Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: JULY 2022

Minsk tops CIS list of cities for virtual tours

Valery Slauk’s exhibition The Magic of Graphics in Minsk

Illustrator and graphic artist Valery Slauk focuses on Belarusian and Slavic mythology. Many people have fallen in love with his illustrations to many folk tales and popular pieces of world and Belarusian literature such as Ivanhoe by Walter Scott, The Black Mill by Yuri Brezan, Nobleman Zawalnia by Jan Barshchevsky, Spring in Autumn by Vladimir Korotkevich. Dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the artist, the exhibition will show the magic of graphics in all the diversity of traditional characters of world and Belarusian mythology, including charismatic cats, insects, magicians, house sprites, giants, mermaids, nixies…

When: 19 April – 1 July
Where: National Library of Belarus, 116 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Program ''Vacation Without Socks?!'' in the Belarusian State Circus

With the summer season and the longest school holidays approaching, the Belarusian State Circus has unveiled the new program "Vacation Without Socks?!" The highlight of the show is a flamboyant clown trio "No Socks", the winner of many awards of prestigious circus festivals in Hungary, France, Russia, Israel, Spain and Monte Carlo. In addition to sparkling humor from the trio the audiences will also be treated to unique circus performances of aerial gymnasts, tightrope walkers, horse riders, dogs on skateboards, am unusual game of billiards, a high school of horseback riding and even boxing with kangaroos from tamer Anton Svetlakov.

When: 14 May – 7 August
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Music and tourist season in Upper Town in Minsk

The new tourist season is dedicated to the 955th anniversary of Minsk and the Year of Historical Memory. The season kicked off on 21 May and will be running until September. Every Saturday visitors will be offered an array of activities. The 2022 program includes jazz evenings, the Classics at the Town Hall project, a concert by the Khoroshki dance company. In addition, this season students and professional actors will perform at a theater patio near the Monastyrsky Hotel. Local residents and visitors will also be offered open-air film screenings and will be able to see popular films by the Belarusfilm studio. Minsk libraries will arrange a creative promenade where people will be able to see new arrivals and meet with authors.

When: 21 May – 17 September
Where: Svobody Square, Upper City, Minsk

3 July – Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus (Day of the Republic)

Belarus celebrates the main national holiday on July 3 - the historic day when Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders in 1944. For many decades, the country has honored the feat of generations who survived the war and won the Victory. In the Year of Historical Memory, these events acquire a special meaning and will become the leitmotif of many events on Independence Day... This festive day will see many concerts, folk festivals, family festivals, open-air exhibitions throughout the country... In the evening, a big festive concert will take place at the Minsk - Hero City monument  and will be followed by the traditional event "Let's sing the Anthem Together". At 23:00, the sky above Minsk and the cities of all regions of the country will be lit with colorful fireworks.

The traditional festival Bagration dedicated to Independence Day will be held on in the historical and cultural complex Stalin Line. 2 and 3 July Large-scale military-historical reenactments will take visitors to the past, namely to 28 June 1944 when the large-scale offensive operation Bagration was unfolding on the territory of our country. Thanks to it, the BSSR was liberated and the German Army Group Center was almost completely defeated. An entertainment program will also feature many activities for children and adults: a historical quiz, shooting from pneumatics, assembly/disassembly of weapons, throwing a grenade, and many others.

Samples of modern weapons and equipment will be displayed at the Mound of Glory memorial complex on 3 July. Visitors will see unmanned aerial vehicles Kondor, Bekard-1, Bekard-2, BP-2 Moskit, a universal combat platform for transporting modules for various functional purposes, the combat module ADUNOK-BM30 on the VOLAT V-2 APC, the combat vehicle 9A33-2B Osa air defense system on the MAZ-6317 wheeled chassis and a Groza-R2 electronic rifle to combat multicopters.

