As part of the International Festival-Competition of the National Patriotic Song "Red Carnation", held in June in Sochi, the International Plenum of Songwriters from Eurasian Countries was held.
During the meeting, there were raised questions about the prospects for the development of song art and the creation of patriotic songs. The plenum was attended by composers from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Syria and Bulgaria.
Oleg Ivanov, People's Artist of the Russian Federation, composer, Chairman of the Jury of the Red Carnation Competition, Chairman of the Song Commission of the Union of Moscow Composers, became the Chairman of the Plenum. The plenum session was moderated by the Chairman of the Council of Composers and Musical Figures of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, composer, producer, Honoured Art Worker of the city of Moscow, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia, member of the Union of Composers of the Russian Federation, member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, member of the Board of the Guild of Composers of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, President of the Union of Composers of Eurasia Andrei Baturin.
The plenum unanimously adopted resolution and proposals to the heads of States to support professional composers, develop and preserve the composer's song school.
30 performers - winners of regional competitions - took part in the final stage of the International Festival-Competition of the National Patriotic Song "Red Carnation". The festival program was filled with competitive auditions, concerts, meetings with famous composers, musicians and performers. Arsalan Ivanov (Ust-Ordynsky village, Irkutsk region, Russia) won the Grand Prix of the festival in the nomination "Soloist" with the song "Let's Get Up". The winners of the 1st degree were: Dmitry Kravtsov (Smolensk, Russia) with the song "Birch Dreams", Alexandra Troshkova (Moscow, Russia) with the song "Rus" and Artem Orlov (Moscow, Russia) with the song "In the sight of God." The festival ended on the Day of Russia, June 12, with a solemn gala concert.
- We are happy that this year the patriotic song festival has returned to its roots: to our city, where its glorious history began. And now residents and guests of the resort can again hear the music that evokes the strongest patriotic feelings, fill them with faith in our people and a bright future, - emphasized Marianna Ustinova, head of the Department of Culture of the Sochi City Administration.
For reference
The first international song festival "Red Carnation" was held in Sochi in 1967. Then 17 singers from 9 countries took part in it. For many years the composer Alexandra Pakhmutova headed the jury of the competition. Over the years, the winners of the festival were: Biser Kirov, Marylya Rodovich, Zaur Tutov, Tamara Gverdtsiteli, Zhanna Rozhdestvenskaya and other famous singers. Since 1990, there has been a break in the festival movement. In 2015, at the initiative of the Union of Composers of Russia and the Russian Music Propaganda Foundation, the festival was revived. People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation Iosif Kobzon became its president, and since 2018 the festival has been named after him.
Since 2015, the festival has been annually held in different cities of Russia. Qualifying rounds are held in-person and online. During this time, representatives of many countries have become participants in the festival.