MOSCOW, August 3 People's Artist of Russia, jazz musician Igor Butman said in an interview that he plans to revive the famous jazz festival in Donetsk when life in the region returns to normal.
«I remember our performances with such admiration. I think that it is simply necessary to revive this festival, which was the most famous in the USSR. This will definitely happen when life there returns to normal,» the musician said. 
According to Butman, he performed at a festival in Donetsk in 2000, when he had just assembled his orchestra. At that time, this event brought together the best domestic jazz performers. «It was not international, but all the stars of domestic jazz performed there, and our former compatriots also came from abroad, including Alexey Zubov,» the artist explained.
The musician also said that he had planned a trip to Donbass, but so far he has managed to visit Russian soldiers in Crimea and also visit them in hospitals. 
«»We performed for the military in Crimea. There is an airport where our pilots fly from, and we also performed at the Officers' House. Instead of going to Donetsk, we went there. I also spoke at rehabilitation centers and hospitals for soldiers of a special military operation.» , Butman added.
The first jazz festival «Donetsk-100» was held in Donetsk in 1969. The name was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city. The festival took place annually and had a huge impact on the cultural life of Donetsk.
Read the full text of the interview with Igor Butman>>