Press releases

From rock orchestras to TikTok stars: How Slavianski Bazaar 2025 welcomed guests

VITEBSK, 14 July (BelTA) – The countdown is on: just two days left until the main events of the 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk begin. To mark the occasion, BelTA invites you to look back at the festival’s history. In our daily retrospective series, we dive into archival materials to relive the brightest highlights of each year. Today, we take a look back at 2025.

The 34th International Festival of Arts was held from 10 to 13 July, with additional events scheduled on 8, 9, and 14 July. In 2025, Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk featured over a hundred events and brought together participants from 44 countries.

Audiences at the Summer Amphitheater were treated to the festival’s traditional star-studded gala concerts, including the opening and closing ceremonies, events celebrating the Belarus-Russia Union State Days, as well as fan favorites like Chanson TV: All Stars and the Humor Cup. The overnight disco Golden Hit proved to be exceptionally popular. The concert series at the festival’s main venue kicked off with the Nikamuza rock orchestra presenting their new program, Legends of Rock.

Yuri Antonov, People’s Artist of Russia, composer, and musician, received the special award of the Belarusian president, “Through art to peace and mutual understanding.” During the official ceremony unveiling his star on the Square of Laureates, the singer was hailed as a living legend. Speakers emphasized that for over half a century, his music has conveyed high ideals and true values, inspiring entire generations of listeners. The artist admitted that Belarus is a second homeland to him. Yuri Antonov expressed his gratitude for the prestigious award, adding that he is always delighted to return to Belarus and the arts festival. He noted that he remembers the event from day one, having personally performed at the very first opening ceremony of Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk.

The Grand Prix of the 34th International Pop Song Contest Vitebsk 2025 went to Kazakhstan. A singer from Moldova won the Vladimir Mulyavin Special Prize, awarded for the best representation of a national theme and vocal excellence. Additionally, Erik Akhmetov from Russia and Valeria Bernatovich from Belarus were honored with special awards from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia.

The Vitebsk Concert Hall hosted the International Children’s Music Contest. The head of state presented the Grand Prix to Belarusian entrant Amalia Sukhan, who was also honored with a special award from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State. Young performer Miras Nagashibay from Kazakhstan received the Igor Luchenok Special Prize for artistic excellence and the best representation of a national theme. For the first time in the history of the Vitebsk children’s contest, a special prize from the CIS Executive Committee was established. The CIS Crystal Note was awarded to the youngest contestant, 11-year-old Milana Ordakyan from Armenia.

The festival organizers introduced guests to a new venue, the Central Sports Complex, which hosted four spectacular concerts: TikTok Stars at Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, Summer Rhythms, Dance Floor with Dushevnoye Radio, and a solo concert by Stas Mikhailov.

The Concert Hall was also packed with performances. As part of the Union State to Children project, audiences of all ages thoroughly enjoyed the family musical show The Dreamers. In addition, the Dream Dance Fest international project brought together top choreographic groups from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, showcasing a wide range of dance styles on stage, from traditional folk to contemporary.

For the first time, the Theater Meetings program introduced After the Show events. Following each production, actors, screenwriters, and directors took to the stage, offering audiences a unique opportunity to ask questions and hear backstage stories during these intimate talkbacks.

Meanwhile, the Vitebsk Oblast Philharmonic hosted solo concerts by the Bravo Metehi group, Eteri Beriashvili, the Moscow dance ensemble Alania, and the Ethno-Flamenco musical project. The Philharmonic’s lineup also featured the concert-play The Master and the Mandolin and the special event titled as The Union State Invites.

The international arts festival drew rave reviews from audiences for projects such as the Puppet Quarter, the 11th On Seven Winds street art fest, the Slavianski Blagovest choral music festival, and the Color Fest family event.

The main events of the 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk will run from 16 to 19 July, with the very first concerts kicking off today, 14 July.