The International Festival of Classical Art "Caspian Seasons" opened with a solemn concert, which brought together outstanding representatives of the musical culture of the Caspian littoral countries on the Cathedral Square of the Astrakhan Kremlin.

Olga Lyubimova, the Minister of Culture of Russian Federation, sent a welcome video message to the participants of the event.

On the opening day, Igor Babushkin, the Governor of the Astrakhan region, also visited the festival site. According to him, the holding of the "Caspian Seasons" indicates that the countries of the Caspian Five live in peace and harmony.

Recall that in April of this year, Igor Babushkin visited Turkmenistan and other countries of the Caspian region within the framework of the "Caspian Sea – Sea of Friendship" motorcycle race. The motorcycle rally was aimed at strengthening good-neighborly relations and further development of multilateral cooperation. 

Cultural communication is one of the directions of long-term interaction. In light of this, the honor of opening the International Festival of Classical Art fell to the Symphony Orchestra of the Caspian littoral states. The orchestra consists of more than 60 professional musicians from Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Leyli Okdirova also performed to the music of the multinational collective.

In addition, the concert was attended by opera singer, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Ildar Abdrazakov, Iranian composer and musician Mehdi Hosseini, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, soloist of the Astana Opera Theater Nurlan Bekmukhambetov, soloist of the Mariinsky Theater Olga Pudova.

The International Festival of Classical Art "Caspian Seasons" will continue until September 6.

The event will include concerts dedicated to each participating country. So, from August 25 to 28, the Astrakhan Philharmonic will organize musical programs: "Azerbaijan Day", "Iran Day", "Kazakhstan Day" and "Turkmenistan Day".

It is expected that People's Artist of Turkmenistan Atageldy Garyagdyev, Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Vladimir Mkrtumov, as well as the chamber ensemble "Camerata Ashgabat" conducted by Bahram Dolyev will perform at the concert dedicated to our country.