A famous Russian singer Evgeniya Otradnaya has been living in Kyrgyzstan for the fourth month. She came to the country with her children and husband. Otradnaya is known to many people for her song «Go away and close the door» (2007).
In an interview with 24.kg news agency, Evgeniya told what she was doing in Kyrgyzstan, about her impressions and new acquaintances.
— When did you first come to Kyrgyzstan? What did you feel?
-I first visited the country as a child. It was in the early 1990s. My uncle served as a pilot somewhere near Bishkek, and my mother, my little brother and I came to visit him in the summer. I remember swimming in a cool river and a large bowl of yellow cherries. I was born and raised in the Northern Urals, in Krasnoturinsk town, so the nature of Central Asia, the views of mountains, the taste of vegetables and fruits were new vivid impressions for me that I will remember for a lifetime.
I also remember the incomparable heat when we walked around the apartment, wrapped in wet bedsheets. Now I’m apprehensively waiting for the onset of heat — I wonder how I will feel at 40 degrees.
Evgeniya Otradnaya
When I became a famous singer, I came to Kyrgyzstan on tour. I performed in Issyk-Kul region, admired the lake and mountains.
— We came at the beginning of March 2022. We are connected with Kyrgyzstan by friendship with the family of a film director Aibek Daiyrbekov. I was lucky to take part in the dubbing of his musical film «Darak Yry» into Russian. The main character Begimai speaks in my voice. All the sound for the film was made by my husband Evgeny Goryainov. He is a renowned sound designer of feature and documentary films. He and Aibek are working on the next film now.
I really liked the songs in the musical film, I sang one of them in Russian, it’s called «The Falcon and the Dove». The video clip can be watched on my YouTube channel. It contains the most eye-catching moments of the film.
— How long are you going to stay in the country?
— We decided to stay for a year, and then we’ll see. My husband already gives lectures at the House of Cinema and is cooperating with Internews international organization.
I plan to teach the history of art and the history of cinema at the Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts named after Bubusara Beishenalieva at the invitation of Asel Turdalieva, who is the dean of the nonresident training department.
— What places in Kyrgyzstan have you already visited? What do you remember the most?
— I am touring with Syezdbek Iskenaliev and participating in concerts dedicated to the 20th anniversary of his work. We have been to his small motherland in Kochkor and Naryn. New concerts in other cities are planned for the summer. We are performing as a big group, Syezdbek invited many friends. I met Asel Turdalieva, Gulnur Satylganova, Zamir Arykbaev, Akbar Suyunbaev, Ilyas Andash, Nurlan Aldayarov.
I am very glad that I got into such a star group. I was pleasantly surprised that all these eminent artists are easy to communicate with, good-natured and hospitable. It is a great pleasure for me to communicate and work with them.
— Local traditions and customs never cease to amaze me. Local people take the reception of guests very seriously, especially the first meeting. When my husband, children and I came to the house of Syezdbek Iskenaliev to work on our joint song, entering the living room, we saw a huge table that was full of all kinds of dishes and drinks.
We did not expect this at all, we were shocked that we were like ambassadors, but it turned out that this is a tradition here.
Evgeniya Otradnaya
A funny incident happened on tour, when we, all the artists, were met by the relatives of Syezdbek. We drove along a beautiful road past mountains and lakes the whole day long, visited a salt mine, and got rather tired from the trip. When we arrived, everyone talked and proposed toasts at the table during the meal. Everyone spoke, of course, in Kyrgyz, and I did not understand what they were talking about. Suddenly, the owner of the house said: «Now, Zhenya, say a toast.» I must have had a very funny expression on my face, because everyone laughed when they looked at me. I did not know what the other toasts were about before me, but I was not at a loss and wished Syezdbek many years of successful work.
— What are your plans for the future?
— I plan to combine teaching at the university with my musical career, so invite me to your events.