When: 3 July
Where: cities of the country, museums, tourist sites

Vulitsa Ezha 2022 in Minsk

Vulitsa Ezha will celebrate its seventh season with three festivals. In a picturesque location within the Botanical Garden grounds, visitors will get a chance to try a special menu of the food court, drop into cocktail bars with a chill-out area, visit the Local Food Market with fresh farm products, learn how to cook new dishes from chefs, and purchase unique things at the arts and crafts market. Visitors will also be invited to enjoy interesting films in the open-air cinema, DJ sets and live music concerts. Entertainment and great locations for instagram photo shoots will be part of the program.

When: 18-19 June, 23-24 July, 3-4 September
Where: Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2B Surganova Street, Minsk

Budslau Fest 2022

The Budslau Fest, included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will traditionally take place in early July. This event was not canceled even after the May tragedy of 2021 when the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was seriously damaged in a fire. As always, believers will be able to worship the famous Catholic shrine of Belarus. Celebrations in the National Sanctuary of the Mother of God of Budslau will be held under the motto "Queen of peace, pray for us". The program includes a holy Mass for pilgrims and a night procession with candles and a copy of the Icon on Friday, a Mass at midnight and the main Mass on Saturday.

When: 1-2 July
Where: town of Budslau, Myadel District, Minsk Oblast

Kupala in Belarus: Festivities on the most mysterious night of summer

The favorite folk holiday that goes back centuries is widely celebrated throughout Belarus. Due to discrepancies in the calendar, there are two main dates, but the largest night festivities take place from 6 to 7 July. Tourist sites hold Kupala holidays in late June and early July. This year will be no exception!

The park-museum of interactive history "The Grand Duchy of Sula" has put together a packed program. "Kupala Night at Sula" will be held on 25 and 26 June and 2, 3, 9 and 10 July. The program will feature the purification by fire and water, games and dances, tests of strength and agility, Kupala round dances, meet-and-greets with characters of Belarusian mythology, fortunetelling with the use of love potions and amulets… and also master classes in ancient dances, traditional crafts and, of course, weaving Kupala wreaths which can be launched along the Sula River. At the end of the holiday, anyone can jump over a festive bonfire.

The archaeological open-air museum in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park will hold the "Ivan Kupala Night" on 6 July. Weaving Kupala wreaths and launching them on the water, a large bonfire, folk songs and round dances, fun games and competitions, stories about medicinal herbs and flowers that acquire magical power and, of course, the search for a fern flower - everything will be like in the old days!
When: Late June – early July
Where: ethnographic museums and tourist sites, cities and villages of the country

Alexandria Gathers Friends 2022

The Kupala Night Festival (Alexandria Gathers Friends), the largest summer folk festival, is held  on the banks of the Dnieper River in the agricultural town of Alexandria. Every year it becomes one of the most interesting events of the summer and gathers thousands of guests. In 2022, which has been declared the Year of Historical Memory in Belarus, Kupala events in Alexandria will be dedicated to the storied history of the country, its formation and development, Belarusians, who, through their work, make their native places even more beautiful. We are in for a busy weekend! The festival will begin at 11.00 on 9 July (Saturday) with the opening of thematic venues and will end at 3.00 on 10 July (Sunday) with a night disco. As usually, the highlights of the festival will include the opening ceremony, concerts of pop artists, a ceremony to celebrate the best agricultural workers, the final of the Lord of the Village nationwide competition. The Saturday night will culminate with a spectacular musical comedy on the main stage. The organizers have prepared an intriguing gala concert starring famous performers and amateur artists. Among the headliners will be Yelena Vayenga, the name of the other star is kept secret. Alexandria will turn into a huge fair with shopping arcades, game attractions, a circus tent, exhibitions and sales, regional mini-pavilions of artisans.

