Slavonic Bazaar festival director resigns

The irreplaceable director of the international music festival, Rodion Bass, has handed in his resignation letter.

The chief accountant at Vitebsk cultural centre, headed by Bass, has also gave a notice of resignation. It is possible that other people may resign, Regnum news agency reports.

According to unofficial information, Rodion Bass made this step because Alyaksandr Sidarenka, the deputy head of the cultural department at the Vitebsk region executive department, was appointed Bass's assistant instead of Volha Salnikava (Bass's wife). Moreover, he faced criticism from the authorities regarding the form and the level Slavonic Bazaar festival and inviting too many Russian pop stars.

Bass decided to resign after the deputy chairman of the Belarusian government  held a meeting of the organising committee on preparation for the 22th festival and discussed the fest programme on February 22. The festival is due to take place on 11-17 July, 2013. The head of the organising committee on preparation for the event is Anatoly Tozik. Gala concerts on the opening and closing nights, concerts by artists of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, the international pop song contest Vitebsk 2013, the international children’s music contest, the Youth Day, theater and movie projects, and individual artistic actions are expected to be held during the festival.