Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: June 2013

Vladimir Vysotsky Exhibition

The National Library of Belarus presents a book exhibition “Vladimir Vysotsky. We Thank You!” timed to the 75th anniversary of the birthday Vladimir Vysotsky, the outstanding poet, singer, theater and cinema artist. The exhibition features books on Vladimir Vysotsky’s art and. The visitors will be able to find out interesting facts about Vladimir Vysotsky’s visits to Belarus as a singer or actor. The Belarusfilm movie studio produced seven movies featuring Vladimir Vysotsky. His tenth movie as an actor, “I Come from the Childhood”, featured his own songs for the first time…

When: from 25 January to 9 July
Where: The National Library of Belarus, Minsk

Historical Mosaic waxwork exhibition

Historical Mosaic is a joint project of the State History Museum of St. Petersburg “The Peter and Paul Fortress” and the National History Museum of the Republic of Belarus. The exposition will feature waxworks of famous Russian political figures from the time of Peter the Great to present-day Russia under President Vladimir Putin: emperors, Soviet leaders (Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev), military commanders (Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov, Georgy Zhukov) and other prominent historical personalities. A separate section is dedicated to foreign politicians and public figures (George W. Bush, Diana, Princess of Wales).

When: 12 April – 12 June
Where: Minsk, National History Museum
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“Belarus Embraced by Stars”

This unique exposition features the works of a professional astronomer and talented photographer Viktor Malyshchits. The exhibition is not just about the night and stars from the scientific point of view. The exposition celebrates the natural beauty of Belarus. The photos depict the magnificent starry sky, architectural monuments and landscapes with a special national tincture and a mysterious attitude to the Universe. Making photos is a very difficult and lengthy process involving trips and search for the necessary conditions (landscape, lighting and weather), shooting and selecting photos. At the exhibition you will be able to see the contours of the Milky Way lying between centuries-old oaks and walls of ancient churches and castles, as well as aurora polaris, the sky dappled with meteors over wheat fields…

When: 18 May-17 June
Where: National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk

"Resurgent Pictures" by Andrei Smolyak

An unusual art gallery has been arranged on the fence along Chelyuskintsev Park in Minsk. An extravagant Belarusian artist Andrei Smolyak and his wife Olga presented a project “Resurgent Pictures” depicting famous artists, athletes, businessmen and politicians as characters of Andrei Smolyak’s works. The project was materialized with the help of a team of professionals – designers, costume artists, make-up artists, decorators and photographers. The revived pictures portray famous Belarusian personalities, including Maxim Mirnyi, Darya Domracheva, Angelica Agurbash, Anatoly Yarmolenko, director Andrei Kureichik, Belarusian stars of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest… The artist has plans to depict Monica Belucci, supermodel Yekaterina Domankova and famous athletes.

When: 26 May-November 2013
Where: Chelyuskintsev Park, Minsk

International children’s festival Golden Bee

The town of Klimovichi, Belarus, will play host to the 13th international festival which will bring together over 600 young artists from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Slovenia and Moldova.  The festival encompasses a variety of genres. The festival is traditionally timed to the International Day for Protection of Children. Nominations include vocal art, choreography, painting and ornamental art. The guests will be able to take part in mini-performances, get the feel of the countryside, try a hand in the traditional Belarusian crafts and taste the national cuisine.

When: 29 May – 2 June
Where: Klimovichi, Mogilev Oblast

Charity concert “Touch of Life”

The charity concert “Touch to Life” will be held in the Belarusian capital city for the sixth time. The concert will be timed to the International Children’s Day. Taking part in it will be famous artists from Belarus and abroad. The project aims to raise awareness of child cancer, hematology, and orphans. The money raised from the ticket sales will be spent on charity. Performing on the Minsk Arena stage will be Boney M, London Beat, Prokhor Shalyapin, Irina Bilyk, Angelica Agurbash, Alexei Khlestov, Alyona Lanskaya, German, Irina Ignatyuk, Alexander Tikhanovich and Yadviga Poplavskaya…

When: 1 June
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk

Night of the Ad Eaters in Minsk

On the first night of the summer the Palace of the Republic will show commercials from the collection of Jean Marie Boursicot. This time the audience will see a new program featuring the best commercials of the famous Cinematheque, including both vintage ads and the newest commercials from around the world, from Japan to Mexico. The viewers will have an opportunity to get a taste of the best collection of out-of-the-box advertising and relax in a music lounge.

When: 1 June
Where: Palace of the Republiс, Minsk

Premiere of Stanislaw Moniuszko’s Verbum Nobile opera

This is Belarus’ first performance of the Verbum Nobile (World of Honor) opera composed by the outstanding composer Stanislaw Moniuszko who was born on the territory of present-day Belarus. The opera premiered in Warsaw in 1861 where Moniuszko lived at that time. A sophisticated comedy line and catchy melodies made the opera one of the best works of the composer. The Belarusian stage managers preserved the elegant and refined style of the author, while the libretto was translated into Belarusian. The opera will be performed in Minsk on 30 May and 5 June. After that it will be staged in Grodno, on Belarus’ oldest stage that opened over 200 years ago by mogul Antoni Tyzenhaus (now the Grodno Regional Puppet Theater).

