Golden cornflower for a legendary singer. A star named after Yuri Antonov has appeared on the Alley of Stars in Vitebsk
The performer of the famous song "Dreams Come True", a legend of Soviet and modern Russian stage, Yuri Antonov, has acquired a permanent residence at the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". His name is immortalized on the Alley of Laureates of the Special Prize of the President of Belarus "Through Art – to Peace and Understanding" near the main festival venue – the Summer Amphitheatre.
It is symbolic that the singer and composer received the award in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory; he is its contemporary – born two and a half months before the red flag was raised over the Reichstag. Songs about the war are prominent in his repertoire, particularly "Poppies" and "Bullfinches," which he dedicates, among others, to his father, a front-line soldier. The theme of memory is sacred to the singer.
Furthermore, Yuri Antonov is closely connected with Belarus. He graduated from a music school in Molodechno, then a music college, and organized his first musical group (a pop orchestra) which played in the local House of Culture. He then taught at a children's music school in Minsk and worked as a solo instrumentalist at the Belarusian State Philharmonic. He considers People's Artist of the BSSR Viktor Vuyachich his musical mentor, who noticed the young artist and helped him advance in show business. He invited him to join his ensemble. At one time, Vladimir Muliavin played guitar in the same group as Yuri Antonov. The singer considers Belarus his second homeland, and in terms of his creative career, his first. For his significant personal contribution to strengthening cultural ties between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, the singer was awarded the Order of Francis Skaryna.
Today, Yuri Antonov is called a classic of the pop genre. His record of 50 million records remains unsurpassed. The songs he wrote 20–30 years ago are still popular today. Young people happily hum his "Don't Forget," "There's No One More Beautiful Than You," "I Gaze at You as in a Mirror," "With a Flying Gait," "Don't Say Goodbye to Me," "Believe in a Dream."
By the way, one of the stars in the constellation Pisces has been named "Yuri Antonov." And now he also has a cornflower star.
The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, Ruslan Chernetsky, noted the artist's outstanding contribution to the development of culture and to the strong friendship between peoples.
– Yuri Antonov is a living legend; his works have been broadcasting high ideals and genuine values for over half a century; they have educated more than one generation of listeners, – emphasized Ruslan Chernetsky.
And he added that the star laid is a symbol of the Belarusian people's recognition of the singer and composer's talent.
– The residents of the city, standing on the high bank of the Western Dvina River, repeating the words of your song, believe in a dream that comes true, – said the Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Alexey Geroev.
At the ceremony of unveiling his cornflower star, Yuri Antonov's songs were performed, including those he sang in 1992 at the first "Slavianski Bazaar." Yuri Antonov said that he remembers that first appearance on the festival stage, which became like home to him. And now his cornflower star shines near it.