Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: MAY 2026

Armor exhibition at Nesvizh Palace

Throughout the year, visitors to Nesvizh Palace can immerse themselves in the world of ceremonial and hunting weapons. Outstanding examples of officers' dress weapons (daggers, rapiers, shashkas, sabers), coat swords and departmental swords, Masonic ritual swords, and exotic weapons from various countries… These valuable artifacts have been collected and provided by private collector Anatoly Grishuk.

As the owner noted, his interest in the history of weapons first emerged when he found a 1932-model uhlan saber that had belonged to his father. His grandfather served in the Imperial Army and was on the security detail of Nicholas II when the monarch visited our region for military maneuvers in 1892. The exhibition also explores the culture of hunting, where weapons are not only objects of art but also symbols of power and instruments for demonstrating mastery over nature.

A real draw of the exhibition is an installation of a rider on a horse clad in the shining armor of a Winged Hussar of the Grand Duchy of Litva (Lithuania). Guests will also have the opportunity to try on medieval armor, experience its weight, and take photos alongside a figure of Nicholas Radziwill nicknamed the Orphan.

When: 31 October 2025 – 31 October 2026
Where: National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Nesvizh, 2 Zamkovaya Street, Nesvizh, Minsk Oblast

Forgotten Art of Correspondence exhibition in Grodno

For the first time, visitors to the Grodno Historical and Archaeological Museum will have the opportunity to glimpse into the letters of historical figures from Belarus from the 16^th to the 20^th centuries. The exhibition features the official correspondence of King Stephen Báthory, the private correspondence of Kossovo Palace owner Wandalin Puslovsky (also spelled as Puslowski) and his daughter Marta Krasinska, historian and local lore expert Alexander Yelsky and Eliza Orzeszkowa, a writer from Grodno. A special section is dedicated to letters from the Great Patriotic War period and correspondence of Belarusian writers Yakub Kolas, Vasil Bykov, Mikhas Vasilek, and Aleksei Karpyuk. The exhibition is complemented by various writing instruments, including inkwells, ink bottles, fountain pens, pen boxes, pencils, a paper tray, and paperweights…

When: From November 20
Where: Grodno Historical and Archaeological Museum, 20 Zamkovaya Street, Grodno

‘Journey Through Time’ tour at Mir Castle

Mir Castle, the tourist gem of Belarus, an outstanding 16th-century defensive structure, can now be explored in small and family groups on the “Journey Through Time” tour. Guests will immerse themselves in the past of the famous Radziwiłł and Sviatopolk-Mirsky residence (now a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site) through dialogues with the builders who preserved its 500-year-old walls, as well as with the kitchen master and cook, who reveal the secrets of preparing sweets for the castle's former owners. Sounds and voices from the past will help guests delve into the world of music through forgotten melodies, learn to distinguish instruments such as duda, lute, viola da gamba, and spinet by their sounds, and master the medieval dance Marazulya.

When: Starting 23 January (every Monday and Friday)
Where: Mir Castle, Mir town, Karelichi District, Grodno Obalst

Exhibition ‘In Search of What Time Has Lost’ at Oshmyany Local History Museum

Unique historical artifacts discovered by archaeologists during nearly 20 years of excavations at the Golshany Archaeological Complex (including a settlement from the 11th-16th centuries, three other settlements, and a number of burial mounds) are presented to the general public for the first time. Mongolian arrows from the mid-13th century, Byzantine amphorae, glass bracelets and belt overlays from the 10th-11th centuries… Nearly 600 exhibits in total! will tell visitors to the Oshmyany Local History Museum about the history of Golshany and the entire region from the 5th to the 19th centuries. A separate section of the exhibition is dedicated to the Patriotic War of 1812: here you can see evidence of battles in the vicinity of Golshany including bullets, shako covers, buttons from the French and Russian armies, shrapnel...

