Press releases

27 Jun 2026

What surprised guests at 2008 Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk

An archive photo

MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – Nineteen 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 2008 festival.

The 17th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, held on 10-19 July, brought together participants from 34 countries. For the first time, guests arrived from Venezuela, Norway, Portugal, and South Africa.

To mark the festival’s opening, one million flowers were planted in flowerbeds, on lawns, streets, squares, and along the slopes of the Western Dvina River. Flowerbeds shaped like a treble clef and the festival’s signature cornflower decorated the area around the Summer Amphitheatre. Nearby, a new sculptural composition titled Street Clown, weighing about one tonne and cast at a Moscow factory, was installed. Its author is Vitebsk sculptor Ivan Kazak, and it was gifted to the city by Nikolai Chelnokov, an Honored Artist of Russia.

At the official opening, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko welcomed festival participants and guests. He presented the Union State Awards in Literature and Art for 2007-2008 to People’s Artist of Belarus Mikhail Finberg, People’s Artist of Belarus Vladimir Gostyukhin, and People’s Artist of Russia Sergei Artsibashev. The special presidential award Through Art to Peace and Mutual Understanding was bestowed upon People’s Artist of the USSR Aleksandra Pakhmutova.

A jubilee concert titled Restless Heart honored People’s Artist of the USSR and Belarus, composer Igor Luchenok, one of the festival’s founders, who turned 70 in 2008. Among those who came to congratulate him were Aleksandra Pakhmutova and Iosif Kobzon. Songs by Igor Luchenok were performed by People’s Artists of Belarus Aleksandr Tikhanovich, Yadviga Poplavskaya, Anatoly Yarmolenko, and young Belarusian singers.

Igor Luchenok recalled in an interview: “I wrote the anthem of the Union State to lyrics by Vladimir Firsov… And with Nikolai Dobronravov I wrote the song: ‘I cannot predict fate… If Russia is in my heart, then Belarus is in my heart as well.’”

The gala concert of Belarusian masters of the arts, Belarus – an Eternal Song, was held under the motto Our past, present, and future are united by song. It concluded the nationwide campaign We Are Belarusians! Historical scenes were recreated by knight clubs, the State Dance Ensemble of Belarus, and actors of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre. A special song for the festival, We Are the Center of Europe, was performed by two Anatolys, People’s Artist of Belarus Anatoly Yarmolenko and his grandson, together with the ensemble Syabry. On Belarus Culture Day, the Summer Amphitheatre hosted a charity concert by Yakov Naumenko and other popular pop and folk performers.

The gala concert of Russian masters of the arts showcased the cultural diversity of Russia’s peoples, featuring creative groups from various regions. The most exotic performance came from the National Song and Dance Ensemble of the Peoples of the North Chukotka, dancers appeared on stage accompanied by live reindeer in harness.

In the 17th International Pop Song Performers Contest Vitebsk 2008, 24 young singers from 24 countries took the stage. For the first time, artists from the Netherlands and Norway took part. The draw was organized in an unusual way: a knighting ceremony was held near the town hall. Contestants and jury members were greeted by members of the Vitebsk Historical Reenactment Club dressed in knightly costumes and carrying lit torches. Accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, they walked along the paths of Mayakovsky Square. At the fountain, each participant was invited to choose a scroll; the seal on it concealed the coveted contestant number.

The creative competition consisted of two rounds. After the first day, 15 performers advanced to the final to continue competing for the prestigious award. The Grand Prix went to an artist from Lithuania.

In the 6th International Children’s Music Contest Vitebsk 2008, 20 young talents from 17 countries showcased their vocal abilities. The jury was chaired by People’s Artist of Belarus, composer Eduard Zaritsky.

The festival saw the debut of the Summer KVN Olympiad, featuring 16 teams of humor enthusiasts from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kislovodsk, Magadan, Donbass, Minsk, Grodno, Polotsk, Orsha, and other cities. The jury included well-known singers, Aleksandr Tikhanovich, Anatoly Yarmolenko, and Piotr Yelfimov. The contests combined sports and musical elements. The main prize was awarded to a performer from Russia.

Many Russian artists became the stars of the Celebrity Hour program. Oleg Gazmanov arrived at his press conference on a brand-new bicycle he had just bought in Vitebsk, and later gifted it to the dance ensemble Zorka.

For the first time, the festival hosted a book exhibition-fair featuring Belarusian and Russian publishers. Visitors could browse new releases, purchase books, and get authors’ autographs. There was also a presentation of the album Chagall and Vitebsk, published by the publishing house Belarus.

The City of Craftsmen received a new location in 2008, near the Zadvinye Center of Folk Crafts and Arts. A competition of embroiderers and lace-makers drew large crowds.

One of the festival days featured an off-site concert in Dubrovno, where young Belarusian singers performed at the city stadium.

In 2008, a CD was released featuring songs performed by 20 young artists, laureates of the International Children’s Music Contest Vitebsk from its first five years.

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.