Saratovneftegaz sponsored the folk song contest in the name of L.A. Ruslanova

Authoritative musical contest, named after Lidiya Andreyevna Ruslanova, Russian singer, a legendary native of Saratov has been conducted in Saratov since 1993 under Ministry of Culture RF, State Russian House of Folk Arts in cooperation with Ministry of Culture of Saratov region and Saratov region Center of Folk Arts. This time 98 singers from 30 regions of Russia took part in the contest. The general number of participants and guests exceeded 250 people.
The jury of the contest involved well-known representatives of art and culture. Among them are famous Russian People’s artists Vasily Ovsyannikov, Nadezhda Krygina, Valery Kalistratov, Elena Sapogova; Russian Honored artists Pyotr Sorokin, Chief choirmaster of the State Russian House of Folk Arts, Professor at Moscow State University of Culture and Arts; Professor Lyudmila Terentyeva, Russian Honored artist, Head of National Choral Art Department at Samara State Academy of Culture and Arts. The jury was headed by Anna Litvinenko, professor at Choral and Solo Folk Singing Department at Gnesins Russian Academy of Music, Russian People’s artist.
Lidiya Ruslanova spent her childhood in Saratov and started signing very early. Due to that fact the founders of the festival decided to make young singers the play the leading part in the contest. Authentic but not culture modified signing became the major condition of the contest. This year the participants of the contest were divided into 4 age categories: Category Children – age 10-13, Category Juniors – age 14-17, Category Young people – age 18-23, the fourth group included people older than 23 years.
Alongside with the contest audition the event’s programme involved a series of concerts which witnessed participation of both performing groups from Saratov region and the participants from the other regions of the country. Master classes by famous teachers and singers were performed to them.
VII Russian Contest of Folk Songs Singers in the name of L. A. Ruslanova was finished on the 26 October in Saratov Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre with the gala concert of the participants and diploma owners of the contest of arts and with the solemn award ceremony of the winners as well. Tagir Latypov, CEO of Saratovneftegaz was awarded with the silver medal from the Musical Art Development Fond in the name of P. I. Chaykovsky for the support of Russian folk arts. It proved once again the company’s adherence to the social responsibility. OAO Saratovneftegaz is among the major donators of the region. This year the company has been awarded in nomination Region’s Social Problems Solution and Development of Corporate Charity.
OAO NK RussNeft and its subsidiary OAO Saratovneftegaz have been performing systematic charity activity in the regions where they operate. Sufficient help was offered to the objects of social sphere, which traditionally suffers from the shortage of budget allocations, among them are hospitals, sports clubs, culture houses, educational institutions. Large sums of money are targeted towards refurbishment and restoration of schools, kindergartens, parks, construction of children’s playgrounds, art festivals organizations, sports competitions and children’s summer camps. Sufficient aid is also offered to the Russian Orthodox Church and is directed at restoration and reconstruction of the churches.
All in all the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates will offer, in accordance with the Agreement of cooperation between the Government of Saratov region and OAO NK RussNeft, around 20 mln Rub. for social and economic programmes, charity and sponsor projects realization on the territory of the region.