Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: December 2012

17th  International Festival of Organ Music "Bells of Sophia"

Beautiful live organ music will sound in the concert hall of the ancient St Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk. Music lovers will enjoy performances of the best musicians from Russia, Ukraine, Switzerland, Italy, and Poland.

Date: 28 October – 2 December
Place: Vitebsk region, Polotsk, the Cathedral of Saint Sophia
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1st Minsk Contemporary Art Triennial BelExpo-Art-2012

The expo features works of art and artistic solutions of more than 116 artists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Serbia from 1990- 2010. These are a wide variety of works in numerous genres: painting, sculpture, graphics, photography and installations. The expo program also includes contemporary theatrical performances and fashion shows, and interesting musical projects, which will contribute to the unforgettable atmosphere of audacious creativity.

Date: 23 November- 9 December
Place: Minsk

Cultural Project Museum Labyrinths

The Museum Labyrinths project offers a fascinating game trip to ten museums in Minsk. Artists, historical reenactment clubs, ballad songs composers, scrapbooking and street-art professionals take part in the online events.

Date: 20 October – 9 December
Place: Minsk

Marc Chagall: Life and Love Exhibition

The works of the outstanding 20th-century artist Marc Chagall will be on display in Minsk within several months. The exhibition of the works of the famous native of Belarus from the collections of the Museum of Israel will conclude the program of celebrations dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the artist. The exhibition features 89 works from different periods (1910-1961) representing the multifaceted art of the artist: landscape paintings, portraits, genre compositions, illustrations to literary works and the Bible.

Date: 1 November- 28 January 2013
Place: National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk
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3rd  Edition of the Minsk International Digital Art Festival Terra Nova

Terra Nova will feature computer graphics, digital painting, multimedia art and other contemporary art techniques. The program includes an exhibition of digital photos, video shows, and a contest among creative minds from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Estonia and other countries.

Date: 29 November- 18 December, exhibition will last until 23 January 2013
Place: Rakurs Gallery, National Library of Belarus, Minsk

23rd Sollertinsky International Music Festival

Vitebsk will play host to a wonderful musical feast. The festival will be made of the concert programs featuring classical and contemporary music, scientific readings, exhibitions of arts and theatrical performances. By tradition, the playbill includes eminent musicians: the Stravinsky String Quarter of the St Petersburg Philharmonic, the Lundstrem Trio

Date: 3-22 December
Place: Vitebsk

3rd Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum

It’s the event of the musical-theatrical year in Belarus. Belarusian opera stars of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera, soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre and the Bolshoi Theatre will perform operas Grey Legend, Evgeny Onegin, Prince Igor and the National Opera and Ballet Sofia opera Siegfried.

Date: 16-23 December
Place: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk
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Handmade Crafts Fair Mlyn

One of the biggest exhibitions gathers skilful craftsmen from all Belarus.
The exhibition will feature exclusive handiworks made in different styles and techniques of craftsmanship: ceramics, embroidery, macramé, woodcarving, can weaving, metalsmith, floristics, jewellery and many others.

Date: 14-16 December
Place: National Exhibition Centre BelExpo, Minsk
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19th International  New Year trade-fair of presents and souvenirs

On the eve of celebration of Christmas and New Year Belarus hosts traditional trade-fair of presents and souvenirs from all over the world. The guests will get into the spirit of festivities, enjoy surprises  and  will be able to buy numerous  offbeat presents for relatives and friends.

Date: 17-31 December
Place: National Exhibition Centre BelExpo, Minsk

Winter Season Opening in the Belarusian Ski Resorts

With the onset of cold snowy weather the Belarusian Ski Resorts open for winter sports and active holiday lovers. Downhill and cross country skiing, snowboard, tubing, skating – everything is here. Gyms, bathhouses and saunas, restaurants are opened all year round.

Date: December
Place: National ski center Silichi, Logoisk Mountain Ski Sports Complex, National Olympic training center for winter sports Raubichi, ski center Solar Valley, leisure park Yakut mountains, sports skiing complex Mozyr.

Christmas and New Year Festivities

The winter holidays in Belarus last for few weeks and include Christmas ( 25 December), New Year (31 December  – 1 January), Orthodox Christmas (7January), Julian calendar New Year (13-14January). During the holidays traditional festivities next to Christmas trees, concerts, fireworks, sporting events and performances for kids take place. Traditionally, New Year's Week in Minsk begins with the festive parade of Santa Clauses and Snow Maidens (Snegurochkas) and lighting of the main Christmas tree on the Oktyabrskaya square in Minsk. In the beginning of January the stylized Christmas balls will take place for the first time in old Mir Castle.

Date: end of December – middle of January
Place: concert halls, stadiums, city parks in Minsk and other towns and villages in Belarus.