When: 3 February – 15 May
Where: Oshmyany Local History Museum, 108 Sovietskaya Street, Oshmyany, Grodno Oblast

New show at the Belarusian State Circus

The Belarusian State Circus presents a new show, “The Magic of Extreme”, dedicated to meticulous craftsmanship and conquering speed, the beauty of maneuver, and the adrenaline of a successful acrobatic stunt. Audiences can expect the breathtaking “Moto Ball”, an adaptation of the Globe of Death invented by legendary motorbike racer Piotr Mayatskyand the Wheel of Death act where performers execute stunts inside a giant wheel rotating in the arena. The program will also feature acrobats on perch poles, a strength athlete, aerial gymnasts and acrobats, a clown and trained dogs.

When: 6 February – 10 May
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezalezhnosti Avenue, Minsk

Art-Minsk 2026 festival

The largest exhibition project, Art-Minsk, is opening a new season, showcasing works by contemporary Belarusian artists. The main goals of this large-scale event are to enhance the city’s cultural landscape and showcase the latest trends shaping the art world today. Year after year, the festival draws growing interest from both artists and audiences. Last season saw a record number of applications – over 1,300! – from which an expert jury selected 550 works by artists from various cities. Visitors can not only purchase exhibits (90% of which are available on the Artcenter.by online platform) but also support artists through voting.

When: 24 April – 7 June
Where: Palace of Arts, 3 Kozlova Street, Minsk

Nabucco opera at Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

The most anticipated premiere of the 93^rd season at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus is Nabucco, staged by the renowned Italian director Giancarlo del Monaco, who over his career (he is 82 years old!) has directed more than a hundred operas in the world’s leading theaters and continues to work. The debut of Giuseppe Verdi's opera on Belarus’ main stage took place in 1999, and later, in 2010, Mikhail Pandzhavidze presented his own version. The last time it was heard on the Minsk stage was in 2016. In 2021, a concert stage version opened the Bolshoi Theater Nights in Radziwiłł Castle. One of the most monumental operas by the young Verdi, based on a biblical story, transports the viewer to Jerusalem in 587 BC and tells the tale of a conquering Babylonian king who, through sins and suffering, arrives at true faith. Audiences will have the opportunity to appreciate the relevance of this work, which the Italian composer himself considered the beginning of his creative ascent: after Nabucco, he achieved tremendous success.

When: 2 May
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskaya Kommuna Square, Minsk

Marc Chagall’s The Walk on display in Minsk

The Walk, one of the world's most recognizable paintings by Marc Chagall from the Russian Museum, was brought to Minsk for the first time. This work, which forms part of a triptych alongside the famous masterpieces Double Portrait and Over the Town, reflects one of the happiest periods in the life of the remarkable artist. Art connoisseurs are in for a romantic and metaphorical stroll together with the young lovers Marc Chagall and Bella Rosenfeld, already married by 1917, through the streets and above their beloved city of Vitebsk. The exhibition offers an immersive VR project: using special glasses, visitors can approach an easel and draw, see how the artist lived and worked, examine objects in the interior, and hear the voices of Marc Chagall and his wife and muse, Bella.

When: 8 April – 6 July
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, 20 Lenina Street, Minsk

Cinema Mechanics in Minsk

Cinema Mechanic is a joint cultural and educational project by the Zair Azgur Memorial Museum-Studio and Cinemascope, which has already won the hearts of Minsk residents. This time, the organizers invite you to look behind the scenes of the filmmaking process and understand how cinema works from the inside: why a particular angle is chosen, how light changes the perception of a character, and why a director needs a complex 10-minute shot… The lineup for the Cinema Mechanics project in May 2026 features films from the 1950s–1960s, including Ingmar Bergman’s philosophical parable The Seventh Seal (1957), Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Vertigo (1958), John Cassavetes’ drama Faces (1968), which received an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay, and Stanley Kubrick’s science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

When: March – June 2026
Where: Zair Azgur Memorial Museum-Studio, 8 Azgur Street, Minsk

Spring rite of Jurauski Karahod in Gomel Oblast

The folk ritual of Jurauski Karahod (St. George's Round Dance), that was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019, is held annually in the village of Pogost, Zhitkovichi District, Gomel Oblast. The tradition of celebrating St. George's Day on 6 May (Saint George is considered the patron saint of shepherds and agriculture) dates back to ancient times, when our ancestors would take their cattle out to pasture for the first time after winter, walk around the winter crops, plow the first furrow, and - during pagan times - appease Yarilo, the god of fertility, spring, and love. Belarusian peasants associated their hopes for a bountiful harvest year with this beautiful spring rite.

