Russian culture festival put off in Tajikistan

A Russian culture festival on Tajik territory has been put off because of a local typhoid-fever outbreak, RIA Novosti learned at the Russian Embassy to Dushanbe today.

According to Embassy officials, this decision was, among other things, motivated by a seasonal typhoid-fever outbreak in Dushanbe. Local hospitals have already received more than 750 people suspected of having typhoid fever; one person is reported dead.

According to experts, the current typhoid-fever outbreak in the Tajik capital was caused by substandard drinking water. Recent rains and failure to abide by elementary hygiene requirements mostly served to aggravate drinking-water quality.

The Russian delegation, which was to be headed by Deputy Culture Minister Denis Molchanov, comprised more than 50 people, i.e. Bolshoi Theater performers, the Russkiye Sezony (Russian Seasons) dance ensemble, the Premyer Ministr pop-music group, several folk-art groups, theater and movie actors, as well as leading Russian film directors.