Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: JANUARY 2020

Oman: The Jewel of the East. Crafts Heritage

The exhibition “Oman: the Jewel of the East. Crafts Heritage” from the collection of the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman opened in the National Art Museum of Belarus ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Belarusian main museum. The exhibition features over a hundred items which demonstrate the works of local craftsmen. The exhibition displays traditional tableware for serving food and famous Omani coffee and other items necessary for the ancient ritual of welcoming guests, as well as carpets from camel wool and other items woven by local artisans.

When: 19 September – 19 January
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk
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Pablo Picasso. Paragraphs in Minsk

Pablo Picasso, one of the geniuses of the 20th century, left a large legacy in various arts and genres: painting, sculpture, graphics, ceramics, and others. The exhibition at the Libra exhibition hall in Minsk will showcase the most prominent “paragraphs” of Pablo Picasso’s life illustrated by his works. It will display 61 lithographies from private collections from Germany, Belgium, and France, and ceramic works from the holdings of the National Art Museum of Belarus. The exhibition will also demonstrate sculptures and ceramic works by Belarusian followers of Pablo Picasso: Pavel Voinitsky, Aleksandr Sokolov, Mikhail Inkov, Yelena Chepeleva, Dmitry Oganov, Liliya Nishchik, and others.

When: 26 November – 26 January
Where: Libra exhibition hall, 37 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Schraga Zarfin. Leading to the Light

Schraga Zarfin’s solo exhibition in Minsk, organized to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of the bright representative of the Paris school and a native of Belarusian Smilovichi, is the first one in the post-Soviet space. One of the major themes in his art was landscapes of France, which became his second homeland. The artist sought to depict spiritual and philosophical problems. He was also a successful designer. He was hailed by his contemporaries as a virtuoso of fabric design. He designed a series of sketches for the budding Coco Chanel. In Minsk, art connoisseurs have an opportunity to see 52 works made by the artist in different years. The exhibition includes paintings from the collection of the A-100 Group of Companies, from the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, from the Center for the Creativity of Children and Youth of Smilovichi and private collections.

When: 6 December 2019 – 19 February 2020
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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Chronicler of Fates expo at National Library

The chronicle of the 20th century in portraits of its personalities – politicians, scientists, airmen, polar explorers, performers, artists, writers, poets, ballerinas – was created by distinguished photographer and native of Minsk Moses Nappelbaum (tens of thousands of works). He created the images that are well-known to many thanks to textbooks, including those of Alexei Tolstoy, Sergei Yesenin, Anna Akhmatova, Boris Pasternak, Maxim Gorky, Sergei Eisenstein, Dmitry Shostakovich, Galina Ulanova and others. The exhibition dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the master’s birthday presents the reproductions of the photographs, the memoirs of Ida, his eldest daughter, and his book “From Craft to Art”.

When: 13 December 2019 – 15 January 2020
Where: National Library of Belarus, Minsk
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Creation of the World ballet in Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

Valentin Elizariev has choreographed a new production of the Creation of the World ballet that premiered at the Minsk Bolshoi Theater in 1976. The idea for the production emerged in 1971 after the premiere of the same-name play by Natalia Kasatkina and Vasily Vasilyev at the Kirov (Marrinsky) Theater featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov. Then, according to composer Andrei Petrov, Elisariev's work was named the country’s most successful ballet. Speaking about the relevance of the play, Valentin Elizariev says that “a man of today will always be interested in the biblical theme”. To further explore it, he took into account the individuality and creative abilities of the present-day actors.

When: 19 December 2019, 2 February, 1 and 27 March 2020
Where: Belarus’ Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, Minsk

Panna Dollya International Expo

The organizers of Belarus’ art doll exhibition Panna Dollya invite everyone to the kingdom of dolls and fairytale characters. Here one can find exclusive works from the best puppet designers of Belarus, CIS and non-CIS countries. The exhibition will feature 150 works made using various techniques - from textile dolls and attic bears to porcelain rarities, static expositions and portrait works.

When: 21 December 2019 – 1 February 2020 (12.00-20.00)
Where: National Center of Contemporary Arts, Minsk

Vivaldi. The Four Seasons by Olimpia Classic

Nature awakening, summertime heat, flamboyant colors of autumn and fairy tales of winter – the audience is invited to experience the delights of the four seasons  at the concert by Olimpia Classic under the baton of Mikhail Snitko, founder of a unique music group inspired by Gennady Provorov, Ilya Musin and Gennady Rozhdestvensky.  Musicians received standing ovation in the best concert venues of Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany and Poland… Their portfolio features such projects as Strauss Gala, Cinema Music, Golden Pages. Bach, Tchaikovsky, Gluck.

When: 7 January (20:15)
Where: Red Church, Minsk

Bratislava Hot Serenaders in Minsk

The Great Gatsby epoch will be recreated in Minsk by the famous Bratislava Hot Serenaders that made a name for itself due to its authentic interpretation of jazz music of the 1920s-1930s. When it was established in 1992, it was just a group of 18 enthusiasts who performed hot jazz music in their free time. Today the team is one of Europe’s best orchestras in this genre. Bratislava Hot Serenaders will give their first concert in Minsk as part of the New Year tour Lonely Melody.

When: 10 January (20:15)
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk

The 32nd international classic music festival January Music Nights

The January Music Nights will gather about 300 musicians and singers from ten countries – Belarus, Germany, Georgia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, the USA, Ukraine, China, Netherlands, and Italy – in Brest. For the first time 12 singers with interesting voices (according to the panel of judges) will come to participate in the festival. This year’s festival will introduce classic music fans to prominent artists such as the soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine Taras Shtonda, the soloist of the Baltimore Opera Choir Albert Niedel, soloists of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus Ilya Silchukov and Stanislav Trifonov. A total of four music nights will be arranged. They will feature masterpieces of Russian, Belarusian, and Western European music…

When: 9–12 January
Where: Brest Academic Drama Theater, Brest

10 January – matinee, Brest Music College
11 January – Christmas ball in the Brest Academic Drama Theater
12 January – organ music concert performed by People’s Artist of Belarus Igor Olovnikov

Christmas time in Belarus

The time between Christmas and Epiphany is related not only to Christian traditions but ancient folk rites, in which fairy-tales, local legends and beliefs are tightly intertwined. In this period Christmas merrymaking takes place everywhere across the country: it takes place in cities and towns as part of Christmas fairs, in ethnographic museums, and farm stays. But truly unique events can be witnessed only in one location.

Kalyady Tsars rite in Semezhevo

The unique traditional folk rite Kalyady Tsars (Christmas Tsars) from the village of Semezhevo was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. The history of the rite is connected with the events of the 18th century when military units of the tsar’s army camped near the village. During the New Year celebrations in accordance to the Julian calendar, soldiers and officers visited local houses and gave performances. Since then, locals believe that “tsars” bring peace and prosperity into houses they visit.

When: 13 January
Where: Village of Semezhevo, Kopyl District, Minsk Oblast

Koniki folk carnival

The Koniki Christmas rite is part of the cultural heritage of the Belarusian Polesie. It is performed in the town of David-Gorodok on the Generous Eve (New Year's Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar). Its main character is Horse, not Goat as in villages. Horse is traditionally accompanied by people dressed up as various animals and fictional characters. This festive procession makes its rounds and visits houses, singing, dancing, and congratulating their hosts.

When: 13 January
Where: David-Gorodok, Stolin District, Brest Oblast

Northern Dogs 2020 sled dog race

Logoisk District will host spectacular international sled dog competitions again. The event will bring together the best mushers and their dogs from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. The competitions will include three races: 1.5km, 3.5km, and 7km. Participants will have to face sharp turns and snow-covered slopes. Spectators will also be invited to visit entertainment and photo zones, take a sled dog ride, and get a consultation about taking care of sled dogs.

When: 16 February
Where: Ekspeditsiya Picnic Hotel, Logoisk District, Minsk Oblast