Arthur Tsomaya: "Heydar Aliyev was a unique, extremely prudent person, everything was interesting for him"

Artur Tsomaya, director general of the Syabry Ensemble, People’s Artist and Honored Artist of Russia, "Alliance Production" artistic director, first deputy chairman of the Culture Commission of the Union State's Public Chamber, gave an interview to Vestnik Kavkaza

- What are the most interesting projects implemented by your organization over the past year?

- Out Public Chamber was established in July of 2017. It included two hundred people - one hundred from the Republic of Belarus, and one hundred from the Russian Federation. They are prominent cultural figures, economists, deputies, military leaders - people who are worried about relations between our countries and are trying to make them even closer. As for the cultural aspect, the Public Chamber does a lot in this direction. Over the past year, we organized several trips to Syria, where creative collectives raised morale of our soldiers. A lot of work is being done on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, which will be celebrated in May. In particular, large-scale events will be held in Brest, there will be a lot of art collectives there. Therre will be a huge march, which will begin in Moscow and end in Brest. I think such steps will only strengthen relations between Russia and Belarus.

- What else is planned for besides celebration of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War?

- Next fall, we will participate in celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Brest, we're also preparing several more trips to Syria.

- What do you think about relations between Russia and Belarus, considering the fact that bilateral ties have become somewhat complicated in recent months?

- Who said they became complicated? I don't see any problems. I don't think citizens see any problems. Relationship between our peoples were sincere and friendly, and nothing has changed. We can convey positive information about cooperation between our countries through culture. Both Belarus and Russia have very rich culture. I don't exclude the possibility that someone wants to complicate our relations, but we are trying to keep them at good level.

- Anthem of the Union State was presented last year. What do you think about it?

- I was one of those who approved this anthem. I was pleased that it was performed by the People’s Artist of the Republic of Belarus, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, founder and artistic director of the legendary Syabry ensemble, Anatoly Ivanovich Yarmolenko. This anthem was unanimously approved by the Public Chamber of the Union State, and will now be heard before the beginning of each meeting.

- What are the Syabry ensemble's creative plans?

- It now exists for 45 years. In November, several large concerts took place in Minsk, in the Palace of Republic. Now it's preparing for a huge tour across cities of the former Soviet Union and far abroad. A lot will be done starting from February. We are going to tour cities of Russia; in the United States, Israel.

- You are touring across the former USSR a lot. You even personally knew Heydar Aliyev. When was the last time you were in Baku?

- It would be an overstatement to say that I knew him. Our profession involves meetings with high-ranking political figures. Heydar Aliyevich was at our concert in the mid-1990s, and we were introduced to him. That's how I met him. He was a unique, extremely prudent person, everything was interesting for him. That's how I remember him - very warm, very welcoming person.

Last time I visited Baku was 2008. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to plan a tour so that you can reach as many cities as possible. Tour schedule is planned a year or two ahead.

The Syabry ensemble is a unique phenomenon. Today it's the only collective that hasn't collapsed, hasn't disbanded like many others in the post-Soviet space. For all these 45 years, the Syabry ensemble maintains very high level and represents the Republic of Belarus on all continents, countries and cities with dignity. It will always have huge popularity, audience loves it.

- One of the greates episodes of your career was cooperation with the Orera ensemble, which is very popular in the post-Soviet space. Why is this ensemble so popular?

- Perhaps the Orera ensemble's sincerity plays an important role. This ensemble was created at the Georgian State Philharmonic, and musicians who wanted to understand how polyphony can be achieved came to listen to it. I remember how Vladimir Georgievich Mulavin from the legendary Pesnyarov ensemble came to Tbilisi for Orera's rehearsal, listened, found several things very interesting. Orera is a unique phenomenon in music. They have Vakhtang Konstantinovich [Kikabidze] and Nani Georgievna [Bregvadze]. This is a huge part of culture of the entire post-Soviet past.

- Can you name some famous VIA (Vocal-[Music] Instrumental-Ensembles) that you maintain creative contacts with?

- Almost all of them. "Samotsvety" under direction of Yuri Fedorovich Malikov, “Leysya, Pesnya", “Zemlyane”, “Krasniye Maki”. Many projects involve participation of legendary collectives. We often cooperate, we share opinions, try to recreate some projects, organize big events together with TV channels. We must remember those who created our pop culture. Today, young artists perform popular works that were created 20-40 years before their birth.

- You were initiator of the first hit parade of the legendary VIA's from all over the former USSR. How was this idea received?

- Yes. The first concert was held in the Olympiyskiy stadium about 15 years ago. It's held annually not only in Moscow, but also in other capitals of the former Soviet republics - in Minsk, in Kiev. This hit parade is very popular and enjoys great success.

- Do you participate in the Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk?

- We participate in it every year. The Syabry ensemble is a regular participant. Last year, solo concert of the Syabry ensemble was held as part of the festival and as part of the Union State Days.