When: 6 May
Where: Pogost village, Zhitkovichi District, Gomel Oblast

Telekhany Swamp Trophy Raid 2026

Competitions in the marshlands of Belarus are among the most extreme and spectacular. Off-road enthusiasts can look forward to the opening of the 16^th season and the first stage of the national championship in trophy raids. Telekhany Swamp Trophy Raid traditionally gathers a hundred racers on off-road vehicles and quad bikes. Over 24 hours, participants must cover 100 checkpoints across forests and swamps totaling a distance of nearly 200 km! Telekhany Swamp Trophy Raid is interesting for participants primarily due to the difficulty of the route. Spectators can watch the race at the start line and several checkpoints.

When: 7–10 May
Where: Telekhany, Vulkovskoye Lake, Ivacevichi District, Brest Oblast

9 May – Victory Day in Belarus

Belarus celebrates Victory Day, one of the most memorable and significant holidays in its history, with a wide array of events: ceremonial processions in the capital and throughout the country, the flower ceremonies at monuments and memorials to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, heartfelt meetings with veterans, concerts, art and photo exhibitions, and historical reenactments of military battles.

In the lead-up to Victory Day, the patriotic project Route of Memory kicked off in Vitebsk, bringing together more than 100 participants. They set off for Brest to visit Brest Hero Fortress, to take part in a dialogue platform with young people, and deliver gifts to veterans of the Great Patriotic War in Brest Oblast.

The national patriotic campaign Flowers of Great Victory was launched on 13 April. It will run until 9 May and will draw together thousands of young people from across the country. The program of events includes the tidy-up of military graves, mass burial sites, and memorial complexes and the planting of memory alleys; themed excursions, visits to museums and memorial complexes, cultural and educational activities (performances, literary readings, and the Reading Victory Poems internet marathon); and congratulating Belarusian veterans, children of war, and former prisoners of concentration camps, along with congratulatory events, flash mobs, concerts, and immersive performances.

Where: Minsk and all cities across the country, war memorial complexes and monuments

Memory Calendar: Chapters of Destiny

Nadezhda Korshunova’s play, Memory Calendar: Chapters of Destiny premiered in Minsk on 13 April and will be shown in all regional centers of the country. The project features young people from schools, vocational and technical colleges, and universities and winners of national competitions. The play is based on the authentic documents, photographs, front-line “triangle” letters, and eyewitness testimonies. Each episode resonates as a requiem for the past and, at the same time, as an appeal to future generations, calling on them to remember the price of peaceful life and the heroism of their ancestors.

When: May 2026
Where: Mogilev, Gomel, Vitebsk, Grodno, Brest

Retro Minsk 2026

For the first time in over 15 years, Retro Minsk, one of the largest car festivals in the post-Soviet space, will move to Nesvizh. This season, the participants of the gathering - owners of rare and classic cars that have been out of production for more than 40 years - will travel as part of the Belarus Remembers procession marking the 81^st anniversary of the Soviet people's Victory in the Great Patriotic War. More than 50 cars will drive from Sovetskaya Street along Tomasz Makowski Street, then onto Leninskaya Street, and will complete their run along Zamkovaya Street in the city park. The participants will lay flowers at the mass grave, attend a commemorative rally and the national minute of silence.

