Ilsur Metshin: “Vasily Aksenov told me - no naphthalene needed”

(KZN.RU, August 22). The XI Literary and Music Festival “Aksenov-fest” in Kazan, timed to the 85th birthday of Vasily Aksenov, is coming to an end. Friends of the writer, literary figures, made the capital of Tatarstan a gift in honor of his anniversary: stylized wrought-iron chairs called “Metropol” and “Younger brother” appeared in the Aksenov Square, as well as the armchair “Kva-kva”. Today Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan, Irina Barmetova, the editor-in-chief of the magazine “October”, Evgeny Popov, an Honored Worker of Culture of the RF, and Irina Aksenova, the project architect, opened a new art object in a solemn ceremony.

Evgeny Popov addressed the public with a welcoming speech first and explained why art objects are called this way. The “Metropol” chair is named after the eponymous almanac that Popov produced together with Aksenov. The chair “My younger brother”, the gift of Alexander Kabakov, got its name from the film, shot on the story of Aksenov's novel “Star Ticket”. And the armchair “Kva-kva” from Irina Barmetova is a tribute to one of the books of the writer, “Moskva-kva-kva”.

All three new art objects are located at the end of the alley of the Aksenov Square, opposite from the cinema “Mir”. Live statues were located next to each of them during the presentation. Artists supplemented the composition, symbolizing the images that were put into objects.

As I. Barmetova told, these art-objects are intended not only for memorable photos. “The campaign we are holding here is called “Read in the Garden”. Our goal is that this garden is not only filled with music and jazz but that there are secluded places where one could sit and read a book. This is what we would like the event to be filled with”, she said. I. Barmetova also noted that the “legendary” frog sits on the armrest of the chair given by her, which “brings love, prosperity, and success in all mythologies, and here, I believe that Moscow desires these benefits for Kazan”, she said.

Evgeny Popov expressed his admiration for the capital of Tatarstan and noted that the “Aksenov-fest” became a truly national holiday precisely thanks to the city. “I'm so happy how Kazan is changing before my eyes. Everything that was only invented then is already realized. Probably, it is how we should live in our country. I'm sick of everyone saying how to make it so that everything is fine for us but do not do anything for that. And they do it in Kazan!”, he said.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, thanked the writers for the present to the city. “Time runs incredibly fast and we already celebrate the 85th birth anniversary of our outstanding compatriot Vasily Aksenov, unfortunately, without him. We created the first festival, we held it together and I'm very glad that we realized the idea of the festival and how to conduct it together with his friends. I thank them for their gifts to the Aksenov Square”, said the Mayor.

The head of the city also noted that it was possible to preserve the spirit of the festival for the years of its holding. “Vasily Aksyonov told me – no naphthalene needed. It is necessary that there were more youth, more opportunities, and more drive at this festival. I am very glad that all this continues. Each “Aksenov-fest” opens new names. Those who were the first to receive the “Star Ticket”, for example, Denis Osokin, already glorify at many festivals not only Kazan and Tatarstan but also Russia”, he said. Ilsur Metshin did not forget about Guzel Yakhina as well, whose novel “Zuleikha opens her eyes” was translated into 30 languages. The Kazan author won the award in 2015.

In conclusion, the Mayor expressed his confidence and hope that each new festival will give new names, gather new and old friends. “Vasily Aksenov in my heart is a separate golden page, he was a great man of planetary scale. I am very happy and proud that Kazan is holding such a festival. We will do everything to ensure that his name lives in our grateful hearts and the memory of him in Kazan was eternal”, concluded the Mayor.

In addition to the presentation of art objects in the Aksenov Square, a concert was held, at which participants of the festival performed for residents and guests of Kazan.

After the solemn opening, Ilsur Metshin met with the participants of the “Aksenov-fest” in a restaurant at the Lyadskoy Garden in an informal atmosphere. The Mayor of Kazan thanked all those involved for the participation in the festival. “The “Aksenov-fest” is a remarkable event important not only for the cultural life of the capital of Tatarstan but for the whole Russia. I am very proud that the Aksenov’s festival takes a special place in the palette of all cultural events. Tatarstan people love it”, said the Mayor.

I. Barmetova noted that the “Aksenov-fest” is ready to develop further. She proposed to create a club of the “Star Ticket” holders. “The links between the winners already exist. The club will allow making them closer, allow the winners of the premium interacting with each other more”, said the coordinator. According to her, other kinds of arts along with literature and music should be represented in the “Aksenov Fest”, for example, theater and cinema.

Participants were able to exchange views on the future of the festival, shared various stories from life, related to Vasily Aksenov, during the informal communication.

The “Aksenov-fest” is held in the capital of Tatarstan from 19 to 23 of August. The opening of the literary collection “Russia is a plural number” took place as part of the event, various concerts and creative meetings were held. Winners of the “Star Ticket-2017” award were named on August 21 at the Kamal Theater.