When: 30 May, 5 June
Where: Minsk, Palace of the Trade Unions

Mark Heller in Turandot premiere by Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

As a guest soloist the famous American tenor Mark Heller shines on the best stages of the world: the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, the Dutch National Opera, the Swedish National Opera, Theatre du Capitole in Toulouse, the British Royal Albert Hall. Mark Heller performed the part of Radames in Verdi's Aida at the foot of the pyramids of Giza (Cairo Opera House Theater). In Minsk Mark Haller is for one evening and will sing Khalaf’s part in the premiere of Turandot by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater that celebrated 80 years since its founding in May.

When: 4 June
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk

"The Artist and the City". Exhibition of copies of Kazimir Malevich’s paintings

The project "The Artist and the City" invites Minskers and visitors of the capital to get a feel of the legacy of the great artists whose life and art were closely linked with our country. In 1919, the author of the Black Square moved to Vitebsk where he ran a studio at Marc Chagall’s art school. In 1922 Malevich finished his main theoretical work – The Non-objective World: The Manifesto of Suprematism. The open-air exposition of the copies of 18 paintings of the great avant-garde artist offers a casual atmosphere to reflect on the work of Malevich. The copies will be accompanied by notes in Belarusian, Russian and English.

When: 6 June - 20 September
Where: Yakub Kolas Square, Minsk
Details

Ball at Sophia of Halshany’s

The popular art project "Masterpieces of the world classics in the open-air museum" presents a new grandiose event. The Belarusian Vernacular Architecture and Ethnic Heritage Museum will host a ball featuring famous performers from Klaipeda, Kaunas, Minsk, Baku and Moscow. For the first time, with the help of a professional emcee, the guests will be able to learn ballroom dance moves on the improvised "dance floor". The evening will culminate with the first national musical "Sophia of Halshany" by the Belarusian State Musical Theater. The famous composer Vladimir Kondrusevich and libretto author, filmmaker and playwright Yelena Turova draw on the amazing story from the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of the 15th century. The musical tells about the marriage of King Jagiello and young Princess Sophia of Halshany...

When: 7 June
Where: Belarusian Vernacular Architecture and Ethnic Heritage Museum, the village of Ozertso, Minsk District

Molodechno 2013. National Festival of Belarusian Song and Poetry

The Festival of Belarusian Song and Poetry Molodechno 2013 has prepared music surprises. Starting from the year 2013, the second day of the festival will be hosted by one of the oblasts of the country. The first in line is Minsk Oblast. Traditionally the audience will be offered interesting concerts: song contest of young performers, performances of chamber orchestras, jazz bands. And all of this will be accompanied by the famous orchestra – the National Academic Concert Orchestra conducted by Maestro Mikhail Finberg

When: 7-8 June
Where: village of Chist, town of Molodechno
Details

Exhibition "Precious Patterns. Gold in the Specimens of Applied Art and Written Artifacts"

Visitors will get familiar with the unique collection of 130 specimens of history, culture and art of the Moscow History Museum. Since ancient times, gold was associated with solar heat and, of course, wealth. The collection of works of art of the 14-20th centuries features rare editions of liturgical books and church utensils, hats, scarves and decorations for plaits used by women in the central provinces of Russia, all decorated with gold threads.

When: 8 June-14 September
Where: National History Museum, Minsk

Jazz Saturdays at the Minsk Town Hall

A musical project "Jazz Saturdays at the Town Hall" will be held in the very heart of the Belarusian capital. Thousands of visitors will have a chance to enjoy favorite melodies in the hand of well-known jazzmen from France, the United States, Japan, Lithuania, Russia, the UK, Ukraine, Poland, Germany. The leading Belarusian jazz performers: Apple Tea, Lipnitsky Show Orchestra Jazz, Konstantin Goryachy’s Trio and many others will perform alongside with the world’s jazz maestros.

When: 8, 15, 29 June
Where: Minsk, Liberty Square, Minsk Town Hall

Musicales in Mir Castle

A great festival at the walls of the renowned Mir Castle is one of the brightest musical events of the year. The three-day open-air show will take you into the world of music:
14 June – a concert of popular Belarusian performers "Belarus’ Song of the Year" and Dmitry Koldun’s show “Night Pilot”;
15 June – a concert of the country’s best young bands "Living Rock" and a concert of Quest Pistols pop rock group;
16 June – a concert "Allure Gipsy Show: the Decade’s Best" and a concert of the Grim Brothers band with the participation of the U Neskladovaye music group.

When: 14 – 16 June
Where: Mir Castle, Grodno Oblast

First Cheese Fest near Minsk

Cheese festivals in Italy, Ireland, Canada, the UK and Ukraine have already gained much popularity. Meanwhile Belarus can become as popular a place for cheese lovers. Belarus is among the world’s top five exporters of dairy products, including the country’s finest cheese: today Belarus boasts over 160 types of locally-produced cheese. A chance to taste each of them will be provided at the First Cheese Fest near Minsk, which is to take place in a picturesque place, the Belarusian Vernacular Architecture and Ethnic Heritage Museum. The program will include tasting of numerous types of cheese from Belarus’ leading cheese-makers, entertainments and contests, spectacular shows and good music. Guests, coming to the festival wearing yellow T-shirts, will have an opportunity to take part in the shooting of a dance clip "Living Cheese" and win a Cheese Olympic Medal.

When: 15 June
Where: Belarusian Vernacular Architecture and Ethnic Heritage Museum
Details

Opera and Ballet Art Festival “Bolshoi Theater Evenings in the Radziwill Castle"

The festival will open with a concert of the leading opera singers with the participation of the Serenade string quintet and Piotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake in the courtyard of Nesvizh Castle. The Romanticism music lovers will have an opportunity to enjoy the works of the Belarusian composers of the 21st century at the Church of the Corpus Christi. The program of the event will include Dmitry Smolski’s opera Gray Legend and Gaetano Donizetti’s opera Rita, or Pirate Triangle. The Bolshoi Theater Evenings in the Radziwill Castle will wrap up with a gala concert of popular arias from classic operas and ballet fragments.

When: 21 – 23 June
Where: Nesvizh Castle, Minsk Oblast

The 20th International Church Music Festival Magutny Bozha

Mogilev, the 2013 Belarus and the CIS Capital of Culture, will play host to a well-known annual festival of church music. Partaking in the festival will be choirs, soloists and musicians from Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Italy and the United States. The vocal and choir competition will be one of the highlights of the festival. The program of the event will also comprise numerous concerts, exhibitions, conferences and meetings.

When: 24 – 28 June
Where: Mogilev

Magic Water or Singing Fountains show

Three elements – water, music, and light – will be merged to create one captivating show. Thanks to special equipment designed by German engineers fountain spurts in the form of seven pyramids will rise up to seven meters into the air and will perform a magic dance while highlighted by multicolored lights. Instead of a prerecorded audio track for the first time in Minsk the show Singing Fountains will use live music by the symphony orchestra of the Belarusian State Musical Theater conducted by maestro Arkady Berin. Over 24 tonnes of water will be used to make the majestic show possible.

When: 26 June
Where: Dreamland amusement park, Minsk

International youth camp Friendship

The camp Friendship is one of the most impressive joint projects arranged by youth organizations of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. This year’s camp is dedicated to the 1205th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity in Russia. The schedule is very tight: concerts by rock music bands, folk music bands and bards, beauty contests, body art, the club of funny and witty people KVN, a mind sport tournament, sessions of interest groups, sport competitions, and many other events.

When: 26-29 June
Where: The border of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine

International folk arts festival Friendship Wreath

At the end of June guests and residents of the town of Bobruisk will be able to immerse themselves into an unforgettable air of a musical extravaganza, variety of colors and tastes. The festival that will gather representatives of various nationalities will feature many interesting events. Those are the Friendship Soiree during which participants will share their national cuisine secrets, concerts, a photo exhibition From Festival To Festival, an international science to practice conference on folk pictorial art and globalization, an international exhibition of souvenirs and the craftsmen town, a contest of ornamental and applied arts Wreath As a Gift For the Festival. On the Town Day the sport facility Bobruisk Arena will house a major concert featuring Russian music bands Na-Na, Freestyle, and Nancy.

When: 27-30 June
Where: Bobruisk, Mogilev Oblast

International historical festival Legacy of Centuries

This famous celebration near walls of the Mir Castle recreates the environment of legendary medieval knight tournaments. Guests of the festival will be treated to captivating battles to be staged in compliance with medieval rules. Knights will battle on foot and on horseback, archers and crossbowmen will compete. Guests will be treated to massive battles, a recreational battle, competitions of pikemen. The forum will unite the best representatives of historical recreation clubs, performers of medieval and folk music, dancing collectives, masters of medieval crafts and a fiery show.

When: 27-30 June
Where: Mir Castle, Grodno Oblast
Details

Candy Fest

The town of Ivenets will host a traditional festival of confectionery lovers. This year it will be an impressive celebration involving princes, knights, and mythical creatures. The time machine will take visitors to the medieval estate of Lord Draguntsev where they will be able to see fair ladies, noble knights, and courageous uhlans. During the festival visitors will be welcome to a fair, dancing, fortune telling, and master classes of craftsmen.

When: 29 June
Where: The town of Ivenets, Volozhin District, Minsk Oblast