When: 9 May
Where: Sovetskaya Street – Tomasz Makowski Street – Leninskaya Street – Zamkovaya Street, Nesvizh, Minsk Oblast

Reenactment of Grodno liberation with the crossing of the Neman

In July 1944, the final liberation of Belarus from the Nazi German invaders was less than two weeks away (28 July). But first, Soviet troops had to cross the Neman River, where German defensive positions were considered impregnable and Grodno itself a fortress. Just 13 days after the liberation of Minsk, the forces of the 2nd and 3rd Belorussian Fronts captured the main right-bank part of the city (16 July). Soviet soldiers crossed the Neman at several points using pontoons, boats, logs, planks, and even by wading. For their bravery, these courageous soldiers and officers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The city was finally liberated on 24 July. During the war, 43% of buildings in Grodno were destroyed, and the Nazis killed more than 50,000 residents.

A reenactment of these historic events – the crossing of the Neman by Soviet troops and the assault on the Nazi-occupied city – will be presented by members of the Belarusian military-historical club “Honor of the Uniform”.

When: 10 May
Where: Near the Old Bridge over the Neman River, Grodno

“Sky runs by Yazep Drozdovich” performance in Minsk

The third installment in the performance series “Your Genius” is a space-themed production dedicated to Yazep Drozdovich, the remarkable 20^th-century Belarusian artist known for his visionary cycle of fantastical works that were far ahead of their time. This musical and dramatic journey into the mind of a genius weaves together diaries, letters, and descriptions of extraterrestrial life with distinctive folk music and meditative, cosmic soundscapes. The project is a creative collaboration between the Sonorus Capella, led by chief conductor Vyacheslav Larin; theater director Oleg Kots, founder of the Theater on Nemiga; and actor Sergei Birulchik of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater.

When: 13 May
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, 5 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk

Zhirovichi Celebration 2026

This festival of spiritual and patriotic music and song celebrates the apparition of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Zhirovichi, which is one of Belarus’ most sacred treasures. The Holy Dormition Stavropegic Monastery in Zhirovichi will host a solemn liturgy and a procession of the cross. The afternoon festival program features choral groups, vocal ensembles, and soloists from all over Belarus. Visitors can also take part in workshops on folk arts and icon painting, and explore exhibitions of traditional crafts and monastic farmstead products.

When: 17 May
Where: Agrotown of Zhirovichi, Slonim District, Grodno Oblast

Poletskishki Candy Festival in Grodno Oblast

Now in its fourth year, the sweet festival in the agrotown of Poletskishki has become a true calling card of Voronovo District. This lively and welcoming celebration offers residents and guests a taste of the district’s history. In the 20^th century, the Voitekhovich family established a confectionery factory here, producing candies using an original recipe that has been preserved from 1937 to this day. Festival-goers can step into the Land of Candy and sample the special treat – the Poletskishki candy. The heart and soul of this tasty festival is the Candy Lady, adorned in a luxurious gown, who will run games, relay races, and riddles.

When: 17 May
Where: Agrotown of Paletskishki, Voronovo District, Grodno Oblast

Slavic Theater Meetings 2026 in Gomel

Under the motto “Theater Brings Happiness!”, the Slavic Theater Meetings festival will bring together regional theater companies from across Belarus and Russia in Gomel. With a history spanning more than 35 years, the forum is dedicated to forging a shared cultural space and encouraging mutual enrichment of theatrical cultures of Slavic nations. Over the course of four days, residents and visitors to Gomel will have the chance to see 10 performances, along with an outdoor production in Kirill Turovsky Square. The festival marathon opens with Ostrovsky’s comedy The Forest, presented by the Bryansk Drama Theater named after A.K. Tolstoy. Additionally, spectators can look forward to a meeting with Maria Poroshina, a film and theater actress, Honored Artist of the Republic of South Ossetia.

When: 20-24 May
Where: Gomel Regional Drama Theater, Gomel State Puppet Theater, Gomel City Youth Theater

Soil fertility ritual in Vetka District

One of Gomel Oblast’s most remarkable rituals, “Walking and Burying the Arrow”, is recognized as an intangible historical and cultural treasure of Belarus. This rite is observed on the Thursday that falls 40 days after Orthodox Easter and is deeply connected to soil fertility and the appeasement of lightning – referred to as the “arrow”. On this day, women put on festive attire, assemble in the village center, and begin dancing in circles. They then divide into lines and, walking hand in hand and singing, make their way to a wheat field. There, the ritual reaches its peak with the burial of the arrow: participants take buttons, coins, and other metal objects, inter them in the ground, and make wishes. From that moment, spring is considered to have ended, and the women return to the village singing summer songs and non-ceremonial melodies.

