Two new commemorative plaques were unveiled at the Walk of Fame dedicated to winners of the Belarus president’s special award Through Art to Peace and Understanding at the Summer Amphitheater in Vitebsk on 16 July, BelTA learned.
Two prominent cultural figures were given the president’s special award at the 35th Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. One of the winners is Aleksandr Zatsepin, Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, People’s Artist of Russia. The prominent composer marked his 100th birthday this year. He earned nationwide recognition for the music he wrote for a number of iconic Soviet films, including Leonid Gaidai’s comedies Operation Y and Other Shurik’s Adventures, Kidnapping, Caucasian Style, The Diamond Arm and Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future, as well as the animated feature The Mystery of the Third Planet.
The second winner is Belarusian composer and People’s Artist of Belarus Leonid Zakhlevny, who wrote the anthem of the International Arts Festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk.
The laureates shared their emotions after receiving the award. “I am very pleased to receive this award today. Before the ceremony, I was thinking about how wonderful it would feel to be honored in this way. I have visited Belarus many times, especially Minsk. I was also in your beautiful, clean city two years ago for the festival. It was a great pleasure to hear your applause during my concert. I felt truly happy and deeply satisfied. Many thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to receive this award,” Aleksandr Zatsepin said.
Leonid Zakhlevny admitted that he had not expected the song dedicated to the Vitebsk festival to become so successful.“My song has had a fortunate destiny, as have many of my other works. The song was written easily, sincerely and with inspiration. I always try to write in one breath – it usually takes me about 10 to 15 minutes, and that’s enough to create a song,” the composer said, adding that the festival anthem had brought him widespread recognition. “The music closest to my heart is the music dedicated to our Belarusian land.”
He stressed that receiving the award was a great honor. “This star also belongs, in part, to my teachers, who taught me not only how to write music but also how to love the Belarusian land, where talented, singing people live and work with all their heart. I believe I will continue writing sincerely and with inspiration, glorifying our beloved Belarus,” he said, expressing his gratitude for the high honor.
