Partaking in the official opening ceremony were participants and organizers of the festival, honorary guests and nearly 1,500 spectators. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko sent a letter of greetings to all those who gathered in Grodno for the event.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Kalinin, Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Kochanova and Grodno Oblast Vice Governor Viktor Liskovich.
Chairman of the Advisory Council under the Commissioner for Religions and Nationalities Georgy Yegiazaryan greeted the participants of the forum on behalf of all the ethnic groups.