When: 21 May
Where: Agrotown of Neglyubka, village of Kazatskiye Bolsuny, agrotown of Stolbun, agrotown of Yanovo, Vetka District, Gomel Oblast

Braslav Summer Lightnings festival

The traditional culture festival Braslav Summer Lightnings is dedicated to preserving, developing, and promoting the folk traditions and unique culture of Braslav District. Folk song and dance ensembles, historical reenactment clubs, and artisans from various countries will gather in the “lake capital” once again. The two-day program includes an open competition for amateur vocal and choral groups, a folk dance competition, a performance by a thousand-strong combined choir, a gala concert, and the beloved medieval culture festival “Sword of Brachislav,” which has become a favorite among both Braslav residents and visitors. Notably, the Braslav Summer Lightnings is the oldest traditional culture festival in Belarus – in 2027, it will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

When: 22-24 May
Where: Braslav, Vitebsk Oblast

Svetlana Zakharova and Modanse Project in the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

Svetlana Zakharova, prima ballerina of Russia’s Bolshoi Theater, will present her Modanse Project in Minsk, a production that blends the aesthetics of choreographic art with high fashion. Belarusian dance connoisseurs will see two ballets: Come Un Respiro (Like a Breath) by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti to the music of George Frideric Handel, and the biographical “Gabrielle Chanel,” dedicated to the legendary French style icon and fashion trendsetter who went down in history as Coco Chanel. The program will feature ballet artists from the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, including Mikhail Lobukhin, Artemy Belyakov, Alexei Putintsev, Ana Turazashvili, Uliyana Moksheva, and others.

When: 23 May
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Paris Commune Square, Minsk

Evenings at Sophia of Halshany in ancient castle

Sophia of Halshany was a Belarusian princess, the fourth wife of King and Duke Yahaila, and the foundress of the Jagiellonian dynasty, which ruled for nearly 200 years. The idea to revive Evenings at Sophia of Halshany came about after the restoration of Halshany Castle was completed in 2021, and ever since, guests of the Northern Tower have annually plunged into a world of medieval entertainment, graceful gowns, mystical tales, and legends. Each time, the lady of the castle presents surprises: fire shows, performances by artists and ensembles, singing glass shows, meetings with street organ players, living statues… The festival features medieval music, dance workshops, knightly amusements, mock battles, archery competitions, and more.

When: 23 May
Where: Halshany Castle, the agrotown of Halshany, Oshmyany District, Grodno Oblast

Summer Music and Tourism Season 2026 in Minsk

The summer music and tourism season, which traditionally took place in the Upper Town, as well as on the territory of Trinity Suburb and Rakov Suburb, has over the course of more than 10 years become beloved by residents and visitors of the Belarusian capital. In the current season, the project’s program has been expanded and will extend beyond the historical center of Minsk as well. The main cultural venues will be:

• Historical and cultural park complex Loshitsa on Chizhevskikh Street: theatrical evenings on Fridays, performances by professional musicians on Saturdays;
• Area near the Loshitsa Estate Museum: concerts featuring the Nemiga Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater will take place every Saturday;
• Area near the Minsk City Hall in the Upper Town: music lovers can expect traditional events, including the series Classics at the City Hall, as well as the return after five years of the project Jazz Evenings at the City Hall;
• Upper Town Concert Hall: the Organ in the Upper Town project (every Saturday);
• Muzykalny Lane in the Upper Town: Your Solo karaoke on Saturdays (18:00–21:00);
• Upper Town: children’s activity zones Workshop of Wonders and Reading Symphony, informational and educational programs, and interactive activities;
• Area near the Sports Palace: evening film screenings, music and intellectual quizss, family activities (Friday through Sunday).

