Craftsmen of Northern Caucasus to present their work at Crafts Fair in Italy

North Ossetia is finalizing preparations for the 75th International Crafts Fair in Florence, Italy, which will be held from April 30 to May 8 with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture within the year "Italy-Russia-2011". Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria are also getting ready to take part in the Fair.

Traditionally, the fair is held in the historic centre of Florence, in the territory of the exhibition centre Fortezza da Basso; and for the first time handicraft products from Northern Caucasus will be presented here - in the area of 120 square meters the craftsmen's works from North Ossetia-Alania, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria will be presented.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has learnt that the exhibition will allow acquainting the European audience with the original art of Caucasian masters and the rich artistic traditions of the nations. It is planned to exhibit national costumes made by craftswomen of North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria, wood carving and inlay, bronze casting and forging, traditional ceramic articles from Dagestan and the author's ceramics from South Ossetia; as well as carpets and jewellery pieces from Dagestan.

The press service of the government of North Ossetia told that the official opening of the fair on April 30 will be preceded by a memorial ceremony to be held in the heart of Florence in the square, named in memory of the tragic events in 2004 as "Square of Boys and Girls of Beslan".

"Nikolai Khlystov, head of the delegation, will say the words of gratitude to the Mayor of Florence and the entire Italian people. The action will be continued by the performance of singers from the Academy of the Mariinsky Theatre of St Petersburg, who will perform the "Requiem" by the Ossetian composer Atsamaz Makoev. The culminating event will be release into the sky of 335 white balloons, as it happens every year in Beslan in memory of the victims of the tragedy," said the spokesman from the republic's government.

The Ministry of Culture and Mass Communications of North Ossetia has reminded that already for the fourth consecutive year Italian painters and sculptors take part in the international arts symposium "Alanika" in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania.

"In the context of the Year of Russian Culture and Russian Language in Italy and the Year of Italian Culture and Italian Language in Russia, in addition to this fair in Florence, Vladikavkaz will host the International Music Festival 'Guests of Larissa Gergieva'. It is also planned to hold Days of Italy, including participation of the famous Italian conductor Fabio Mastrangelo in Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'La Traviata' at the stage of the North-Ossetian State Opera and Ballet Theatre," said Zalina Abaeva, head of the press service of the ministry.

For the teachers and artists of the North-Ossetian State Opera and Ballet Theatre, and students of the V. Gergiev Vladikavkaz College of Arts, master-classes in the style of execution of Italian classical opera music will be held.

From August 15 to September 15, the capital of North Ossetian will host the 5th International Art Symposium "Alanika-2011" with participation of Italian artists, which will also include a week of contemporary Italian arts.