Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: August 2013

Slutsk Belts exhibition

Slutsk belts are a Belarusian relic famous all over the world. These belts were created in the 18th-19th centuries at manufactories, the most famous of which was the one located in Slutsk and belonging to the Radziwill family. The belts were made to an intricate technology using silk, gold and silver threads. Back then they were part of a men’s costume being the evidence of power and wealth of their owner. Four belts will be exhibited, all dating to the late 18th to early 19th century and loaned by the Lviv History Museum. Other exhibits worth seeing are portraits of the Belarusian gentry dated by the 18th-19th centuries.

When: 8 May 2013 – 18 April 2014
Where: Minsk, National History Museum
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"Resurgent Pictures" by Andrei Smolyak

An unusual art gallery has been arranged on the fence along Chelyuskintsev Park in Minsk. An extravagant Belarusian artist Andrei Smolyak and his wife Olga presented a project “Resurgent Pictures” depicting famous artists, athletes, businessmen and politicians as characters of Andrei Smolyak’s works. The project was materialized with the help of a team of professionals – designers, costume artists, make-up artists, decorators and photographers. The revived pictures portray famous Belarusian personalities, including Maxim Mirnyi, Darya Domracheva, Angelica Agurbash, Anatoly Yarmolenko, director Andrei Kureichik, Belarusian stars of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest… The artist has plans to depict Monica Belucci, supermodel Yekaterina Domankova and famous athletes.

When: 26 May-November 2013
Where: Chelyuskintsev Park, Minsk

"The Artist and the City". Exhibition of copies of Kazimir Malevich’s paintings

The project "The Artist and the City" invites Minskers and visitors of the capital to get a feel of the legacy of the great artists whose life and art were closely linked with our country. In 1919, the author of the Black Square moved to Vitebsk where he ran a studio at Marc Chagall’s art school. In 1922 Malevich finished his main theoretical work – The Non-objective World: The Manifesto of Suprematism. The open-air exposition of the copies of 18 paintings of the great avant-garde artist offers a casual atmosphere to reflect on the work of Malevich. The copies will be accompanied by notes in Belarusian, Russian and English.

When: 6 June - 20 September
Where: Yakub Kolas Square, Minsk
Details 

Exhibition “Portraits of Rulers and Magnates of Grand Duchy of Lithuania”

The exhibition offers a unique collection of portraits of the outstanding statesmen of the period that shaped the development of the Belarusian nation – the period of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The exposition features paintings borrowed from the major cultural treasuries of Lviv - Historical Museum and the National Gallery of Art - also Volyn Local History Museum. The exhibited paintings display the political role of the rulers and magnates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Rzeczpospolita in the 14th-18th centuries and give a glimpse at their personal life. Visitors will be impressed by the portraits of noble women and dazzling beauties of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, such as Barbara Radziwiłł, Eleonor Maria Josefa of Austria, wife of King John III Marie Casimire Sobieska and other highborn ladies.

When: 8 May-26 August
Where: National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk

ABC Show in Minsk

ABC Show features the world’s best TV commercials. The show is getting as popular with the Minsk audience as the Night of the Ad Eaters. The public will be offered the most spectacular and eccentric videos that earned the biggest number of awards from around the world in 2012, including Grand Prix, gold, silver and bronze medals of international festivals, like Cannes Lions, Golden Drum, Cristal Festival, and British Television Advertising Awards.

When: 1-2 August
Where: Oktyabr movie theater, Minsk

Festival of arts and crafts Dribinskie Torzhki

This flamboyant festival is held in the town of Dribin famous for felt boot making. The festival is organized on the first Saturday of August every year. The public will see Belarusian craftsmen weaving bast shoes, creating amazing things from straw and willow, embroidering rushnyks and tablecloths. Felt boots made by local artisans will be the highlight of the Dribin fair. Felt boot making is inscribed on Belarus’ intangible property list and might be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The artisans will present warm felt boots, magerka hats (white felt hats), gloves, decorations from wool and many more. The festival will offer activities catering to every taste: concerts and performances of music bands, master classes in craftwork, tasting of Belarusian traditional dishes, quizzes for children and adults.

