100 years since the birth of Viktor Astafyev celebrated at the RUSSIA EXPO
The International RUSSIA EXPO held a series of events to
mark the centenary of the birth of Viktor Astafyev, Russian writer, master of
rural and military prose. The program of events included lectures,
masterclasses, film screenings and meetings with people who knew the author
personally.
Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the RUSSIA EXPO,
took part in the "Astafyev Readings" and read an excerpt from the
story "Tsar-fish" ("Queen Fish").
"But not in vain it is said: woman is a creature of
God, the judgment and punishment for her special. You can't get to him, to God,
without prayer. So, take the deserved punishment, and if you once wanted to
prove that you are a man, then stay a man! Don't sulk, don't sniffle, don't
make up your own prayers, and don't deceive yourself and people by pretenses.
Do you expect forgiveness, mercy? From whom? Nature, brother, is also female!
So, to each his own, and to God his own! Free the woman from yourself and from
eternal guilt, take all the torments in full for yourself and for those who at
this moment, under this sky, on this earth, are torturing the woman, doing evil
things to her," read Natalia Virtuozova.
Merited Artist of Russia Boris Galkin became a participant
of "Astafyev Readings". He told about his communication with Viktor
Astafyev and the performance "Cheerful Soldier" in the Moscow
Gubernsky Theater, where he plays the author of the story.
"I was lucky enough to know Viktor Petrovich
personally, I met with him twice — in Krasnoyarsk, and in his small homeland,
in the village of Ovsyanka. And today at the Moscow Gubernsky Theater I play
Astafyev. This is Viktor Petrovich's story "Cheerful Soldier", Boris
Galkin added.
In addition, writer Valery Ivanov-Tagansky and singer Galina
Uletova performed before the guests of the Exposition as part of the
"Astafyev Readings". They also read excerpts from Viktor Astafyev's
works and shared their memories related to him.
The first event dedicated to Viktor Astafyev at the
Exposition was a meeting with the famous cameraman, publicist, photographer
Anatoly Zabolotsky — he personally knew Viktor Astafyev and told the guests of
the Exposition about the writer's life and his works. His presentation was
followed by a lecture devoted to the author's work and his place in literature.
In addition, there was a screening of the documentary "Viktor Astafyev.
Cheerful Soldier". In it the writer tells about the Great Patriotic War,
which he went through as a soldier. The recording was made two years before his
death.
Afterwards, the visitors had a masterclass on weaving toys
from straw: this is a traditional craft of the Krasnoyarsk region — the
homeland of Viktor Astafyev.
From 26 to 30 October, the National Centre RUSSIA will suspend its regular operations. It will be closed to visitors, and scheduled events will not be held during this period.
