Belarus Events Calendar

 OCTOBER 2025

Premiere of Black Castle movie based on Vladimir Korotkevich’s novel

The Black Castle is a modern adaptation of Vladimir Korotkevich's historical detective novel ‘The Black Castle of Olshany’. Forty years have passed since its first screen adaptation: a film of the same name by director Mikhail Ptashuk was premiered in 1984. This time, screenwriter Gleb Shprigov and director Kirill Kuzin took on the task of reinterpreting the novel. Even before the official premiere in Minsk, The Black Castle won the Special Jury Prize of the Feature Film Competition and the Special Prize “Cinema without Borders” of the CIS Executive Committee at the Minsk International Film Festival Listapad 2024. According to the plot of the historical drama, young professor Anton Kosmich (Evgeny Shvarts) finds himself in trouble after an ancient gospel belonging to the Olshany family finds its way into his antique store. To save himself and unravel the secrets of the past, he goes to Olshany... The screen adaptation of one of the most famous works of Belarusian literature was attended by Anastasia Krasovskaya, Evgeny Stychkin, Evgeny Shvarts and Vitaly Kishchenko.

When: 12 December 2024 - 2 December 2025
Where: cinemas in Belarusian cities

Exhibition celebrating People's Artist of Belarus and USSR Stefaniya Stanyuta

The exhibition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the People's Artist of Belarus and the USSR Stefaniya Stanyuta explores her life and artistic career. The exhibition features photos, texts of roles, manuscripts, drawings, correspondence with the family and friends, critics' and admirers' reviews, documents. Visitors to the museum can see photos of the outstanding artist with her son Aleksandr, a writer, who dedicated a book to her, the documents related to the Second Belarusian Drama Theater in Vitebsk where many Belarusian artists started their careers after training with the great masters in Moscow in the 1920s. Hsving completed the training in the studio of the Moscow Art Theater in 1931, Stefaniya Stanyuta joined the First Drama Theater (now – Kupalovsky theater) where she served for 70 years, starring in about 200 roles and becoming a true legend!

When: from 13 May 2025
Where: Belarusian State Archives Museum of Literature and Art, 4 Cyril and Methodius Street, Minsk

Autumn Saloon 2025 in Minsk

The Autumn Saloon with Belgazprombank will feature works by 260 young Belarusian artists selected by a professional jury from over a thousand participants in the new season. The organizers are already calling it a record-breaking event in terms of the number of applications received over the entire ten-year history of the exhibition-sale. Participants in this large-scale project are contemporary artists aged 18 to 40, showcasing works created within the last three years in any technique and form of visual art. Guests can purchase the artworks, over 90% of which are available on the online platform Artcenter.by, where additional information about each piece can be accessed by scanning the QR code.

Where: 5 September -19 October
Where: Art Palace, 3 Kozlova Street, Minsk

National Architecture Festival in Minsk

This year’s edition of the National Architecture Festival will celebrate the 90^th anniversary of the Belarusian Union of Architects, which is the country’s oldest creative association. The centerpiece of the festival will be the Minsk International Biennale of Young Architects, also known as Leonardo. This unique international competition, held biennially, invites architects under the age of 40 to participate. Entries are evaluated in two categories: Construction and Project, each featuring six distinct nominations, and are judged by a respected international jury. The festival program will also include solo exhibitions, architectural collaborations with other artistic disciplines, and contests focused on enhancing the aesthetics of everyday living spaces.

When: 17 September – 25 October
Where: National House of Architects, 14 Karl Marx Street, Minsk

Exhibition celebrating Frantsishak Bogushevich in Minsk

Matei Burachok and Simon Reuka from Borisov were the playful pseudonyms adopted by the outstanding writer, lawyer, and public figure Frantsishak Bogushevich for his literary persona. His famous poetry collections “Dudka Belaruskaya” and "Smyk Bielaruski", originally written in the Latin script, are now published in Cyrillic, while the older authentic copies have become extremely rare. However, real artifacts from the past were sent to the Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature from the village of Kushlyany in Smorgon District, Grodno Oblast, where the writer grew up. Visitors to the exhibition, dedicated to the 185th anniversary of Frantsishak Bogushevich, will have the opportunity to explore the world of the estate and wander the winding paths of the poet, as well as see a 19th-century buffet from the dining room that belonged to the Bogushevich family.