When: 3 August
Where: Dribin, Mogilev Oblast

6th national fen haymaking championship Sporovskie Senokosy

This spectacular event is the country’s only haymaking competition. It draws best hay makers from around Belarus and abroad. Winners will advance to the European haymaking championship. The domestic selection will be held in a picturesque lowland area of the famous Pripyat Polesie – the Sporovsky national wildlife reserve. The championship features solo and team competitions in different sections (from 50m to 100m long, and from 1.5m to 3m wide). You will never know for sure who is going to win until the last minute. After all, the task is quite challenging: competitors will have to deal with marshlands, high grass and canes, unpredictable weather… Female and junior participants are also welcome to take part in the championship.

When: 3 August
Where: Sporovsky national wildlife reserve, the village of Zditovo, Beryoza District, Brest Oblast

Virgin Hodegetria Day

Every year on 10 August Belarus’ smallest town – Disna – celebrates Virgin Hodegetria Day and arranges a mass procession to honor the iconographic depiction of the Theotokos. The miraculous Virgin Hodegetria icon was painted on a wooden base in the 15th century. It swam along the Western Dvina River and was found ashore in Disna in the 18th century. Centuries ago a church was erected in honor of the icon. Today the icon can be found in the Resurrection Church of Disna. On 10 August Disna residents and visitors join a solemn procession that marches from the Resurrection Church to the Hodegetria Church and back, say a prayer and pay homage to the icon.

When: 10 August
Where: Disna, Miory District, Vitebsk Oblast

Sixth International Culinary Festival Motalskiya Prysmaki

The most "delicious" festival in Belarus, which has become known around the world, is held in the village of Motal, Ivanovo District. The local attractions include the house-turned-museum of first President of Israel Chaim Weizmann and the museum of folk art. Nearby there are also the former estate of the Dostoyevsky family, the birthplace of artist and composer Napoleon Orda, the Struve Arc points included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traditionally in August Motal expects numerous guests for the big festival dedicated to the Belarusian cuisine. Here you can taste traditional dishes prepared to old recipes, attend many tastings of dairy products, deli meats and savory pastries. Special stalls in Motal will feature family dishes, the recipes of which are passed from generation to generation. The program of the festival Motalskiya Prysmaki includes contests, songs and dances, performances of folklore groups, folk customs and ancient games, arts and crafts exhibitions.

When: 10-11 August
Where: Motal, Ivanovo District, Brest Oblast
Details

Janusz Leon Wiśniewski in Minsk

The famous Polish writer, author of the acclaimed novel "Loneliness in the Net" Janusz Leon Wiśniewski will come to Minsk for a presentation. In the run-up to his birthday Mr Wiśniewski will present his new book "On Facebook with the son". A unique art installation OZART will be arranged during the visit of the writer. It integrates art and modern technology, literature and the Internet, films and the film industry. The project will also feature auctions of the exhibits. Special guest Janusz Leon Wiśniewski will select the best work that will receive a special prize.

When: 17 August
Where: Minsk History Museum, Minsk

Cucumber Festival in Shklov

In August the town of Shklov, dubbed as the "cucumber capital of Belarus”, is going to welcome many guests for a big festival dedicated to the vegetable the locals have grown since the 16th century. The square with the sculptural composition "Cucumber" will be the venue for many interesting events. The trade stalls will offer vegetables from private gardens, pickles and marinades, tasty salads, unusual cucumber-honey sandwiches and even cucumber vodka "ogurtsovka". Here you will not only taste but also learn how to make home-made pickles. The main character in the dramatized street procession will be Shklov Cucumber, who will parade accompanied by ladies and gentlemen to the sounds of the orchestra. The day-long program will feature concerts, "cucumber" contests, performances for children, and the all-prize lottery. Souvenirs, including "cucumber" ones, can be purchased at the arts and crafts exhibition.

When: 17 August
Where: Shklov, Mogilev Oblast

Flower Festival 2013

Riot of colors, unique flower compositions, fragrances, fun and good humor… This is Flower Festival which theme is My Heritage - My Motherland. The festival has become a signature event of the Zheludok village in Grodno Oblast. During the festival days the streets, yards, windows and balconies of the houses in this village are adorned with flowers and everybody takes to the main square to enjoy a colorful procession. There are many other things to do on this day: people can partake in the contests for the best flower composition and bouquets, attend presentations by amateur gardeners, a fashion parade in flower costumes, photo and picture exhibitions and master classes in handworks made from flowers and petals. One can also consult with the specialists from the Botanic Gardens and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on how to grow flowers and decorative plants. A fair featuring traditional recipes will give you an opportunity to taste preserves, drinks made of healing flowers and herbs and the Belarusian national cuisine. The program of the festival includes concerts, soirées and funny competitions. Craftsmen will present original souvenirs. History enthusiasts will get an opportunity to visit the former ancestral estate of the Svyatopolk-Chetvertinsky dukes.

