EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Representatives of 41 countries took part in the 27th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. From 9 to 18 July, more than 150 events were organized at 22 venues across the city.
The gala concert of the official opening traditionally took place at the major concert venue of the festival, the Summer Amphitheatre, which celebrated its 30th anniversary. In his welcoming speech, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Slavianski Bazaar always enjoys a unique atmosphere of international friendship that exists beyond state borders, political and religious views and beliefs. The Vitebsk festival serves the noblest purposes. The special president’s award Through Art to Peace and Mutual Understanding was presented by Aleksandr Lukashenko to Kazakhstan’s People’s Artist Roza Rymbayeva.
The Day of the Union State of Belarus and Russia was held for the 15th time. The laureates of the Union State award in literature and art for 2017-2018 were Russia’s People’s Artist, composer Oleg Ivanov, the creative team consisting of Russia’s People’s Artist, conductor Valery Polyansky, and Russia’s Honored Cultural Worker Aleksandr Shanin, as well as People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, ballet master Valentin Yelizaryev.
Performers from 21 countries took part in the 27th International Pop Song Performers Contest Vitebsk 2018, with artists from Guinea and Egypt performing for the first time. Chairman of the international jury was composer and People’s Artist of Russia, Moldova, and Ukraine, singer-songwriter Aleksandr Morozov. The contest program included a semifinal and a final, and the Grand Prix was awarded to a performer from Romania. The special Vladimir Mulyavin Award For the Best Embodiment of a National Theme and High Performance Mastery went to a representative of Cuba.
Young performers from 20 countries took part in the 16th International Children’s Music Contest Vitebsk. For the first time, performers from the United Kingdom and Canada demonstrated their vocal skills. The Grand Prix was awarded to a representative of Ukraine.
Outstanding artists celebrated their anniversaries within the framework of Slavianski Bazaar. For the first time at the International Festival of Arts, Aleksandr Morozov held his solo concert Light Shines in My Chamber, dedicated to his personal 70th anniversary and 50 years of creative work. In addition, a full house gathered for the anniversary program of composer Igor Luchenok And As Long As Love Exists on Earth…, featuring more than two dozen of his songs that have become true gems of musical art. The Voice project winner Sergei Volchkov also presented a concert dedicated to his 30th birthday and 5 years of career.
The anniversary photo exhibition Moments of the Century by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency reflected the key milestones of Belarusian history from 1918 to the present day. The Puppet Quarter project celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2018. For the first time, the Youth Belarusian-Russian Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 10th anniversary, performed at the International Festival of Arts.
The gala concert International Voice in Vitebsk also drew attention, featuring laureates of various festivals from more than 13 countries, members of the World Association of Festivals (WAF).
Victory Square became the key venue for the Youth Day events, which in 2018 lasted for two days. The program was filled with concerts, dance and sports competitions, contests for musicians and artisans. From 12 to 16 July, the street art festival In Seven Winds was held for the fourth time, featuring 131 creative groups and more than 600 participants from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and Sweden. The program included around 80 events of various directions and genres.
The closing gala concert featured performances by artists and creative teams from Belarus, Italy, Cuba, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, and France.
The main program of the 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk will run from 16 to 19 July, with the first concerts already taking place on 14 July.