Opening gala of Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk 2017

The legendary "festival of festivals that never ceases to surprise its guests with new projects, Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, kicked off for the twenty-sixth time. The most anticipated event of the year started with a ceremony of raising the flag bearing the festival’s symbol and the traditional welcoming remarks from Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The president bestowed a special prize Through Art to Peace and Understanding on People’s Artist of Georgia and Russia Tamara Gverdtsiteli whose star was solemnly unveiled in the Square of Stars in Vitebsk on 13 July. The president also presented the Grand Prix award to Mariya Magilnaya, the winner of the International Children’s Song Contest Vitebsk 2017. Attending the opening ceremony also was Moldova President Igor Dodon.

The ceremony was followed by a spectacular show featuring celebrities and beginner performers, different genres and styles from different countries. Slavianski Bazaar is called a multinational festival for a reason: this year it has drawn participants from 36 countries.