Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 15 June (BelTA) - The International Festival of Arts Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk generates a high-quality cultural television content which unites countries and nations, Belarus Information Minister Lilia Ananich told BelTA during her visit to Vitebsk on 13 June to discuss the preparation of the city for the festival.

"I want to emphasize that Slavonic Bazaar is not only a social and cultural project. It is a project that brings together countries and peoples in the information space. When we see how the Belarusian television, ORT and other television channels, rebroadcast stories, best concerts during the year, we understand that it is the content that many channels would like to have. It means that we not only create a gorgeous holiday but an excellent TV product with a cultural component,” the minister emphasized.

The list of journalists who regularly get accredited at the festival from year to year, according to Lilia Ananich, attests to the fact that the festival is interesting, relevant, and every time it has a new signature moment.

It is not only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that handles the issues of invitation and accreditation of foreign journalists at the festival. "The national broadcasting company has invited its partners, so we are waiting for the representatives of the European Broadcasting Union, the TV companies of the CIS countries. The Information Ministry also invites its colleagues. I think that all the countries with which we cooperate in the framework of intergovernmental relations will be represented at the festival. Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Belarus come here with pleasure,” added Lilia Ananich.

She also stressed that it is important that journalists should be involved in the work to generate more positive flows in the information space. "Culture is another bridge towards good positive information, the bridge of friendship and cooperation. We will honor the best journalists following the Slavonic Bazaar. Last year the directorate of the festival took a decision to reinstate the Golden Pen award for the best coverage of the festival,” the minister said.

The organizing committee of the festival held a session in Vitebsk on 13 June. Before that, its members inspected the city infrastructure and the main concert venues.