemy of Health", which will be held within the framework of Kazan LIVE.

Alsu Biktimerova, an artist-florist, also a festival resident, noted that she  takes part in this event with pleasure. This year she will present a master class on drawing up bouquets for children and adults, which, according to the concept of the festival, will  be  dedicated  Kazan and the nature of the native land, which is especially important in the year of ecology.

The famous Kazan rap artist Sergei Grom, who will perform at Kazan LIVE with the ALMA project, Valery Korotkov, unconventionally and creatively told about his participation in the festival. He spoke in the style of rap freestyle, improvising in front of those present, which caused sincere applause.

The organizers and participants of the Kazan LIVE festival also answered journalists' questions about the program of the upcoming festival. In particular, answering the question of the journalist of the Tatar-inform news agency about whether the festival program will contain compositions in the Tatar language, Valery Korotkov said that modern musicians are happy to use the national heritage in their work, and the guests of the festival will hear the Tatar Songs, as well as melodies of other peoples in modern treatments.

In the end, the organizers invited everyone to the Kazan LIVE festival, which starts on August 20 at 10.00.