Press releases

4 Jun 2026

Vytoki in Svetlogorsk explores Silver Springs, national cuisine, and age-old customs

SVETLOGORSK, 4 June (BelTA) - The Vytoki sports and cultural festival is exploring the economic, cultural, and historical potential of Svetlogorsk District, BelTA has learned.

This year, the city of Svetlogorsk has become the host of the Vytoki sports and cultural festival. An introductory press tour brought together journalists from various parts of the country in the district center.

The sightseeing tour started at the Svetlogorsk Historical and Local Lore Museum. It is always ready to share the legends and secrets of one of the youngest cities in the country. Svetlogorsk appeared on the map of the country in 1961; before that it was the village of Shatilki. In its new status, the city developed as an industrial center. Director of Svetlogorsk Historical and Local Lore Museum Georgy Nevdakh emphasized that the historical chronicle of the district originates from this institution.

Next on the program was the local tourist and industrial facilities. A place of attraction for those seeking to relax away from the city noise and improve their health has long been the Silver Springs health resort. This multidisciplinary health center has been operating for over 50 years. Comprehensive rehabilitation for children is also available here. Approximately 12,000 people, including foreign citizens, undergo health and wellness programs here annually. The center has well-developed medical treatment facilities, including a swimming pool, a gym, and three artesian wells.

The health center demonstrated its treatment and diagnostic equipment to the guests. It offers a wide range of procedures, from massages, carboxytherapy and ozone therapy, shockwave therapy, radiofrequency lifting to various types of herbal tea and mineral water.

Director of the Silver Springs health resort Stanislav Skirkovsky shared ambitious expansion plans. Design and estimate documentation is being prepared for the reconstruction of one of the buildings to turn in into first-class and luxury place. This project has a pronounced tourism focus.

Another stop on the route was the Svetlogorsk production subsidiary of Kalinkovichi Dairy Plant. Director Vitaly Sushko introduced visitors to the specifics of the production process. The company processes 150 tonnes of milk per day in two shifts. It produces more than 30 types of cheese.

SvetlogorskKhimvolokno was another production facility to visit. General Director Vitaly Osipenko gave a guided tour of the company’s exhibition.

The gastronomic part of the tour continued with the Food with Meaning project. As emphasized by Valentina Dynich, director of the ArtHaos gallery, which is one of the festival organizers, the economic, industrial, and cultural components are inextricably linked as you get to know any region of the country. This year, Vytoki is exploring the multifaceted calling card of Svetlogorsk District, including through a gastronomic perspective with an emphasis on the authenticity of local cuisine.

In the evening, young artists will be treated to an engaging interactive event called stART in the park on Kalinin Street. Together with a team of Belarusian artists, the children will complete the colorful decoration of the site for a new multi-purpose complex for skating and sports. The unique folk art of straw weaving was the source of inspiration for decorating the skate-roller park this year.

The first day of the festival continued with an open-air screening of the film The Turning Point. This film was created by the Belarusfilm film studio with the support of the Belarusian Rowing Federation.

Tomorrow, participants and guests of the festival will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of sports movement and cultural traditions, and learn more about regional brands. The most energetic and active will be drawn into the Olympic Quest with valuable prizes. The program also includes clinics from champions, creative and sports activities for the whole family, and performances by Belarusian pop stars.

The Vytoki sports and cultural festival was first held in 2021. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in it. The organizers of the Vytoki festival are the National Olympic Committee, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee and the ArtHaos and BelBrandAudit organizations.