When: 17-18 August
Where: Zheludok village, Shchuchin District, Grodno Oblast

Krevo Castle festival

A festival near the walls of once-awe-inspiring Krevo Castle where the famous dynastic union was formed will bring together participants and guests from many countries. The festival makes an attempt to reproduce the atmosphere of the medieval times: knights and dames from historical reenactment clubs will organize magnificent shows, with theater, dance and song clubs presenting their view of the authentic culture. The festival will feature master classes in folk dances, songs and games along with contests and concerts of local folk groups. Guests will be able to get familiar with traditional Belarusian crafts, buy souvenirs and learn to cook the Belarusian national food. During the Krevo Castle festival volunteers will present their initiatives concerning the protection of the Belarusian cultural heritage.

When: 24 August
Where: Krevo Castle, the village of Krevo, Smorgon District, Grodno Oblast
Details

Annensky Fair (Annensky Kirmash)

Held in the Belarusian town of Zelva, the fair Annensky Kirmash has been one of the largest and most famous fairs in Europe, the second one after the fair in Leipzig since the 18th century. The fair was named after Saint Anna. The fair would last for about a month and would gather at least 5,000 merchants. Zelva was the place to buy horses, tobacco, spices, clothes, footwear, art products made by craftsmen from various countries – Greece, Turkey, Persia, and many other ones. Singers, illusionists, jugglers, acrobats, trained bears from the famous Smorgon Academy would perform for the guests of the fair. It was said back then that Zelva and its residents live according to a strange rule: they wither for 11 months and live for only one month. In the 21st century Annensky Fair was reborn to grow more interesting and larger every year. On fair days it is a place to see long stalls full of versatile merchandise, souvenirs, and delicatessen. The fair features theatrical concerts, performances by folk music bands and folk rhyme performers, puppet shows, shows of stylized 18th century apparel, a craftsmen town, presentations of farm tourism estates, literature recitals and artistic expositions, sport competitions. In the past Zelva was the place for buying pedigree horses from various parts of the world via auctions, this is why an exhibition of horses and equestrian sport competitions are part of the fair as well as a contest of carriages and cart riding.

When: 24 August
Where: Zelva, Grodno Oblast

Summer Music Academy in Mir Castle

The music academy Dresden – Music of August of Saxony’s Court will gather participants from Belarus, Germany, Poland, and the USA in Mir Castle. Taking part in the forum will be students and professional musicians, teachers and enthusiasts of ancient performing practices, soloists and bands playing baroque-age and modern-day instruments. The number includes flute, hoboy, blockflute, traverso flute, violin, viol, lute, harpsichord, violoncello, and bassoon. Visitors will be offered master classes, discussions, and reports covering the past and the future of ancient music, its dynamics and various branches in the East and the West, the cultural and historical context of the early 18th century. The key theme of the Academy will be baroque age music, which was born during the high days of the Dresden court of August of Saxony, Back then the court orchestra gathered the most skilled and famous musicians of that time.

When: 26-31 August
Where: Mir Castle, Grodno Oblast

20th Belarusian Written Language Day in Bykhov

The national holiday Belarusian Written Language Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of September. Throughout the country Belarusians pay tribute to creators of the national written language, literature, and education. The celebration offers an opportunity to get in touch with ancient and modern culture of Belarus, get familiar with writers and poets, reporters and publishers. It is not accidental that the celebration coincides with the start of an academic year. A major national festival is held in towns, which are considered centers of culture, science, literature, and book printing. The celebration took place in Polotsk in 1994 for the first time, while this year the town of Bykhov, Mogilev Oblast will be the capital city of the Written Language Day. On the celebration days Bykhov will host presentations of books, literature meetings, concerts, exhibitions of souvenirs and folk festivals. A sculptural composition about 2.5 meters high will be unveiled in the old center of the town near Bykhov Castle. It is dedicated to a unique monument to the Belarusian written language — the Barkulabovo Chronicle.

When: 31 August – 1 September
Where: Bykhov, Mogilev Oblast