Belarus Events Calendar
DECEMBER 2024
Kinovek: Festival to Mark 100th Anniversary of Belarusian Cinematography
Belarus will celebrate the anniversary of the national cinematography with the national festival Kinovek, which will be held across the country. Throughout the year the festival will present 33 best films from the Belarusfilm studio, which tell the story of the national cinematography development. The festival will feature films of different genres - historical and social films, war and adventure films, and also famous children's films The Adventures of Pinocchio, My Name is Harlequino, War Under the Roofs, Nesterka. The festival opened with a screening of the restored silent film Forest Story (1926) directed by Yuri Tarich and based on Mikhas Charot’s The Swineherd.
When: 28 February – 11 December
Where: Cinema houses of Minsk, oblast and regional centers of Belarus
‘Triumph’: A new program at Belarusian circus
“Triumph” on the arena of the Belarusian State Circus will feature a real constellation of artists from 19 countries, including Australia, Argentina, Italy, Ethiopia, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Colombia, Israel, Finland, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Hungary, DPRK, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia. Minsk audiences will see the spectacular acts by prize-winners and laureates of the 3rd Minsk International Festival of Circus Art, which ended on 22 September with a grand gala concert.
When: 28 September – 1 December
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
Сinemascope #shhh: French New Wave screenings at Monochrome
The Cinemascope #shhh project is opening its 2024 fall season. It continues to introduce viewers to the world's best movies. This time, evening screenings will not be held outdoors, but in the cozy Monochrome Space on Oktyabrskaya Street. Visitors will see the gems of the French New Wave – a film movement that rose to popularity in Paris in the late 1950s. The movement sought to allow directors to skip overwrought narrative in favor of improvisational storytelling. The films are shown in the original language with Russian subtitles.
4 December – Lola (directed by Jacques Demy)
11 December – The Fire Within (directed by Louis Malle)
18 December – L'Immortelle (directed by Alain Robbe-Grillet)
Where: Monochrome Space, 16/3 Oktyabrskaya Street, 2nd floor, Minsk
Excursions into the backstage of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus
How does the Bolshoi Theater live? What happens on stage in between performances? What secrets are kept on the other side of the curtain? You can find this out if you take an excursion into the backstage of the country's main theater. Guides will tell you about the bustling offstage life of the theater, the intricacies of creating props, costumes and scenery, stage installations, as well as the most interesting pages of the theater's history. On weekdays, visitors can see the fire curtain, watch preparations for evening performances, watch how massive scenery is created and talk to theatrical costume designers.
When: 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 27, 28 December
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoy Kommuny Square, Minsk
Yazep Drazdovich's exhibition in Minsk
Yazep Drazdovich is the first Belarusian artist who turned to the theme of space in his art. His interests also lied in literature, history, ethnography, folklore, painting of rugs (malyavanki). He even conducted archaeological excavations! For this incredible versatility, he was dubbed "the Belarusian Leonardo da Vinci". The museum exposition presents painted rugs that had the role of a family amulet, paintings, manuscripts by Yazep Drazdovich, folklore notebooks of the national poet of Belarus Yakub Kolas.
When: from 11 October
Where: Yakub Kolas State Literary and Memorial Museum, 5 Akademicheskaya Street, Minsk
‘Echo of Modernism. From Monet to Kandinsky’ at National Center for Contemporary Arts
Modernism will echo in the National Center for Contemporary Arts through the works of Belarusian authors. The project was inspired by the landmark processes in European art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the new view of the Impressionists on the landscape, the inner world of a person and his fears, the rethinking of the canons of bodily beauty, the avant-garde ideas of Gris, Klee and Kandinsky. Visitors will be taken on an immersive journey into the world of art of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. They will be offered a thematic quest around the exhibition, they will be able to see installations, a special thematic photo zone and information stands with AR technology.
When: 25 October 2024 – 19 January 2025
Where: National Center for Contemporary Arts, 47 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
Exhibition of fans in Mikhail Savitsky Art Gallery
A collection of 26 fans from the mid-18th and early 20th centuries from Mir Castle is on display in the former city manor that used to host social evenings and receptions in the past. The oldest item on view is a French fan of the 1760s, hand painted, carved and gilded. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to trace the history of this elegant ladies' accessory, the fashion trends of the 19th century which are reflected in the variety of décor, design, materials and types of fans. The exposition also tells about its main functions: in addition to its direct function the fan also showed the high status of its owner, emphasizing the high position in society and wealth.
