Press releases

MINSK, 4 May (BelTA) – Bobruisk will be Belarus’ Capital of Culture in 2017. The relevant decision was taken at a board meeting of the Culture Ministry on 4 May, BelTA has learned.

Presenting the city nominated for the Cultural Capital of the Year status, Bobruisk Vice Mayor Alexander Markachev noted that Bobruisk first took part in the competition in 2012. Over the past five years the city has done a lot in strengthening and developing the base of its cultural establishments. Over Br30 billion of budgetary funds were allocated for this purpose.

Today Bobruisk takes pride in its picture gallery that was opened in 2012. Its collection comprises not only the works of Bobruisk artists and ceramists, but also works of the participants of the plain air Art Zhyzhal from 18 countries.

According to Alexander Markachev, children’s school No.2 named after Vladimir Olovnikov underwent a major overhaul. This year, the Year of Culture, the school hosted the first Olovnikov Open Piano Competition. The event welcomed young pianists from every corner of the country.

A monument to Bobruisk-born writer and film director Efraim Sevel will be unveiled by City Day this year. A monument to war aviators will be erected as well to become a symbol of memory to fathers and grandfathers of Bobruisk residents. The opening of the Youth Park in 2017 is an initiative of the youth of the city.

A contest was announced among educational establishments on the collection of materials for the booklets “Our Famous Countrymen”. The results of the contest will be made public in 2017, the year the city will celebrate its 630^th anniversary.

A calling card of the city is the international festival Wreath of Friendship which over the past 13 years has united 38 countries of five continents. Among the participants of the festival have been representatives of Austria, France, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus, the United States, Cuba, Mexico, Columbia, Ghana, India, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel.

The honorary status of the cultural capital of the year will help the city open its potential, attract attention to its historical heritage of both Belarusians and foreign guests.

Culture Minister Boris Svetlov stated that apart from culture it is also important to plan events in other spheres of life. The ongoing Year of Culture in Belarus envisages the presentation of culture in various areas of activity. He also suggested testing the awarding of the status “Honorary Citizen of Belarus’ Capital of Culture” in Bobruisk.

Belarus’ Capital of Culture project was first held in 2010. The first status of the cultural capital was bestowed upon Polotsk. Among Belarus’ Capitals of Culture were also Gomel, Nesvizh, Mogilev, Grodno, Brest. Molodechno is Belarus’ Capital of Culture in 2016.