Yevgeny Knyazev: Caucasus onlookers always give us good impressions

An awards ceremony for cultural and art workers has taken place today at the Imperial Hall of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. It was attended by the head of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Medina. ‘‘Such events provide an opportunity to bring you well-deserved awards on behalf of the country and thank you for your activity," he said.

Vestnik Kavkaza managed to interview Yevgeny Knyazev, the rector of the Shchukin Theatre Institute. In honor of 100th anniversary of the institute, the rector was awarded diplomas and appreciations by the President of the Russian Federation. According to People's Artist of Russia Yevgeny Knyazev, it is a very great reward for the whole team.

"And I am pleased to give you an interview, because our founder Eugene Bagrationovich Vakhtangov was born in Vladikavkaz. His house still exists. Today, our challenge is to make a Vakhtangov Museum-Apartment from this building. We have such an apartment in Moscow, where he lived. And we would like to have such a museum in Vladikavkaz," the rector of the Theatre Institute said.

Yevgeny Knyazev noted that he and his theater goes on tour to the Caucasus with great pleasure. "The impressions are always the best, because people are friendly there. We were in North Ossetia recently. We had a very big tour and played a lot of shows at two venues. There were many meetings with audiences, who were interested in it," he said.

"The traditional three Ossetian pies represent goodwill and the completeness of cuisine. For us the three Ossetian pies are the Vakhtangov Theatre in Vladikavkaz, the Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow, as well as the Vakhtangov School in Moscow. These are the three pillars. These are our Ossetian pies,’’ Knyazev said.

He also visited the South Caucasus. "Now the Vakhtangov Theatre is to travel to Georgia with the play Yevgeny Onegin. Last year we played Uncle Vanya there. ‘‘We visited Armenia many times And, of course, in Azerbaijan. In Baku. It's a very beautiful city today, with a wonderful seafront! Attention to culture is paid everywhere there. I am very pleased," concluded Yevgeny Knyazev.