the Iconic concert venue “House of press”, which, along with the Yeltsin centre is one of the most iconic cultural institutions in Yekaterinburg – the hometown of Sverdlovsk rock club, in connection with the pandemic coronavirus was under threat of closure. It acted as the mastodons of the Russian and world stage – DDT, Lumen, Dolphin, Noize MC, Kasta, Bravo, Tricky, Everlast, Red Snapper, world-famous young rapper Lil Peep, who died in 2017, and young bands of different genres. There were held not only concerts but also other a variety of activities – film festivals in different countries, scientific “battle” Science Slam, piano evenings, which the soloist of the Philharmonic Vlad Chepinoga played Rachmaninoff and Radiohead. Now the landlords do not give the team the right to deferment and reduction of rent, under the law, ousting her from the building.
About how the site was in such a situation and what is happening today, was told by her producer Simon Galperin. The theme also joined the leader of group “CHajf” Vladimir Shahrin, who recorded a video message to the Plenipotentiary of the RF President in the Urals Federal district, which first exclusive published on the website of “MK”.
Simon, tell us more, what happened? Why “House of printing” do not give the right to vacation rentals?
– the Building where we rent the room, is a monument of constructivism, an ancient building of 1930-th year, where originally there was a printing house “Ural worker”, so the name “House of press” from being stored in the memory of the historical heritage. It is in Federal ownership, which are administered by the Agency for protection of monuments of history and culture – the AUIPIK. It, in turn, retake it out to the mediator – LLC “Tatlin”. Thus, we along with several other companies (cafes, restaurants, a butterfly Park, etc.) are already sub-lessees. For 7 years, since our team became involved in the club, we regularly paid the monthly rent. The Russian government is trying to help business, made changes to the legislation under which the company relating to economically affected sectors, including the field of culture and entertainment received the right to deferment and reduction of rent. Our landlord ignores this legislative decision and continues to demand from us the payment for April (payable in March and has previously been made). Moreover, if we had rented directly from the state – we would have a right to vacation rentals, but cannot obtain them due to the nuances of the law that do not distribute them to subtenants. I hope that these amendments will soon be made.
We kicked out the methods from the 90s, trying to capture our property. For example, the landlord does not give the company that was enough to lease the equipment to take him out, ostensibly on account of some debts that are not even in the month of April in fact covered by our interim payment. All this apparent lawlessness. Today, however, the platform came to seal, hold inventory, we barely managed to take out and save the refrigerators and other things. The closure of one of the main centers of culture, of course, would be a tragedy not only for us but for our guests and for those who have spoken here. This is a very big list of great artists, and not only stars, but also young, only rising popularity of the performers had the opportunity to play on our stage, we supported them. All the concerts were organized at our initiative, it’s a big job, challenging activities that we have managed to raise to a high level. “The printing house” became part of the cultural and touristic “showcase” of Yekaterinburg, along with other cultural institutions. Even the London newspaper “Guardian” wrote about us as the leading concert hall of the Ural capital, we also received the Moscow prize Night Live Awards as the best club of the city. The place is very atmospheric, it was noted by many. What is happening with him now terrifies me. Of course, we will defend it, to fight in the courts and to do everything possible so that the site survived. The musicians who played on it, support us and hopefully will help to draw the authorities ‘ attention to this disorder. We call and write letters to all possible instances – the AUIPIK, Governor of Sverdlovsk region Evgeny Kuyvashev, the mayor of Yekaterinburg Alexander Wysokinska, Plenipotentiary representative of RF President in the Urals Federal district Nikolai Tsukanov.
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Many artists have signed a petition in support of the “House of printing”, in addition, they together with the citizens taking part in the flash mob, posting photos and videos from concerts and parties held there, the tags c #of spacemonkey #of amylopectin #competitiive. Here’s what I wrote in the network of the leader of the group Lumen TEM Bulatov: “We’ve been here only once, but it was a wonderful evening. I am very glad that the PA program in honor of the twentieth anniversary of our team, we presented our Yekaterinburg listeners in this club. The atmosphere was great. We hoped one day to return to the scene with a similar statement. I hope this will happen!” Recorded by legendary rock figure Alexander Pantykin, who is called “grandfather Ural rock”, Sergei Bobunets (“Semantic hallucinations”), the representative of the younger generation – the Creator of the team of “Sansara” Alexander Gagarin. Words of encouragement written by Katya Pavlova (“Both”), one of today’s most popular pop-punk group “KIS-KIS”. Foreign artists such David brown (Brazzaville), is an American rapper Brennan savage, also spoke out in defense of the club. “MK” personally contacted the permanent steering group “Chaif” Vladimir Saharnym to comment on the situation:
– I have specially recorded a video message to Ambassador – Nikolai Nikolaevich Tsukanov with the request to pay attention to the letter written in his name from the “House of press”. I tried to explain how it is a unique institution, how important is it for the city, region and the whole Ural Federal district, asked him to understand this situation and help to find a reasonable solution that satisfies everybody. As the entire building is Federal property, I think he’s the only person who can accept and find a solution. Speaking about the platform, its value not only in that it is located in the heart of the city and the building in which it is located, is a monument of architecture, it is a very good club atmosphere, on the capacity. There always comfortable the musicians and the audience. It was organized by some of the most experienced professionals we have in the city that are engaged in the development of culture. It is indifferent people, people who really love music and have done not just a club, and a modern leisure centre. They are great lads and do a lot to support young groups which come from the region and from other cities, it’s always a pleasure to work with.
Watch the video message of Vladimir Shahrin.
