On June 2nd, the summer programme of the XII International Platonov Arts Festival was opened.
The first event of the exhibition programme that opened the festival was Evgeny Kravtsov's project "Corrosion", consonant with the spirit of Andrey Platonov and his work. This is a personal exhibition of the Moscow artist and teacher, the result of his five-year work, which at the moment crowns all the work of the artist.
"I want to thank the directorate of the Platonov Arts Festival, the Exhibition Hall, Voronezh city itself for this opportunity to show the Corrosion album at such a large cultural forum," said Evgeny Kravtsov at the opening of the exhibition. "Corrosion" is a lot of work. It began as a series of works, as a kind of reflection on a bygone era, the Soviet one, in which I was born and also grew up. These works show my personal history, my personal attitude towards the bygone era. "
In the Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists, the Head of the Department of Culture Maria Mazur also delivered a welcoming message from the Governor of the Voronezh Region Alexander Gusev: "I congratulate everyone on the opening of the brightest cultural season in the Voronezh Region! Our annual arts forum has always a rich and interesting programme, include unique creative figures and collectives, enthusiastic and grateful audience. From year to year, the festival sparkles with new facets, never ceasing to delight us with human talent and aesthetic aura. <...> Thanks to the participants and organiыers of the forum for a powerful stimulus for the work of the mind and soul. You give us an incredible feast. Let the days of the Platonov Arts Festival be filled with exceptionally positive emotions and impressions for everyone. "
The performance of the Turkish dancer Ziya Azazi in the Alye Parusa park became another important event of the first day of the festival. For many years the artist has been practicing whirling, one of the main dances of Sufism, interpreting it through various choreographic practices. The direction he created was called Dervish In Progress. During his 30-year artistic career, he has implemented many projects and collaborations and has presented his projects in 50 countries around the world.
Ziya Azazi performed in Russia for the first time. In Voronezh, he presented his productions of "Dervish In Progress" and "Ember". "I am glad that I was invited with these particular pieces," said Ziya Azazi. – The combination of these works is ideal for the opening of the festival. The first, "Dervish In Progress", reflects the philosophy of Sufism to a greater extent, while showing my author's interpretation of the tradition at the same time. The second, "Ember", is more spectacular one and generally more like a pure show. It is in tandem that these works can show the Voronezh audience who Ziya Azazi is, what he can show and offer as an artist."