Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: December 2013

Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum

Slutsk Belts exhibition

Slutsk belts are a Belarusian relic famous all over the world. These belts were created in the 18th-19th centuries at manufactories, the most famous of which was the one located in Slutsk and belonging to the Radziwill family. The belts were made to an intricate technology using silk, gold and silver threads. Back then they were part of a men’s costume being the evidence of power and wealth of their owner. Four belts will be exhibited, all dating to the late 18th to early 19th century and loaned by the Lviv History Museum. Other exhibits worth seeing are portraits of the Belarusian gentry dated by the 18th-19th centuries.

When: 8 May 2013 – 18 April 2014
Where: Minsk, National History Museum
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Australian circus show "Magic Ice" in Minsk

For several months the Belarusian State Circus will host the Australian grand show "Magic Ice". The audience will see the international team of professionals: repeated world figure skating champions from New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The program also includes the most spectacular circus performances: Domina Magic (Italy), a Chinese circus show, contortion (Canada), taming parrots (Russia), and an aerial acrobatics show (Belarus).

Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk
When: 7 September  2013 – 12 January 2014

Orthodox World. The Image of Christ in the Iconography of Eastern Europe expo

An international expo celebrates the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia and continues the 2008 anniversary exhibition "Orthodox Icon of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus", which has been a great success in Moscow, Kiev and Minsk. The exposition features over 100 unique icons of the 15th-early 19th centuries from the funds of the leading museums of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and Serbia. Visitors will see masterpieces of Slavic Orthodox iconography which portraits the main events from Christ’s life in various iconographic variants…

When: 17 September – 5 December
Where: Minsk, National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus

18th International Festival of Organ Music St. Sophia’s Bells

Belarus’ only festival of organ music will bring together world-renowned musicians and their fans in St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk. Alongside the magnificent organ the audience will hear a saxophone, a recorder, the clarinet dating back to 1800, a torch (a wooden wind instrument of the Middle Ages and the Baroque, the forerunner of the clarinet) and a chamber orchestra. This year’s line-up includes the artists already familiar to the Polotsk audience such as Christoph Hauser (Germany) and Hans Christian Hein (Denmark), and also new names: Marek Stefanski, Valeria Balakhovskaya, Elisabeth Zawadke, Florian Hock, Regina Kamenshchikova. Ksenia Pogorelaya’s concert will be dedicated to the 25th anniversary of her creative career in the Concert Hall of St. Sophia Cathedral.

When: 3 November – 8 December
Where: St. Sophia Cathedral, Polotsk
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Porcelain en pointes. Lladrò art in the world’s best theaters

As part of its global tour, the famous Spanish company Lladrò will present a unique porcelain collection dedicated to Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. The exposition features 20 handmade figurines, the pride of the Lladrò Museum of Valencia. The elegant ballerina figurines were created by the leading artists, sculptors and designers of our times, including Jaime Hayon and Bodo Sperlain… The gem of the collection is the Essence of the Dance statuette designed especially for the project by Jose Javier Malavia.

When: 12 November 2013 – 6 January 2014
Where: Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, Minsk

25th Sollertinsky International Music Festival in Vitebsk

The international forum is named after the outstanding music and theater critic of the 1920s-1930s. It is Belarus’ only chamber music festival incorporating various forms of art. The anniversary program features the music part, scientific conferences, art exhibitions and theater performances. The best works by the famous composers of the past and present will be played by virtuosos from all over the world. The festival will star Susanne Ehrhardt, Ksenia Pogorelaya, Alexander Knyazev, Yuri Blinov, Nikolai Lugansky.

