Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: January 2015

New Year illumination in Minsk

New Year and Christmas in Belarus

New Year holidays is a great time to see Belarus’ famous landmarks, to learn more about the national culture and traditions, and to take part in unique folk rites. During the holidays Minsk and other cities of the country entertain local residents and visitors by numerous open air celebrations, parades, processions of fairytale characters, souvenir fairs, and ice skating at skating rinks. Those looking for eventful and educational experience will certainly appreciate New Year tours and excursions, performances and concerts, music soirees and magnificent balls in ancient castles and mansions.

When: Till mid-January 2015
Where: Concert halls, parks of Minsk and other cities

Slutsk belts to go on display in Minsk

Slutsk belts are a unique relic of the Belarusian people and part of the world cultural heritage. These masterpieces of weaving art were made in the 18th - 19th centuries. The most famous manufactory making these belts was in Slutsk and was owned by the Radziwill dukes. Since ancient times, elaborate kontush belts made of silk, gold and silver threads were a mandatory accessory of ceremonial costume of the nobility of Rzeczpospolita. The belts were usually worn on top of a kontush, a long robe with long and loose sleeves. The exhibition in Minsk will feature six Slutsk belts loaned from the National Museum in Warsaw which is known for its rich collections of belts. Five belts which will be on display in Minsk were made by Slutsk Manufactory in the period when it was led by Yan and Leon Madjarski (1767-1807). One belt was made after 1807.

When: 6 November 2014 – 4 April 2015
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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Lady Doll exhibition

The exhibition is timed to the 100th anniversary of boudoir dolls that came to replace expensive porcelain dolls after the First World War. Boudoir dolls originated in France. They were made from composite materials and papier-mache and covered with silk. The most popular doll characters were dancers, chansonniers and sailors. The exposition in Minsk features about 70 modern and old-time dolls made by Belarusian and Russian craftsmen. Apart from fairytale princesses and noblewomen clad in splendid attire, one can see wizards, elves, mermaids, book characters… The guests of honor - the famous artisans Galina Zakharova and Yulia Ralnikova – will present their latest works and share some trade secrets. The participants of the exposition will take part in the Lady Boudoir Doll contest timed to the centennial anniversary of boudoir dolls.

When: 28 November – 11 January
Where: National History Museum, Minsk

Exhibition of Ancient Slavic Manuscripts in Gomel

More than 40 facsimile editions of old Slavic manuscripts are on display at the exhibition "History In Letters". The facsimile copies were made as accurate and close to the originals as possible: perfectly recreated texts, font style, size and color of pages and, of course, illustrations, which can be compared to jewelry given the intricate work and fine design. The exhibition will showcase the famous pieces of literature: "Tale of Bygone Years", "The Tale of Igor's Campaign”, the Ipatiev and Laurentian Chronicles and also the Radziwill Chronicle, The Illustrated Chronicle of Ivan the Terrible, The Legend of Mamayev Battle, The Legend of Boris and Gleb, The Story of Zosimus and Savvatii...

When: 29 November-January 2015
Where: Museum of the Palace of the Rumiantsevs and Paskevichs, Gomel

Andrei Smolyak’s Exhibition in Minsk

One of the most extravagant artists, Honorary Academician of the European Academy of Arts, Belarusian impressionist Andrei Smolyak has taken part in dozens of exhibitions throughout his artistic career. In 1999, he was awarded the silver medal of the European Parliament in recognition of his contribution to European art. The artist’s paintings are kept in private collections and museums in Russia, Belarus, France, Italy and the United States. Andrei Smolyak’s paintings are distinguished by Belarusian lyricism, emotionalism of postmodernism, and shimmering soft light. The exhibition “Life. Painting. Love” in Minsk will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the artist. The exhibition includes about 100 paintings from the early sketches to the famous art-project "Living Paintings” and also new paintings.