When: 10-11 July
Where: Alexandria agro-town, Shklov District, Mogilev Oblast
Details

Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk

Slavianski Bazaar is the biggest and most famous festival not only in Belarus, but also in Eastern Europe. In 2021 the festival marked its 30th anniversary and this year it is ready to surprise the audience again. About 5,000 accredited guests and participants are expected to come to Vitebsk for this large-scale event. The highlights of the festival will be concerts in the Summer Amphitheater, solo performances, a jazz evening, theatrical and philharmonic programs, an opera forum during the days of the Union State, exhibitions, the City of Artisans … Dozens of open-air events will cater for young people. Interesting projects and performances will take place in many locations of the city this year. The Seven Winds street art festival will provide an opportunity to take beautiful pictures and join the #odnozhelaniyenadvoikh campaign. An international theatrical laboratory will gather drama students from Belarus and Russia in Vitebsk. Under the guidance of GITIS professors they will prepare sketches based on the play Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov and will present them to the audience on 18 July. Festival goers will also be able to enjoy a wide range of other events and, of course, the unforgettable atmosphere of Vitebsk, which almost never sleeps these days. 

When: 13-18 July
Where: Summer Amphitheater, Vitebsk Concert Hall, Vitebsk streets and squares

Vytoki. A Step Towards Olympus festival

The cultural and sports festival Vytoki. A Step Towards Olympus that was first held in 2021, is gaining steam. The second season of the festival will be held in six towns across the country - Rechitsa, Stolin, Novogrudok, Gorki, Polotsk and Kopyl. The concept of the festival is to offer activities and entertainments for all kinds of audiences, adults and children alike. The program of the festival provides for dozens of sports activities, excursions, concerts of young vocalists and popular artists, Belarusian Brands exhibition, fashion shows, and food courts featuring national cuisine. In the Year of Historical Memory, each town strives to present itself in an interesting way, therefore visitors will be offered excursions to iconic sights, as well as theatrical performances and history quests. The main organizer of the project - the National Olympic Committee of Belarus - invites you to take an active part in all sports competitions of the festival. By the way, each participating town will highlight those sports that made the biggest progress in a particular region.

Where and when: Gorki, Mogilev Oblast: 22–23 July
Polotsk, Vitebsk Oblast: 12–13 August
Kopyl, Minsk Oblast: 26–27 August

Cherry Festival 2022 in Glubokoye

Glubokoye, the cherry capital of Belarus, invites everyone to its delicious festival. This year it will be held for the 10th time, with the hashtag #Vishnya10 chosen as its symbol. The festival will kick off with an audience at the residence of the Cherry Queen. The playground will host an open contest of kites Cherry Flight. The Center for Traditional Culture and Folk Art will feature a vernissage by Chinese artist Pan Wuliji. The main location of the festival, the central square of the city, will host In the Cherry Garden ethno party, arts and crafts workshops, PRO-cherry quest, and the #Cherry10 opening ceremony. The second day of the festival will comprise the carnival procession On a Visit to a Cherry, the festive program Cherry Capital Welcomes Guests!, an exhibition-presentation of farmsteads, Making Cherry Jam Together contest, Cherry Wedding ceremonies, the Cherry Tunes competition of accordionists, the Cherry Blossom of Friendship gala concert, the Cherry Pie auction and many more.

When: 22-23 July
Where: Glubokoye, Vitebsk Oblast

VIVA BRASLAV 2022

Braslav District is a popular vacation destination for Belarusians and foreigners. Firstly, the place attracts with its amazingly beautiful glacial lakes, which are poetically called the “blue necklace” of the country. Secondly, this resort is famous for its fiery summer festivals. Viva Braslav is one of them. This festival traditionally attracts over 20,000 visitors every year! This year, music lovers will enjoy 230,000m² of space, a comfortable campsite, a variety of food courts and entertainment areas. The line-up of performers will include Swanky Tunes and Rompasso, GAYAZOV$BROTHER$, Mari Ferrari, Mari Kraimbrery, Jony, Shapov, and Dabro.

The lineup continues to grow. The Miss Viva Braslav 2022 beauty pageant final will name the Muse of Summer on 30 July.

When: 29-30 July
Where: Drivyaty beach, Braslav, Vitebsk Oblast