I. Metshin "Aksenov Fest" is a brand that we must protect and promote"

(KZN.RU, December 18, by Taisiya Basharkina) Yesterday, Mayor Ilsur Metshin met with the participants of the literary and music festival "Aksenov Fest 2013", which is taking place these days in Kazan.

An informal meeting was held in Vasily Pavlovich Aksenov's house museum. Festival Trustees and some of the leading Russian writers met at the tea table. Editor-in-Chief of the "Oktyabr" magazine, Irina Barmetova, thanked the Mayor for organizing the festival. "This year we arrived close to Catholic Christmas, and this creates an even more festive atmosphere. Given that the coming year has been declared the Year of Culture, we would like to see our festival keep growing and gaining strength," she added.

Restoring the "Star Ticket" Kazan award was also spoken about. According to the head of the city, search for young talent should be expanded, and candidates for the award should be found not only in Kazan, but throughout Russia and beyond.

"It's good that Vasily Pavlovich's house is alive and well, and, as bequeathed by the writer himself, this is no "mothballs museum". We're keeping not only his memory but also his cause alive. The young come to this bustling place, and during the year, there are numerous literary events held here," said the Mayor.

In conclusion, Ilsur Metshin stressed that Kazan should promote such cultural events as "Aksenov Fest." "It is gratifying that the festival is one of the activities that the capital of Tatarstan can be proud of. "Aksenov Fest" is a brand that we should not only protect, but also develop," concluded the Mayor.