When: 1 – 22 December
Where: Vitebsk Music College, Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic

Okean Elzy in Minsk

One of Ukraine’s most popular rock bands will come to Belarus to present its new album The Earth. It was recorded together with the three-time Grammy Awards winner, sound producer Ken Nelson. The new release features 12 songs, including the song Wall from the Brussels project of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. The lead singer says that the songs included in the album “can be compared to 12 types of seeds raised and reared by the Earth”…

When:
2 December – Ice Palace, Vitebsk
3 December – Ice Palace, Mogilev
8 December – Minsk Arena, Minsk

Limp Bizkit in Minsk

The winner of prestigious Billboard, Grammy and MTV Europe Music awards Limp Bizkit will perform in Belarus again. The group gave the first concert in Belarus in 2010 and was impressed with the warm welcome. The leader of the group Fred Durst said that the concert in Minsk was the best one in the tour around the CIS countries. Limp Bizkit will visit Belarus right before the release of its seventh studio album "Stampede of the Disco Elephants" to celebrate its 20th anniversary and to sing its best songs.

When: 2 December
Where: Sports Palace, Minsk

Image of the Republic of Belarus international forum

The fourth international forum titled as “Image of the Republic of Belarus” in Minsk will gather experts who will discuss tourism prospects in Belarus and the investment opportunities of the country. The program of the forum will feature the following sections: Promotion and Development of Cities and Regions, International Promotion via the Internet, and Event Tourism.

When: 5 – 6 December
Where: Hotel Europe, Minsk
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Andrei Makarevich, Songs About Love (L.O.V.E.)

The famous musician, poet and artist, member of the legendary Mashina Vremeny (Time Machine) rock group Andrei Makarevich will perform an unusual role of a jazz singer. He will be accompanied by recognized jazz masters: Evgeny Borets Trio, trumpeter and vocalist Konstantin Gevondyan, and the A`cappella ExpreSSS vocal group – one of the best a capella groups in the world. The musicians will present new interpretations of classic jazz and pop songs…

When: 8 December
Where: Belarusian State Academic Music Theater, Minsk

4th Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum

The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater presents one of the most anticipated events of the year. The forum will feature famous singers, the world’s best theater performances, and first night performances of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus.

10-11 December – The Flying Dutchman, the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus
13 December – A Masked Ball, Mikhailovsky Theater of St. Petersburg
14 December – Turandot, the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus
15 December – The Gala Concert of world opera stars

The Evening of One-Act Operas project – at the Alexandrovskaya Chamber Hall

12 December – The Human Voice (Francis Poulenc), The Telephone (Francis Poulenc)
15 December – First the Music, then the Words (Antonio Salieri), The Theater Director (Antonio Salieri)
14 December – Rita, or The Beaten Husband” (Gaetano Donizetti)

Richard Clayderman in Minsk

French virtuoso pianist, performer of classical and ethnic music in modern rearrangement Richard Clayderman, who has 340 gold and platinum discs to his credit, is marking the 30th anniversary of his career. In the Belarusian capital the legendary pianist will present his first-over-the-past-decade studio work, a new album "Romantique", and play the most popular classical compositions.

When: 11 December
Where: MAZ Community Center, Minsk

5th National Dunin-Martsinkevich Drama Festival

Twelve theater companies from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova will bring their works to Bobruisk. The playbill will include the works of the most prominent playwrights of Belarus: Alexei Dudarev, Andrei Kureichik, Vladimir Rudov, Natalia Manokhina, Inna Grinshpun. The novelties of the forum will comprise a dramaturgic workshop and a newspaper with theater fest diaries.

When: 12 December – 17 December
Where: Bobruisk, Mogilev Oblast Drama and Comedy Theater named after Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkevich 

Belarusian Father Frost’s residence marks 10th anniversary

The celebrations in the residence of the Belarusian Father Frost will feature numerous guests of honor, among whom will be Finland’s Santa Claus Joulupukki, All-Russia Father Frost from Veliky Ustyug, the Father Frost of the Cossacks of the World, the Karelian Pakkaine and the Yakut Chyshaan. The anniversary of the residence coincides with the 150th anniversary of Europe’s highest New Year tree that grows on the premises of the residence. The guests will be treated to an eventful program:

13 December – All-Russia Father Frost from Veliky Ustyug, Snow Maiden from Kostroma, Tsar Berendei from Pereslavl-Zalessky, old witch Baba Yaga from Kukoboi and other fairytale characters from Russia and Belarus will take part in theatrical performances 

14 December – presentation of the project "Fairy Map of Russia and Belarus", a theme parade, laying of the Alley of Fairy Glory, opening of the first international fairy milestone

15 December – an award ceremony of the winners of the contest for the best fairy tale for the Father Frost, a concert program Jubilee Frosty Fairytale.

