This year’s 43rd edition of the International Musical Festival “Martisor” will present 365 concerts, that is threefold more, compared with 2008. The Festival will unfold throughout Moldova from March 1 to 20, deputy minister of culture and tourism Ion Munteanu stated on Thursday, February 19, at a press conference, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Such a growth is not accidental at all, it corresponds to the growth of the importance of the festival, and to the people’s desire to extend the program of “Martisor” festival, the deputy minister said. “The artists will perform concerts both in villages and in towns. When selecting the repertoire, the artists’ popularity was taken into consideration,” Munteanu stated specifying that 25 concerts will be performed in Chisinau. 40 singers and 35 artistic collectives from Moldova will give performances: the ensembles Joc, Fluieras, Codreanca, orchestras Lautarii, Mugurel and 10 collectives of artistic educational institutions from Chisinau, Balti and Soroca. Nelly Ciobanu, Lidia Botezatu, Radu Dolgan, Natalia Gordienco, Ilian Garnet, Maria Tonina, Maria Iliut, sisters Osoianu, Gheorghe Topa, Iurie Sadovnic and others will be on the stage. 22 singers and 12 artistic bands are expected from 15 countries from abroad. Nicolay Baskov and Vladimir Vinokur from Russia, Taisia Povalii from Ukraine, Alexandr Tihanovici and Yadviga Poplavskaia from Belarus, “Sonecico” Band from Ukraine are among the guests. The National Philarmonic “Serghei Lunchevici” will perform symphonic concerts with the participation of national soloists, and soloists from abroad, among which Carol Vitez from Austria, Dana Borsan from Romania, Alexey Nabiulin from Russia, the bands “Acropolis” from Greece, “Radio Quartet” from Turkey and others. The concerts are free of charge. The concerts are free of charge in villages. The tickets vary between 50 and 400 lei for the concerts organized at the National Palace. 5 million lei will be spent on organizing the festival, of which 3.9 million lei – from the budget and the rest from donations. The festival cost 2 million lei in 2008. Asked by Info-Prim Neo's a reporter how he can explain doubling the budget for organizing the festival during the electoral campaign, deputy minister Ion Munteanu asked for not politicizing the subject. The official added that more money is needed as more shows are organized.