YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. USSR People's Artist Iosif Kobzon's solo concert dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the singer took place on May 1 at the Alexander Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater. As I. Kobzon stated at the meeting with journalists, he will go on jubillee councert tours to former Soviet countries till the end of the year. In I. Kobzon's words, his art has always been appreciated by the Armenian people, especially, by the high-ranking officials and the present President of the RA. That's why, in I. Kobzon's words, he never miss the possibility of performing concerts in Armenia. "I am tied with Armenia with the whole soul. It is a great honour for me to perform concerts in Yerevan and to sing on the stage where famous people like Aram Khachaturian, Arno Babajanian, Alexander Hekimian, Davit Tukhmanov, once performed," I. Kobzon mentioned. In his words, old and new songs will be performed during the jubilee concert. In Kobzon's words, he is glad to mark May 1, the International Day of Workers' Solidarity, in Yerevan. The USSR People's Artist mentioned that he observes all the events taking place in Armenia which do not always make him happy. However, in I. Kobzon's words, Armenians are a special nation and are able to overcome all difficulties. "Today Armenia live a proper life. I am sure that the RA President's wish to hold democratic parliamentary elections will also become reality," the artist emphasized. And responding the question, which party or individual he will assist, I. Kobzon said: "I have no right to estimate the political state of another country or to say who I assist. I shall only say that I sympathize with the President of Armenia. Touching upon the Armenian-Russian relations, the singer mentioned that Armenia has never betrayed Russia. He is sure that the good-neighborly relations will continue in future as well, what first of all depends on the younger generation. I. Kobzon mentioned with pain that the youth of Russia gradually perishes as it is carried away by narcotics, spirits, and it is necessary to immediately take steps in direction of keeping the youth back from that evil.

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