When: 13 November 2024 –26 January 2025
Where: Mikhail Savitsky Art Gallery, 15 Svobody Square, Minsk
Uncle’s Dream premiere in Kupala Theater
The first premiere of the 105th season of the Kupala Theater was the play "Uncle's Dream" based on the same-name story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. This is a new piece by director Dmitry Akimov, who in December 2023 produced the drama "The Dawns Here Are Quiet". For the first time, the Belarusian audience saw the play in 1978, with Zinaida Brovarskaya and Pavel Dubashinsky shining in the main roles. The director recreated the atmosphere of provincial Mordasov and the power struggle between the first lady of the town Maria Moskaleva (Honored Artist Olga Nefedova) and her rival Natalia Paskudina (People's Artist Tamara Mironova). The director decided not to transfer the drama into the present time because "the classical literature touches on ever-lasting topics, for example, the vices of society, which Dostoevsky explores."
When: 7, 18, 27 December
Where: Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater, 7 Engels Street, Minsk
Premiere of Eugene Onegin at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus
The Bolshoi Theater of Belarus presents the premiere of the Eugene Onegin opera which is timed to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. This is the theater's eighth (since 1933) production of Tchaikovsky's work on the country’s main opera stage. Chief director of the Bolshoi Theater Anna Motornaya noted that "on the one hand, this is an ‘encyclopedia of Russian life’, on the other hand, it is a story about a man out of time... Tchaikovsky created an amazing work that resonates with every particle of the soul of a modern person.” The main parts will be performed by both leading soloists of the theater and young artists. Interestingly, the premiere will get its second showing during the 14th Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum.
When: 30 November, 12 December
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoy Kommuny Square, Minsk
The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus
The Nutcracker, one of the symbols of the Christmas and New Year season, returns to the stage of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus in December. For the first time, the fairy-tale ballet was shown in Minsk in 1982. It was produced by the creative tandem of conductor Alexander Anisimov, choreographer Valentin Elizariev and set designer Evgeny Lysik. In October 2020, Valentin Elizariev showed a new production. The choreographer admitted more than once that he was happy to work on the ballet and saw the first act in a dream. According to the artists, his choreography is virtuoso, not easy to perform, but this allows them to demonstrate technique, musicality and, of course, acting skills.
When: 1, 6, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29, 31 December
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoy Kommuny Square, Minsk
Sollertinsky International Music Festival
The Sollertinsky International Music Festival in Vitebsk has a unique feature - it represents a mixture of world classics and national music legacy – melodies and music pieces of the 16th-20th centuries. Teachers and students of Sollertinsky Music College will give a joint concert before the start of the festival. The anniversary edition of the festival will be opened by a concert of Russian pianist Miroslav Kultyshev – laureate of the 13th International Tchaikovsky Competition, winner of the Monte Carlo Piano Masters competition (2012). The music program will continue with concerts of the Symphony Orchestra of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, the Impulse Percussion band, the State Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments Metelitsa, as well as the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Belarus under the baton of maestro Aleksandr Anisimov.
When: 3–14 December
Where: Vitebsk Oblast Philharmonic, 69 Lenina Street, Vitebsk
United in Choir festival in Nesvizh Castle
Creativity, unity and music – this is the motto of the second edition of the United in Choir festival-competition that will feature choral groups from different parts of Belarus and Russia. Among the participants are the Youth Model Choir April (Gatchina), the student choir Perpetuum Mobile of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the choir Canzona (St. Petersburg), the model choir Barbariski (Baranovichi), the amateur folk youth choir Brevis (Minsk). The festival will include auditions, meetings and master classes, where participants will be able to exchange best practices.
When: 6–8 December
Where: National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Nesvizh, Minsk Oblast
Vladimir Mashkov in The Government Inspector in Minsk
The Oleg Tabakov Moscow Theater will present a legendary comedy - The Government Inspector based on the same-name play by Nikolai Gogol. Following the classic, director Sergei Gazarov explores the nature of mind-blowing deception. It is a story when a very smart and seasoned person – a mayor - was conned by twenty-two-year-old man by the name of Khlestakov. How did it happen that the one who “deceived multiple swindlers” was fooled around himself? And why did the story about a bankrupt stranger, mistaken for an inspector from St. Petersburg, turned out to be immortal? Vladimir Mashkov plays the role of the mayor Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky, Vladislav Miller will appear on stage as Khlestakov.
