Slavianski Bazaar 2018: Opening ceremony of the festival of interethnic friendship

Dedications to the native land, the ‘star’ for Roza, declaration of ever-lasting friendship between the Slavic nations and the victory of a young Ukrainian artist… The first day of the 27th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk was full of events.

Vitebsk never ceases to delight guests with a rich cultural program: the symbol of Slavianski Bazaar was hoisted to fly next to the flags of the 41 participating countries of the festival on 12 July, the opening day of the festival. Winners of the International Song Contest Vitebsk 2017 and the International Junior Song Contest Vitebsk 2017 Vlad Sytnik and Maria Magilnaya gave a ceremonial start to the ‘celebration of artistic wealth of the regions of the world’ (as described by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay). The celebration continued with fireworks, a theatrical performance of street theater artists and stilt-walkers, and a spectacular parade featuring 500 drummers and majorettes.

Then the crowd moved to the Celebrity Square to see a new star to be unveiled. The honorary award from the Belarusian president Through Art to Peace and Understanding and a named cornflower – the symbol of the festival – were awarded to People's Artist of Kazakhstan Roza Rymbayeva whose lyric four-octave soprano has delighted the audience for 43 years.

In the evening, the participants of the most anticipated cultural event of the year were traditionally welcomed by Alexander Lukashenko. The president gave the award to Roza Rymbayeva and the winner of the Grand Prix of the 16th Junior Song Contest Vitebsk 2018 Alexander Balabanov. The head of state also congratulated the winners of the Union State Literature and Art Award 2017-2018. They are People’s Artist of Russia, composer Oleg Ivanov, People’s Artist of Russia, conductor Valery Polyansky, Merited Cultural Worker of Russia Alexander Shanin and People’s Artist of the USSR, choreographer Valentin Elizariev.

The festival organizers gave Alexander Lukashenko an amulet belt to reward his efforts to promote the festival that now unites many nations (this year the festival brought together representatives of 41 countries!). Such an amulet belt was the most valuable gift to a man for Slavonic peoples.

The Native Land theme and the 30th anniversary of the Summer Amphitheater translated into a concert program titled “Home Where You Are Always Welcome”. The concert director wanted to emphasize that the Summer Amphitheater became home to a great number of artists and a place where many rose to international stardom.

Best shots from the 27th edition of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk in our photo report