The final concert of the 1st International Festival "Kazan – Musical Capital of the Islamic World" took place at the Center for Unique Craftsmanship (TSUM).

Rustem Abyazov, the artistic director of the festival and the Kazan Chamber Orchestra "La Primavera," titled the concert program "A Return to the Roots." It featured works by Yakhin, Kamal, Khabibullin, Akhiyarova, Saidashev, Askhadullin, and Abyazov.

Festival guests had the opportunity to hear the sounds of traditional folk instruments—such as the kylkubyz, kurai, takta-kubyz, and dumbra—performed by artists from the "Alpar" ensemble.

Classical musicians also took part in the concert, many of whom had only recently begun playing ethnic instruments. They admitted that performing on these instruments presents certain challenges, yet the audience received every performance with great enthusiasm.

On stage, the craftsmen presented a pristine white kylkubyz to musician, conductor, and Chairman of the Union of Composers of the Republic of Tatarstan, Ilyas Kamal, thanking him for his efforts in reviving these traditions.

"My father has been working with wood for over 30 years, and we began crafting musical instruments in 2020—following my own growing interest in throat singing and music," shared craftsman Fanil Vildanov. "After meeting other musicians, we realized there was a significant demand for ethnic instruments. We decided to revive them and strive to make them accessible. We also introduce these instruments to schoolchildren; fortunately, here at the Center for Unique Craftsmanship, with state support, we have two dedicated spaces: a workshop and a lecture hall." "I am very pleased with the new festival. Everything we envisioned came to fruition. It was a large-scale event—in terms of the density of its schedule, the diversity of its program and formats, and its logistics, as we performed across various venues," shared Rustem Abyazov.

As a reminder, the first international festival, "Kazan – Musical Capital of the Islamic World," took place in the capital of Tatarstan from August 26 to September 6. Musicians held concerts at the Kazan Kremlin, the S. Saidashev State Grand Concert Hall, and the TSUM department store. The festival was supported by the Foundation for the Promotion of Strategic Dialogue and Partnership.

Photo by German Logvinov