Press releases

VITEBSK, 16 July (BelTA) – Special diplomas of the Union State Permanent Committee “For creative realization of ideas of friendship of peoples of Belarus and Russia” were presented at the 25^th international festival of arts Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk, BelTA has learned.

The awards ceremony took place at the concert Union State Invites… at the Summer Amphitheater on 15 July. Diplomas and prizes were given to singers Olga Kormukhina and Ruslan Alekhno, the Alexandrov Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army, Director General of the Vitebsk Culture Center, Director of the international festival of arts Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk Alexander Sidorenko.

The awards were presented by State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota. In his message of greetings he noted that the Union State Permanent Committee is doing its best to facilitate the Belarus-Russia border crossing for Belarusian and Russian citizens, help them in education and employment in the Union State space. “People can be forced to do or build something together. But they cannot be forced to have a rest together. People should be willing to meet with friends, visit places where they feel calm. National and local authorities, residents of Vitebsk are doing everything to help the guests of the city feel at home,” Grigory Rapota said.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Assembly’s commission for social policy, science, culture, and humanitarian issues, member of the committee for constitutional legislation and state construction at Russia’s Federation Council Yelena Afanasiyeva read out a message of greetings from Speaker of Russia’s State Duma, Chairman of the Union State Parliamentary Assembly Sergei Naryshkin. “Your festival has become a good tradition uniting national cultures; it strengthens friendship and understanding between our nations. I am convinced that the 25^th festival Slavonic Bazaar will become a bright event in the cultural life of the CIS member states and will be appreciated by the guests of the forum. I wish you unforgettable impressions and excellent mood,” the message of greetings reads.