When: 13 – 15 December
Where: Brest Oblast, Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

Konstantin Raikin in Minsk

Art director of the Moscow theater Satirikon named after Arkady Raikin, People’s Artist of Russia Konstantin Raikin will present a one-man performance named With My Own Voice in Minsk. The actor will talk about his life and artistic career, the acting family traditions and the personality of his legendary father. The artist will recite his favorite poetry accompanied by music from Federico Fellini’s movie Nights of Cabiria.

When: 15 December
Where: Minsk concert hall

Alessandro Safina in Minsk

Famous Italian opera and pop singer, unique lyrical tenor Alessandro Safina will stage a solo concert in Minsk. The inspiring composition Luna won international recognition for the artist while the debut album Insieme a Te was sold in millions of copies within months. In Minsk Alessandro Safina will perform compositions from his latest album Sognami.

When: 18 December
Where: Sports Palace, Minsk

New Year dance show Fairyland

The grandiose celebration will combine theater, circus, music, and dance arts. The New Year project will be staged by professional musicians and actors: the show ballet Feyeriya, the show ballet Jazz Hand, the circus show Kresiva, the neon lights show by Mikhail Bernadsky, the show by Piotr Fedortsov and Olga Grin, the illusions and humor duet UNO. Spectators will be treated to a captivating kaleidoscope of vivid performances, fiery dances, a music and laser show.

When: 19 December
Where: Minsk concert hall

Folk crafts fair Mlyn

Handmade goods by Belarusian craftsmen, young designers and masters of fancywork will be on display at a traditional folk crafts fair in Minsk. The guests of the exhibition will also be able to buy unusual things and New Year presents to the family members. The exhibition will feature souvenirs, decorations, stuffed toys, home decorations, goods for hobbies and other things.

When: 20-22 December
Where: National exhibition center BelExpo, Minsk

Nikolai Tsiskaridze’s Talk Show About Art

An outstanding dancer of modern times, a world ballet star and former lead dancer of Russia’s Bolshoi Theater Nikolai Tsiskaridze will hold an unusual evening. The dancer will talk about contemporary art, and answer questions of the audience about his life, career and world ballet in general. Nikolai Tsiskaridze was a student of ballet legends like Galina Ulanova, Marina Semyonova, Piotr Pestov, Nikolai Fadeyechev, Yuri Grigorovich, Roland Petit and Boris Eifman.

When: 22 December
Where: Minsk concert hall

Harlem Gospel Choir in Minsk

The best voices of America, 25-time Grammy Award winners, Harlem Gospel Choir will visit Minsk as part of their world tour to pay tribute to the remarkable career of Stevie Wonder. The celebrated Gospel Choir collaborated with several of the greatest singers and groups of our time such as Sir Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Avril Lavigne, U2 and others.

When:
25 December - Sports Palace, Minsk
26 December - Vitebsk concert hall

New Year parade of Father Frosts and Snow Maidens

Main characters of the forthcoming holiday season, Father Frosts and Snow Maidens, will parade through central streets of Minsk in all oblast capitals. Characters from popular fairy tales will appear in entertaining contests, mini-concerts and other events. Minsk residents and guests of the capital city are also welcome to attend the highlight of the day, a New Year tree lighting ceremony in Oktyabrskaya Square.

When: 25 December
Where: Oktyabrskaya Square, Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
Oblast capitals