When: Until 28 December
Where: State Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature, 13 Bagdanovicha Street, Minsk

Exhibition of watercolors by Mikhail Chepik in Minsk Town Hall

“Autumn Sonata” in the Minsk Town Hall will display watercolor works by Belarusian artist Mikhail Chepik. Throughout his creative journey, he has excelled in various roles: as a theatrical set designer, easel painter, poster artist, and a magnificent watercolorist known for his landscape and thematic paintings. Mikhail Chepik's work is a tribute to the beauty of his beloved capital; he has dedicated dozens of drawings and paintings to Minsk, creating his own vision of the city. Visitors to the exhibition will take a special route through the capital of the 1950s-70s (from the Opera House to the Upper Town).

When: September 4 –2 November
Where: Minsk Town Hall, 2A Svobody Square, Minsk

Exhibition "Nabivanka: Tradition and Modernity" in Polotsk

“Nabivanka” or relief block printing is a fabric decoration technique using a block of wood with a relief pattern that became widespread in the 16th - 17th centuries in Vitebsk, Mogilev, Polotsk, Orsha, and Bobruisk. These Belarusian cities housed the largest workshops at that time. Nabivanka was used to decorate home textiles (tablecloths, towels, sheets) and fabrics for costume elements like sundresses, shirts, and aprons. Visitors to the exhibition will experience the craft tradition on two levels: the historical level, showcasing the emergence and development of nabivanka in the 19th century - early 20th century in Belarus, and the modern level, reflecting the revival and reinterpretation of this ancient craft in the works of contemporary artisans.

When: 19 September 2025 –31 January 2026
Where: Museum of Traditional Manual Weaving of the Poozerye, 1 Voikova Street, Polotsk

Dazhynki 2025 harvest festivals in Belarus

Since ancient times, the ritual of dazhynki in the Slavic calendar marked the end of the harvest in the fields, and thus our ancestors celebrated the completion of the agricultural year. In Belarus, the annual Dazhynki harvest festival has been held since 1996. It features award ceremonies for agricultural workers, fairs, folk concerts, workshops, competitions, and other activities.

When and where:
20 September – Zaslavl (Minsk Oblast)
21 September – Volkovysk (Grodno Oblast)
3 October – Lelchitsy (Gomel Oblast)
4 October – Belozersk (Brest Oblast)
4 October – Chashniki (Vitebsk Oblast)
4 October – Krichev (Mogilev Oblast)

Manhattan Short Film Festival in Minsk

The annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival will bring together over 100,000 film lovers from more than 500 cities worldwide across five continents, who will choose the best film and best actor among this year's finalists. Audiences will see the modern world through the eyes of young directors from seven countries: Spain, Israel, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Mexico, and three films from the USA. The program features a total of 10 short films addressing relevant themes for the current generation. These include dramatic and comedic perspectives on migration, reconciliation, housing, parenting, the price of silence, and the trials and tribulations of growing up.

When: 25 September –5 October
Where: Pobeda and Moskva cinemas, SKYLINE Cinema at the Galileo shopping center, Falcon Club CINEMA BOUTIQUE

MIRAS fantasy show at Belarusian circus

The unique fantasy performance MIRAS has been created by Belarusian and Russian artists in collaboration with the Kazan State Circus. Belarusian audiences will get acquainted with the rich history and culture of the Tatar people through the combination of circus art and modern technology. Under the dome of the Minsk circus, the program showcases the ancient myths and legends, intricately woven into reality, while ancestral traditions will be recreated through acrobatics, music, and magic. The new program also features aerial jugglers, balancing acts on rollers, aerial gymnasts, acrobatic tracks, horseback riders, trained bears, sheep, and, of course, clown shows.