When: 7-8 December
Where: Central Officers’ House, 3 Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, Minsk
Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum
One of the main music events in Minsk in December will be the International Christmas Opera Forum that will bring together outstanding performers from around the world. The 14th season will open in the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus with the opera The Main Question by the Chuvash State Opera and Ballet Theater Volga Opera. The costumes and scenery for it were generated by a neural network, the libretto and music were written using artificial intelligence, and one of the main roles will be played by a robot artist. Opera lovers will also see classical productions Le nozze di Figaro, Eugene Onegin, Turandot. At the end of the forum, a gala concert The Legacy of Elena Obraztsova will star laureates and prize winners of competitions dedicated to the outstanding Russian opera singer, one of the greatest representatives of the vocal art of the 20th century.
10 December – opera The Main Question, Chuvash State Opera and Ballet Theater Volga Opera
11 December – opera Le nozze di Figaro, Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theater
12 December – opera Eugene Onegin, Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus
14 December – opera Turandot, with Elena Mikhailenko, Mikhail Pirogov, Elizaveta Kulagina in the leading roles
15 December – gala concert The Legacy of Elena Obraztsova
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoy Kommuny Square, Minsk
Concert marking 95th birthday of composer Evgeny Glebov in Minsk
Evgeny Glebov entered the history of national culture as one of the founders of the modern school of composers. He managed to overcome the lack of musical education and, thanks to his diligence, to enter the composition faculty of the Belarusian State Conservatory. In his student years he created works which manifested his creative individuality. Among them are the symphonic poem Masheka based on Yanka Kupala's poem The Lion's Grave and Fantasy for Piano and Symphony Orchestra. Soon after graduation he composed his first ballet Dream and Polesie Suite, which made part of the golden pool of culture. The Fourth Symphony, ballets Alpine Ballad, The Chosen One, Til Ulenspiegel, oratorios on poems by Belarusian poets, choreographic compositions, symphonic suites, orchestral poems, pop pieces and vocal miniatures, melodies for cinema make up a range of Evgeny Glebov's compositional talent.
The concert will feature scholarship holders of the President's Special Fund to Support Talented Youth, prize winners of national and international competitions, students, teachers, exemplary choral and orchestral ensembles of Minsk Children's Music School of Arts No.10 named after Evgeny Glebov, as well as an ensemble of soloists from the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus.
When: 10 December
Where: Big Concert Hall, Belarusian State Philharmonics, 50 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
Trip to Father Frost Residence: New Year train to Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Children and adults are invited to take a trip to the winter fairy tale on Christmas and New Year's Eve 2025. The destination is the Residence of the Belarusian Father Frost in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The distance between Minsk and Brest is over 350km. The travel time is about 10 hours. The program will include a visit to the estate of the main forest magician, the house of Snow Maiden, the Magic Mill, the Alley of Signs of the Eastern Calendar, Skarbnitsa - the Museum of Gifts of Father Frost. Visitors will have a chance to make a wish on the glade of Twelve Months or on the magic throne, taste Pushcha pancakes and herbal tea, and enjoy the nature of the national park. On the way back they will meet the railroad Father Frost.
When: 13-14, 20-21, 24-25 December 2024; 6-7 and 10-11 January 2025
Where: Minsk Passazhyrsky-Father Frost Residence in Belovezhskaya Pushcha
New Year’s Yeralash: A new show in Belarusian Circus
Belarusian Circus is presenting a new show ahead of winter vacations and the most beloved holidays of the year. The show titled as New Year's Yeralash will feature a story of the main characters hurrying to deliver long-awaited presents to all children on the planet. The circus show involves aerial gymnasts and acrobats, clowns, monkey musicians, ponies, dogs, cats, and funny geese.
When: 14 December 2024-12 January 2025
Where: Belarusian Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
Evgeni Plushenko’s ice show The Nutcracker in Minsk Arena
Theodor Hoffmann's legendary fairy tale The Nutcracker, which was based on the ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, is a world symbol of Christmas. The story of the steadfast wooden soldier takes on new colors in the ice show of four-time Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko. The production is based on the classical libretto of Tchaikovsky's ballet, in which Marie, with the help of her godfather Drosselmeyer (Evgeni Plushenko), gets into the magic kingdom under the Christmas tree, helps the Nutcracker (Sasha Plushenko) to defeat the Mouse King and goes on a journey to the sweet city of Confetenburg. Ballet parts and figure skating are combined with the latest multimedia solutions, spectacular sets and costumes.
When: 14 December (12.00, 17.00) and 15 December (12.00)
Where: Minsk Arena, 111 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk
The Night Before Christmas in Minsk Puppet Theater
The Belarusian State Puppet Theater in Minsk invites everyone to feel the magical atmosphere of Nikolai Gogol's famous story: the Night Before Christmas play premiered in 2023 (directed by Ekaterina Trofimuk, art director - Tatyana Nersisyan), but remains a favorite of the audience. The Night Before Christmas is an occasion to meet familiar characters, to see the story of true love and the eternal confrontation of good and evil.
