Oleg Gazmanov, a prominent singer renowned for his staunchly patriotic and pro-Kremlin stance, has been touring Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula in the country’s Far East. The high-profile trip, blending public appearances with visits to iconic natural landmarks, highlights a pattern of using cultural figures to promote domestic tourism and national pride in Russia’s strategic regions.
During his travels, Gazmanov made a stop at the world-famous Valley of Geysers within the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In a public statement, he praised the reserve’s staff, calling them “fighters on an invisible front” for their dedication to preserving the unique landscape and ensuring the safety of visitors. The reserve’s administration later expressed its gratitude for the singer’s warm words, acknowledging them as a high praise for their team’s work.
The singer’s visit to the geysers followed a free concert he performed at the “Elizovskaya Autumn” agricultural fair. The event drew local attention after Gazmanov sustained a minor finger injury during his performance, which led to a brief visit to a local hospital. The incident did not seem to hinder the veteran performer, who was later filmed performing an energetic dance on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
In a quirky moment that garnered media attention, Gazmanov also shared a message for the region’s famed brown bears, wishing them good health. The tour, mixing patriotic concerts with displays of appreciation for Russia’s natural beauty, serves as a soft power tool, reinforcing a state-sponsored narrative of national unity and vitality across the country’s vast expanse.