Press releases

Slavianski Bazaar 2007: Modernized Summer Amphitheatre, concert by Patricia Kaas

VITEBSK, 26 June (BelTA) – Twenty days remain until the 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. BelTA invites readers to dive into a retrospective: each day we recall the festival’s brightest moments from different years. Today’s focus is the 2007 festival.

The 16th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk took place on 5-14 July, bringing together representatives of 32 countries. For the first time, artists from Hungary, Bolivia, and Cuba joined the event. Across 11 festival venues, 95 events were held.

By the festival’s opening, the modernization of the Summer Amphitheatre had been completed: a roof was installed over the audience hall. It became a true salvation from the traditional July downpours that tended to hit the city right during festival events.

Scientists and architects from Minsk, Novopolotsk, and Brest worked on the project. Construction began in 2006. Local newspapers symbolically called the structure an “umbrella”. Work went from early morning until late evening. The project was completed in a record nine months. The semi-transparent polycarbonate roof, at the time a unique material for Belarus, manufactured in Switzerland, was laid on an ornate metal framework made of 18,000 rods securely connected to each other. The roof reached 25 meters in height and 120 meters in length. Similar structures were installed at the stadium in Beijing.

Thanks to the modernization, the amphitheatre’s seating capacity increased to more than 6,200 (previously 5,400). The stage was also updated: two LED screens were installed.

In 2007, a new art café Maestro opened inside the amphitheatre building. According to the press, its menu included blue shark steaks and frog legs.

Among the key events of the 16th festival were the presentation concert Hello, Festival (its performers were the first to test the acoustics of the renovated stage), the opening and closing gala concerts, as well as the International Pop Song Performers Contest Vitebsk and the International Children’s Music Contest Vitebsk. The official opening of Slavianski Bazaar took place on 6 July. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko presented the special award Through Art to Peace and Mutual Understanding. French singer Patricia Kaas performed for the audience, along with Belarusian pop stars Anatoly Yarmolenko, Piotr Yelfimov, and others.

The gala concert of Belarusian masters of arts was dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the great Belarusian literary figures Yakub Kolas and Yanka Kupala.

Both the young performers’ contest and the children’s music contest featured 22 participants from 19 countries. The Grand Prix of the adult competition was awarded to a Ukrainian performer, while among the young talents the winner was Belarusian singer Andrei Kunets.

As part of the festival, a regional pottery celebration took place. Organizers brought half a ton of clay from Bobruisk and held an unforgettable pottery master class for city residents. Russian artist Nadezhda Babkina purchased several clay pots as souvenirs from the festival.

The key events of the 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk will take place on 16-19 July, with the first concerts scheduled for 14 July.