On the opening day of the season, 23 May, the Minsk Folk Crafts Festival will take place in the Upper Town. The summer weekend of 27-28 June will host Flax Festival. Rodnaye Modnaye, where designers will showcase their collections and surprise visitors with new looks made from Belarusian flax.

When: 23 May – 12 September
Where: Minsk cultural venues

The Secret of Two Chests quest at Mir Castle

One of the most visited landmarks in Belarus, Mir Castle, invites you to learn the history of its owners, the Radziwill princes, and to unravel the secrets of the famous dynasty by passing through a series of trials. According to the legend, during renovation work, Prince Mikhail Svyatopolk-Mirsky discovered an ancient chest that had been stored in one of the basements. From a note found nearby, it follows that this treasure was hidden by Prince Karol Stanisław Radziwiłł during the war with the Swedes. Despite all efforts, Prince Mikhail is unable to open the chest, so he needs helpers… In addition, participants will be able to hone their culinary skills by preparing dinner for the prince, hear the story of the tragic events of the Great Northern War, and learn about the fascinating pastimes of Princess Marie Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst.

When: 23 May, 20 June, 11 and 25 July
Where: Mir Castle, 2 Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, Mir, Korelichi District, Grodno Oblast

Naliboki 2026 Marathon

The largest amateur marathon in Belarus, the Naliboki Marathon, will gather enthusiasts and fans of an active lifestyle for the 18^th time. A distinctive feature of the competition program is the wide selection of disciplines. For cycling fans, for example, there is a cycling ultramarathon (200 km) and a cycling marathon (100 km); for running distances – a trail ultramarathon (100 km) and a trail marathon (42 km); and for lovers of mixed disciplines – a multi-marathon combining running (30 km), a cycling race (42 km), and a SUP paddle (9 km). Young athletes under the age of 15 can take part in a 1 km kids’ trail.

When: 23–24 May
Where: Stolbtsy District, Minsk Oblast

Tibo 2026 and HTDI Forum in Minsk

Tibo is an international exhibition in the field of information and communication technologies in Belarus and one of the largest in Europe. It is a unique platform for analyzing global experience, the state and prospects of the country’s digital development, and discussing current trends in the IT sector. The main theme of the 2026 forum is artificial intelligence as a driver of technological development. Visitors can expect an extensive business program dedicated to global trends in the development of information and communication technologies, demonstrations of innovations from major manufacturers and suppliers, practical cases of effective application of advanced technologies in various fields, and networking, the opportunity to establish business contacts with key market players, exchange experience, and find partners for project implementation.

When: 26–29 May
Where: Minsk Arena, 111a Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk

‘Queen of the Violin’ Maimuna and the Symphony Orchestra of the National Television and Radio Company of Belarus

Maimuna is known to audiences for her duet with singer Uzari at the Eurovision 2015 contest; in the past, she was the first violinist of the Presidential Orchestra. She is a virtuoso performer: she managed to play Flight of the Bumblebee in 54 seconds, breaking the world record of German musician David Garrett. A new chapter in her creative biography has been her collaboration with orchestras – in 2018 with the Orchestra of the Belarusian State Academic Musical Theater, and since 2024 with the Symphony Orchestra of the National Television and Radio Company of Belarus. The program of the May concert “Awaiting Love” at the State Philharmonic Hall includes works by Camille Saint-Saëns, Astor Piazzolla, Michel Colombier, Hans Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi...

When: 27 May
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Hall, 50 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Night of the Ad Eaters 2026 in Minsk

The Night of the Ad Eaters is a screening show of advertising clips from around the globe, which has been produced for almost 40 years by the eccentric and creative Frenchman Jean-Marie Boursicot. Thanks to the founder’s efforts, advertising appears before the audience as an independent form of creative content, brimming with ideas, insights, and artistic masterpieces. Every year, The Night of the Ad Eaters stands as a major cultural event designed to bring good cheer and professional inspiration.

When: 29 May, 22:00
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk