Events

28 Dec 2018

Belarus, Armenia sign agreement on cooperation in culture for 2019-2022

MINSK, 28 December (BelTA) – The Culture Ministries of Belarus and Armenia signed an agreement on cooperation for 2019-2022, BelTA has learned.

It is remarkable that the agreement was signed in the year when the two countries marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On behalf of Belarus the document was signed by Culture Minister Yuri Bondar, on behalf of Armenia by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Belarus Armen Ghevondyan.

"The culture ministries have been cooperating for a long time. The cooperation has been fruitful from the very beginning as it has been based on the good legal framework and relevant agreement which provides for two- and three-year programs. Thanks to them Armenia has been able to showcase its cultural traditional in Belarus on a large scale. I am sure we have something to show to Belarusian audiences. We are grateful to the Belarusian Culture Ministry for assistance and contribution to the efforts to present the Belarusian culture in Armenia. Armenian audience is interested not only in the history of Belarus but also in its new projects,” the Armenia ambassador said.

The agreement provides for holding Belarus Culture Days in Armenia in 2019 and the Days of Armenian Culture in Belarus in 2020. The Days of Belarusian Cinema in Armenia and the Days of Armenian Cinema in Belarus are to be held as well. Theaters, music and dance groups will exchange tours. This year Belarusian artists participated in all joint activities of the two countries. By the way, in 2018 the CIS Capital of Culture was the Armenian city of Goris which hosted concerts of Belarusian art groups, exhibitions of the National History Museum and the National Art Museum.

“Today’s agreement is filled with concrete content. We are always happy to see representatives of Armenia at our festivals. The Culture Days of Belarus will be held in Yerevan in 2019 and will show our best artistic groups,” Belarus Culture Minister Yuri Bondar noted.

Armenian artists will participate in the Minsk Spring concert series, the Golden Bee festival of children's art, the Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk, the Belaya Vezha theater festival, the Sozh Dancing festival, the Music of Hope children's competition and the Wreath of Friendship international festival of folk art.

Armenia expects representatives of Belarus at the Aram Khachaturian International Competition, the Renaissance and Yerevan Prospects classical music festivals, the Armmono Theater Festival, the International Pantomime Theater Festival, Tumanyan's Fairy Tale Puppet Festival and the Armfest Theater Festival.

The libraries will cooperate as well. The National Libraries of Belarus and Armenia are planning to organize mutual exchange of specialists. The museums of both countries will arrange joint projects and exchange exhibitions.

The countries are set to share information on protection, restoration, use and promotion of historical and cultural heritage and to cooperate as part of the programs implemented by UNESCO, the CIS, the Council of Europe and the European Union.