News & Events in Belarus

VITEBSK, 13 July (BelTA) – The 27^th edition of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk opened in a solemn ceremony on 12 July, BelTA has learned.

The Native Land theme and the 30^th anniversary of the Summer Amphitheater translated into a concert program titled “Home Where You Are Always Welcome”. The concert director wanted to emphasize that the Summer Amphitheater became home to a great number of artists and a place where many rose to international stardom.

Addressing the opening ceremony was Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. He presented awards to several artists. For example, Roza Rymbayeva received a special presidential award Through Art to Peace and Understanding. The Grand Prix holder of the 16^th International Junior Song Contest Vitebsk 2018 Alexander Balabanov from Ukraine was awarded the Golden Lira award. The Union State Literature and Art Award 2017-2018 was bestowed upon People’s Artist of Russia, composer Oleg Ivanov, People’s Artist of Russia, conductor Valery Polyansky, Merited Cultural Worker of Russia Alexander Shanin and People’s Artist of the USSR, choreographer Valentin Yelizariev.

Alexander Lukashenko was not left without a gift, either. The festival organizers gave him an amulet belt to reward his efforts to promote the festival that now unites many nations. Such an amulet belt was the most valuable gift to a man for Slavonic peoples.

Taking to the stage were famous artists and rising stars from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and other countries.

Among them was outstanding singer from Kazakhstan Dimash Kudaibergen. He started gaining popularity after winning the song contest at the Slavianski Bazaar festival in 2015. Millions of people worldwide admire his amazing voice, while fans follow him whenever he goes.

It was hard to sit still when Natalia Oreiro, a famous actress and singer from Uruguay, sang the theme song from the Wild Angel telenovela.

For the first time in its history the Summer Amphitheater hosted five orchestras during a single concert: the State Orchestra under the baton of Mikhail Finberg, the orchestras of Emir Kusturica and Goran Bregovic, the orchestra of People's Artist of Russia Oleg Menshikov, and the Vivaldi-Orchestra under the baton of Svetlana Bezrodnaya.

Russian singer Nikolai Baskov noted that he was a “totally unknown artist” when he came on stage of the Summer Amphitheater 19 years ago. He kissed the stage and went to the auditorium seats to hug the Belarusian president.