When: 27 September –30 November
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Eurasia.DOC Documentary Film Festival of CIS Countries

The documentary film festival Eurasia.DOC will kick off in Smolensk, Russia on 29 September, and will move to Minsk on 2 October. The forum will open with Vladimir Sumashedov's film "Enemy Number Three" dedicated to the outstanding Soviet artist and master of photomontage Aleksandr Zhytomyrsky. The program of the festival features 35 finalist films from 9 countries, selected by an expert jury from over 350 applications. The main themes include the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the end of World War II, neo-Nazism in the 21st century, and the migration crisis at the Belarusian-Polish border. The festival will showcase cinematic stories about the human experience, courage, resilience, and service, reflecting perspectives on Eurasia through the lens of history, culture, and national traditions. The 2025 program will also include non-competitive and retrospective screenings, roundtable discussions, thematic debates, master classes, meetings with authors, experts, and public figures, press conferences, exhibitions, and special events.

When: 2-3 October
Where: Pobeda cinema, 20 Internatsionalnaya Street, Minsk
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Gomel Half Marathon 2025

Gomel Half Marathon will conclude a series of large-scale athletic races this season in Belarus. The event features three distances: a family run (up to 1km), a 7km race, and a half marathon (21.9km). Traditionally, the most popular 7km route takes participants through the grounds of the Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble, starting at the banks of the Sozh River. This layout allows visitors to experience the most atmospheric spots in the regional center.

When: 4 October
Where: Sozh River Embankment (27 Naberezhnaya Street, rowing base) – park within the boundaries of the Rumiantsev-Paskevich Palace and Park– historic quarters, Gomel

21st International Exhibition Fair LESDREVTECH 2025

LESDREVTECH, the largest forestry and woodworking industry event in Belarus, offers excellent opportunities for promoting products and services on both domestic and international markets. It serves as a convenient platform for professional networking and deal-making. The event program includes meetings with industry experts, special offers for participants, presentations, and workshops. The exhibition is organized by the state enterprise BelExpo and the Forestry Ministry of Belarus. Admission is free with prior online registration.

When: 15–18 October
Where: Minsk International Exhibition Center BELEXPO, 24 P. Medyolka Street, Minsk
More: lesdrevtech.by

Nello Salza and Belarus’ Presidential Orchestra in Minsk

World-renowned Italian trumpeter Nello Salza, known as “Morricone's Trumpet”, will perform on the Belarusian stage for the first time. Over his career, he has recorded over 400 soundtracks and collaborated for 34 years with the “maestro of film music” Ennio Morricone. Nello Salza has prepared a joint program with the National Presidential Orchestra of Belarus, under the baton of its Chief Conductor Vitaly Kulbakov. The exclusive concert will feature the music of the great composer Ennio Morricone from world-famous films such as The Legend of 1900, Once Upon a Time in America, La Piovra [The Octopus], The Postman, The Family, The Untouchables, and more.

When: 16 October
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk

Legends of the Soviet Stage at Belarusian State Philharmonic Society to mark 80th Birthdays of composers Aleksei Rybnikov and Maksim Dunayevsky

The music of Aleksei Rybnikov and Maksim Dunayevsky has shaped generations, and their works have become recognized classics of the 20th century. To celebrate the composers' 80th birthdays, the Honored Collective of the Republic of Belarus, the Finberg National Academic Concert Orchestra of Belarus, has prepared a concert program of their most popular and recognizable pieces. The performance will feature songs and compositions from the films: The Very Same Münchhausen; Carnival; Mary Poppins, Goodbye; Ah, Vaudeville, Vaudeville; D'Artagnan and Three Musketeers; The Tale of the Star Boy; You Wouldn’t Even Dream It; Flying with a Cosmonaut. The program will also include excerpts from Juno and Avos, widely considered the most famous Russian rock opera in history.

When: 16 October
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, 50 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Autumn Journey to the land of Yakub Kolas in Stolbtsy District

This year marks the 142nd birthday of Yakub Kolas (Konstantin Mikhailovich Mitskevich), a poet and prose writer, playwright and translator, critic and publicist, and a mentor to literary youth. In October, lovers of Belarusian culture and literature are invited on a fascinating journey through the native lands of the People's Poet of Belarus. Participants will visit iconic sites connected to the life and work of Yakub Kolas (the memorial estates in Akintchitsy, Albut, and Smolnya), listen to captivating stories about his childhood and family, and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a traditional Belarusian village. The trip also includes interactive and entertainment programs - from folk games and rituals to tastings of traditional dishes.

