Finalists of the "Donbass. Songs from the Frontline" contest performed at the RUSSIA EXPO

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The gala concert "Lest We Forget" featured the finalists of the interregional contest for authors and performers of military patriotic songs, "Donbass. Songs from the Frontline". The event was supported by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

Vitaly Shirshov, the author of the "Donbass. Songs from the Frontline" contest, spoke about the project and the selection process.

"We received about 1,500 applications from various regions of our country. Initially, the project was intended to focus only on the DPR and LPR, but due to widespread interest, participants from other regions also wanted to join. We even received an application from Israel and notably one from Kyiv. A person with the call sign 'Kolokol' sent a video clip supporting our fighters and wishing them victory," noted Vitaly Shirshov.

The artists performed songs about the Great Patriotic War and the events of 2014 in Donbass for the Exposition guests.

Musical pieces dedicated to the start of the special military operation were performed by the group "123 Regiment". Its members are former soloists of the Lugansk Philharmonic. At the beginning of the special military operation, they voluntarily went to defend their small homeland.

"Donbass. Songs from the Frontline" is an interregional contest for authors and performers of military and patriotic songs. It involves both professional and novice performers. The project is implemented with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

The International RUSSIA EXPO showcases the most important achievements of the country in one place. Throughout the Exposition, cultural events, a rich business and educational program await the guests. The expositions of 89 Russian regions, leading federal agencies, corporations and public organizations are presented to the visitors. More than 16 million people have already visited the Exposition. The International RUSSIA EXPO takes place on the territory of VDNH in Moscow from November 4 to July 8.