When: 2 December-19 January
Where: Mikhail Savitsky Art Gallery, Minsk

Chocolate Museum Nicolya in Minsk

The prominent Ukrainian confectioner Nikolai Popov has made many original masterpieces, including the chocolate room in Mir Castle, miniatures of the Rumyantsevs-Paskevichs Palace in Gomel and the New Castle in Grodno. Nikolai Popov will present a new exhibition in the Belarusian capital. Visitors will be able to see over 200 exclusive sweet works such as a chocolate table with antiques, the large and small crowns of the Russian Empire, Faberge eggs, the famous picture The Chocolate Girl, the two-meter Eiffel tower that weighs 45kg and is made of 512 parts. The new exhibits include samples of Belarusian art, weapons, masks, household articles and even the popular Belarusian cuisine dish — draniki… The exhibition will be built around the world’s largest picture that depicts Belarus’ places of interest.

When: 4 December 2014 – 1 May 2015
Where: The National History Museum, Minsk

Impossible Art and Optical Illusions first time ever in Belarus

The exhibition will feature works by Russian artists, who excel at impossible art, a style born in the 1980s. The style heavily relies on visual effects and optical illusions that emerge as one tries to depict impossible things. The first exhibition of the international project took place in Moscow in 2013 and attracted crowds. The Minsk exhibition will feature original works that use various techniques such as painting, drawing, photography, stereoscopic panels, stoving enamel, installation, computer graphics…

When: 15 December – 20 January
Where: Modern Arts Center, Minsk

Zapashny Brothers’ UFO. Circus from Another Planet Show in Minsk

Representatives of the famous circus dynasty Zapashny brothers will present Russia’ first ever circus show without animals in Minsk. The audience will be taken on a stunning trip to the world of aliens. The UFO show will include jaw-dropping acts from contortionists, gymnasts, jugglers and clowns, original music and cutting-edge technologies. The show will feature about 90 performers, including people with super abilities. Among them is participant of the Paralympics closing ceremony in Sochi, winner of the Minute of Fame TV show, break dancer with disabilities Viktor Kochkin, Lyudmila and Tamara Titchenkova sisters, both over two meters tall, and one of Russia’s best acrobats Alexei Kuzmin.

When: 1 – 5 January
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk

January Music Nights in Brest

The music forum will gather more than 300 singers from 11 countries in Brest, Belarus’ Capital of Culture in 2015. Partaking in the opening show will be the legendary baritone, holder of St Nikolas the Wonderworker Order, Person of the Year 2013, People’s Artist of Russia Sergei Zakharov who will perform some arias from operas and old Russian romances. The music forum will feature world-renowned artists and bands: the Silesian String Quartet from Poland, the New Russian Quartet, the U.S. Gary Guthman Jazz Quartet and its leader Gary Guthman. The festival will include the opera in two acts Michal Kleofas Oginski. Unknown Portrait, to mark the 250th anniversary of the outstanding composer. The forum will also comprise an organ music concert, the Christmas Ball and the closing ceremony that will feature People’s Artist of the USSR, tenor soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia Vladislav Pyavko.

When: 9 – 12 January
Where: Brest Academic Drama Theater, the Shirma Music College, the Holy Cross’ Day Church, Brest
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Organist Marek Stefanski in Minsk

One of the most famous organists in the world, Professor of the Academy of Music in Krakow Marek Stefanski has many fans in Germany, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Russia… Apart from solo concerts, the musician performs with the best singers, choirs, and musicians in the world. Marek Stefanski’s concert in Minsk Masterpieces of the World Organ Art will feature immortal music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt, Louis Lefebure-Wely, Jeremiah Clarke, and Feliks Nowowiejski…

When: 17 January
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic, Minsk

Camille Thurman and HAMMOND-B-TRIO in Minsk

The New York Jazz Princess, flutist, vocalist, and composer Camille Thurman has a unique voice with a five-octave vocal range. Thanks to her virtuoso saxophone playing she is often compared with Gene Ammons and Stanley Turrentine. The jazz diva performs world-famous songs in a modern interpretation making them sound original. In Minsk Camille Thurman will present her new program Christmas Jazz jointly with a great band led by jazz pianist, organist, and flutist Vladimir Nesterenko. The sound of the specially brought Hammond organ will immerse the audience in the Christmas atmosphere of the New York of the 1960s…

When, where: 
30 January – Palace of the Republic, Evgeny Vladimirov's Jazz Club
31 January – Trade Unions Palace