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‘Through art to peace and understanding’: Memorable moments of the 9th Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk

MINSK, 19 June (BelTA) – The 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk is now just 27 days away. BelTA invites readers to dive into the archives to revisit the most memorable moments from every edition of the festival, year by year.

Today, we turn to the 2000 festival, which ran from 3 July through 11 July. It drew representatives from all Slavic nations, setting a true record for the event. The 9th edition of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk welcomed 5,300 participants and guests from 23 countries. The main stage at the Summer Amphitheater hosted 16 concerts.

“The Slavic Family of the Planet” could well sum up the theme of the grand opening gala, held on 5 July. Addressing the concert, Aleksandr Lukashenko, Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Belarus-Russia Union State and President of Belarus, remarked: “The festival lives by the idea of ‘Through art to peace and mutual understanding.’”

The concert “Springs of Belarus” lingered long in the audience’s memory. It was a flamboyant, vibrant folklore show featuring top Belarusian ensembles alongside others performers of folk songs.

Notably, the guest performers, Russia’s Kubantsy ensemble and Ukraine’s Yavir, sang beautifully in Belarusian, a gesture that underscored their respect for the festival’s hosts. The concert “Stars of Russian Ballet,” directed by Andris Liepa, stood out not only for its star-studded lineup but also for its strong dramaturgy, with classical pas de deux alternating with contemporary choreography in a neoclassical vein. Ukrainian artists, appearing as guests, showcased their national dance traditions. The festival’s centerpiece was the international song contest Vitebsk-2000, in which 20 young competitors from 17 countries vied for the top prize.

The international festival-contest of children’s concert programs drew more participants than in previous years. The children’s program turned five years old that year. Vitebsk hosted 777 young singers, dancers, and circus performers from 13 countries, including folk dance ensembles, children’s choirs, pop groups, and circus troupes.

For the first time in the festival’s history, a bard music concert was held. This genre enjoys a vast following and is especially cherished in Vitebsk, a city long renowned for its songwriters and bard festivals.

Also making its debut was a theatrical project. The program of the first theater mini-festival featured stars of stage and screen. Marina Neyolova, Nikolai Karachentsov, Lyubov Polishchuk, Sergei Bezrukov, and other famous actors took part in creative meet-and-greets and took the stage in theatrical productions.

Symbolically, the festival’s closing chord was struck by the gala concert of pop stars and composers from Slavic nations, titled “We Shall Remain in Songs.” Accompanied by the State Concert Orchestra of Belarus under the baton of Mikhail Finberg, the program showcased the finest works of Igor Luchenok, Eduard Khanok, Vladimir Mulyavin, Alexandra Pakhmutova, and other celebrated composers.

The main events of the 35th edition of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk will take place from 16 July through 19 July, with the opening concerts already scheduled for 14 July.