Kustendorf Classic festival opens with focus on culture and mentorship

The 13th Kustendorf Classic international festival has opened, running from August 27 to August 29. During the opening ceremony, Emir Kusturica emphasized that Russian culture is an integral part of Europe and cannot be cancelled.

Mikhail Golikov, the chief conductor of the Leningrad Region State Symphony Orchestra, is serving as part of a three-member jury for the “Golden Matryoshka” award. Golikov highlighted the importance of mentorship for young artists and noted that when evaluating performers, technical issues are secondary to the soul and essence of the music.

Kusturica also addressed the future of art, questioning the role of music in a world that may be heading toward the dystopian futures described by authors such as Orwell, Huxley, and Zamyatin.