When: 15 and 28 December
Where: Belarusian State Puppet Theater, 20 Engelsa Street, Minsk
Imperial Orchestra in Minsk: Hans Zimmer's Universe soundtrack show
Hans Zimmer's Universe soundtrack show performed by the Imperial Orchestra is a tribute to the composer who has become a legend of modern cinema and Hollywood. Hans Zimmer is the author of music for over 200 films and the winner of Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe awards. Zimmer worked on the music for the most famous blockbusters and cartoons of our time: "Interstellar", "Gladiator", "The Lion King", "Pirates of the Caribbean", "Inception", "Dune" and many others. The Imperial Orchestra will perform the best compositions from beloved movies for the audience in Minsk. The great symphony Imperial Orchestra brought together artists from St. Petersburg and Moscow. It was founded in 2021 specifically for the Cinema Medley show and in a few years has become "the main movie orchestra of Russia". Today it consists of about 400 artists, 2 conductors, a team of sound engineers and lighting designers who make every show incredible.
When: December 18.
Where: Minsk Arena, 111 Pobediteley Avenue, Minsk
White Elephant historical quest in Mir Castle
The Mir Castle is one of the most beautiful sights in Belarus, the UNESCO World Heritage List site. For a century it has been preserving the story of the White Elephant that quest participants need to learn. In order to successfully overcome the challenges created by the keeper of the castle, they need to demonstrate not only logical thinking and wit, but also knowledge of Belarusian history. You can book the quest for a group of 15-20 people no later than two weeks before the event. Visitors can explore the exposition either on their own or with the help of a guide or audio guide.
When: December 21.
Where: Mir Castle, 2 Krasnoarmeyskaya St., Mir, Karelichi District, Grodno Oblast
Winter Vulitsa Ezha on Luchshaya Street of Minsk
The Vulitsa Ezha event, which is traditionally held as a city picnic, has already become beloved among Minsk citizens. Guests will enjoy a Christmas food court, a large festive tree, Ded Moroz's [Grandfather Frost] house, a gift wrapping factory, cozy winter bars, New Year's mail service, themed workshops and even a street cinema. The Luchshaya Street food court, which is being decked up to celebrate the New Year, will host all these activities. Guests of the festive fair will be able to taste dishes from the New Year's menu prepared by around 30 Minsk restaurants, warm themselves up with hot drinks, ride the Venetian carousel, visit the residence of the New Year's wizard, send postcards to relatives, buy gifts and handmade jewelry, enjoy music performances and watch movies with friends at the street cinema.
When: December 21-22.
Where: Luchshaya Street food court, 2A Tolbukhina St., Minsk
New Year's event at Palace of Republic
The guests of the 2025 New Year’s event for children will need to find the "Formula of the New Year". According to the plot of the show, New Year's wizards use this secret formula to create fairy tales in reality, festive mood and gifts in a mysterious laboratory. Together with the main characters, Mikhas and Vasilisa, the audience will take a peek at the secret laboratory of Ded Moroz [Grandfather Frost] and Snegurochka [Snow Maiden], and then help them find the lost formula in one of the fantasy books. Artificial Intelligence, a girl named Alesya, will guide the audience and create routes to unknown worlds. The audience will participate in the performance solving the puzzles of space pirates, sorting parcels, juggling magical objects, dancing and singing together with the characters.
When: December 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025 (11.00, 15.00, 18.00)
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk
Frank Sinatra's Christmas Songs by Dmitry Noskov, Ark Ovrutski Jazz Quintet in Minsk
Moscow vocalist Dmitry Noskov and a jazz quintet led by Ark Ovrutski (double bass player, composer, band leader, festival winner and creator of international jazz projects) will perform world-famous Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra. The audience will delve into the Christmas atmosphere of America in the 1950-960s, when jazz fans gathered in clubs and concert venues to personally shake hands with Ol' Blue Eyes. Guests will enjoy funny stories, interesting facts from Frank Sinatra's life, engaged discussion and, certainly, congratulations. The Great Hall of the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society will feature such hits as “Jingle bells”, “Let it snow”, “Have yourself a Merry little Christmas”, “White Christmas”, “Santa Claus is coming to town”, “Christmas Song”.
When: December 28.
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, 50 Nezavisimosty Avenue, Minsk
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