When: 18 October
Where: The Yakub Kolas Museum in Minsk – memorial estates in Akintchitsy, Albut, Smolnya – Nesvizh – Nesvizh Castle – Minsk

The 39th Vitebsk Listopad Open Festival of Bard Song, Poetry, and Visual Arts

The Vitebsk Listopad festival will unite musicians, poets, artists, and performers in a creative marathon. Held in Chagall's city since 1987 (and known as a bard song festival until 2016), it is the country's oldest forum for bard song and poetry. The event takes place on an indoor concert stage, featuring performers from Belarus and abroad. The format remains hybrid, allowing for both in-person and remote participation. The festival includes competitions for bard song, poetry, visual arts (book cover design, illustration, still life, portrait, thematic composition) and performance art (music video, video poetry). The program also features masterclasses. The main events will be a poetry tournament and a musical battle among the participants.

When: 23–26 October
Where: Vitebsk Culture Center, 1 Mayakovski Street, Vitebsk

Life in the Profession: Spartacus ballet to celebrate People's Artist of Belarus Anton Kravchenko

The Life in the Profession project at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus continues in the 93rd theatre season with a gala evening honoring the 20th stage anniversary of People's Artist of Belarus Anton Kravchenko. His distinguished career includes nearly 30 roles, such as: Spartacus, Vladimir and Yaropolk in Passions (Rogneda), Siegfried in Swan Lake, Espada in Don Quixote, Solor in La Bayadère, The Prince in The Nutcracker, Adam and God in The Creation of the World, Albrecht and Hans in Giselle, Conrad in Le Corsaire, Vitovt, Romeo, The Poet in Carmina Burana, José in Carmen Suite, Giray in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, Tristan, Till Eulenspiegel… Fittingly, the artist will perform the most iconic role of his career and his personal favorite - Spartacus. He will embody the hero who led a slave uprising in Rome in the 70s BC. As the artist himself notes: “Spartacus was born free. A man who is strong in spirit, brave, courageous, and charismatic - such a man can inspire people and lead them. Even to their deaths…” The gala evening will conclude in the foyer of the Bolshoi Theater with an autograph session by Anton Kravchenko and a chance for him to meet the audience.

When: 24 October
Where: The Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskaya Kommuna Square, Minsk

Veles Night at Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve

The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, a true gem of Belarus, is a primeval natural ecosystem encompassing 1,348 marshes. Traditionally in October, all natural processes slow down as the living world gradually falls asleep. Veles Night is a Slavic holiday marking the transition from autumn to winter, celebrated on the night of 31 October and 1 November. Our ancestors believed that this was the time when the veil between the world of the living (Yav) and the world of spirits (Nav) grew thinnest, and that Veles, the patron of livestock, wealth, knowledge, and wisdom, stood guard over this passage… Visitors of the Veles Night celebration in the Berezinsky Reserve will have a chance to enjoy the mysterious world of spirits and ancient deities. They will embark on a mystical journey along the Path of Myths, test their knowledge of mythology in a fun quiz, and enjoy tastings of fragrant herbal teas by a bonfire in a forest clearing.

When: 25-26 October
Where: Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, 3 Tsentralnaya Street, Domzheritsy, Lepel District, Vitebsk Oblast

The Midnight Trolleybus: Underwood band and Konstantin Khabensky in Minsk

Renowned theatre and film actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and Artistic Director of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre Konstantin Khabensky will join the Underwood band in Minsk to present the musical program The Midnight Trolleybus, dedicated to the legacy of Bulat Okudzhava. In the year of the great poet and musician's centenary, the artists recorded the album Project O, which is now being brought to the stage in a live concert format. In addition to the songs, the performance will feature poetry readings and excerpts from the poet's memoirs and those of his contemporaries. Explaining his connection to the work of Okudzhava, a founding father of the bard song movement, Konstantin Khabensky says: “Firstly, in my childhood and youth, many of Okudzhava's songs were played in my home, and I absorbed them. Secondly, later, during my student years and as I was finding my own path, performing these songs made me realize that their energy has a right to exist in a different register…”

When: 29 October
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, 5 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk