Press releases

GRODNO, 6 August (BelTA) – The Kreva Castle Festival will take place in the village of Kreva, Smorgon District, on 10 August, BelTA learnt from the Smorgon District Executive Committee.

The regional festival will gather guests and tourists at the walls of the medieval castle. The program of the festival will present various trends of contemporary dance and song interpretation of traditional culture, an exhibition of arts and crafts, master classes in folk dances, songs and games, competitions.

The festival guests will discover the authentic culture and crafts, and also volunteer initiatives for the protection of the heritage of Belarus.

The organizers are preparing a recreation of the events which happened 628 years ago – the signing of the Union of Kreva.

The festival is designed to draw attention to the protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Belarus in general and Kreva heritage in particular.

Kreva Castle is a specimen of medieval defense architecture. It was built by Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas and his son Algirdas at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The Castle has witnessed many historical events. The Union of Kreva, the unification treaty of Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland under the rule of Duke Jagiello, was signed in the castle in 1385. In memory of the history of Kreva Castle and its owners, festive events dedicated to the anniversary of the coronation of Mindaugas, the founder and the first Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, are held near the walls of the castle every year. Events include medieval dances, folk performances by Belarusian and Lithuanian artists, and knights’ tournaments.