Ilsur Metshin on the "Good Wave": "Good is spreading in waves from Kazan all over the country"

The gala concert of the Russian Cultural and Charity Festival of Children's Creativity “Good Wave” will take place at the Pyramid concert hall. Ninety-nine children, including 13 from Kazan, reached the final. The winners will perform on the same stage with Russian pop stars – Dima Bilan, Larisa Dolina, Igor Krutoy and others. On the eve of the gala concert, they took part at a press conference with the participation of the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin.

Welcoming the guests, the head of the city noted that this year the Good Wave celebrates its first five-years anniversary. Over the years, the festival has managed to expand its geography. In total, 7,500 children from all over the country took part in it, 1,500 of them in 2023. These are children in a difficult life situation, including those with disabilities.

“I want to thank all the parents, teachers and artists who have helped the festival during these years. It is very important that the Good Wave makes it possible to realize a dream. We are happy that the capital of Tatarstan is once again becoming the center of the event. It is wonderful that the good is spreading in waves from Kazan across the country. Good luck!”, – said Ilsur Metshin.

The Good Wave was founded in 2017 on the initiative of Ilsur Metshin and People's Artist of Russia, composer Igor Krutoy. I. Krutoy, in turn, expressed gratitude to the head of the city and the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov for the support.

“I fell in love with Kazan so much! The initiative that came from the Good Wave should turn into a movement so that there are people in every city who can help the guys. This means that our life has not been lived in vain,”- the People's Artist of Russia said.

According to Stella Khachanyants, Director General of the Igor Krutoy’s Academy, this year the qualifying rounds were held in eight cities: Kazan, Yaroslavl, Moscow, Krasnodar, Kemerovo, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Sevastopol. Ninety-nine finalists arrived in the capital of the republic of Tatarstan to participate in creative evenings and master classes.

Creative activities give a great charge for the future of children, according to People's Artist of Russia Larisa Dolina.

“It's an amazing event, I'm happy when the children are on stage. Even if you don't become a professional, your small but important achievements in life will be very useful. I wish this festival to live forever, so that our generation will stand on a par with today's stars,”- she said.

The Good Wave allows not only to realize dreams, but also to get in touch with unique people, TV presenter Vadim Takmenyov shared. He wished the festival to cover all regions, and Kazan traditionally remained its center.

 “I am very happy with the fact that we are participating in the fate of new people who will live an incredible life full of secrets and fairy tales, ups and downs,”- continued Honored Artist of Russia Dima Bilan.

During the year, the dreams of many children have already been fulfilled. Today's meeting was no exception: one of the finalists, 9–year-old Grisha from Sevastopol, came to the City Hall. He dreamed of meeting Dima Bilan and, together with his brother Vova, was finally able to meet and take pictures with him.