September 9, 2005 - The Fifth International Festival of Folk Arts from CIS and Baltic States "Sodruzhestvo" (Commonwealth) will be held in Rostov Oblast and Taganrog, September 7-11, 2005.
The organizers are: The Federal Agency on Culture and Cinematography of Russian Federation; Commission on UNESCO Affairs of Russia, State Russian House of Folk Arts, The Russian Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO,
Rostov Oblast Government, Rostov Regional House of Folk Arts, Taganrog Local Government.
The "Commonwealth" International Festival is aimed at popularization and development of national creativity and original culture of nations living in Russia and in its neighboring countries, promoting and strengthening artistic contacts, friendship and mutual understanding between the Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic States; improvement of the performance technique; exchange of experience in study and use of native forms and national arts and culture traditions in modern practice.
This year's fiesta is distinctive by the fact that in addition to the art groups from CIS and Baltic States, such as Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova, groups from China, Thailand, India and the United States will be taking part. The festival kicked off with the grand opening on September 8 at the Taganrog City House of Culture.
September 9, 2005 - concerts will be held in the cities of Azov; Shakhty; Bataysk; Aksai, Neklinovsk, Miasnikovsky, Kuybyshev and Rodionovo-Nesvetaisk districts of Rostov Oblast.
September 10, 2005 - the exhibition and trade fair "The Handmade Poetry of Folk Masters". The foreign guests will take part in the carnival procession and in the fair of national cultures dedicated to the Day of Taganrog.
Gala Concert with participation of artists from China, India, Thailand and the U.S., dedicated to the Bicentennial of Novocherkassk will be held on the Yermak Plaza in the city of Novocherkassk on the same day at 8:00PM.
September 11, 2005 - "Day of the City" celebrations involving festival participants will be held in Taganrog. The festival's closing ceremony and gala dedicated to 307 years of Taganrog will be held at 7:00 PM on the Pushkin Quay.
