Day of Ukraine in Minsk

Festivals of national cultures in Minsk Upper Town continued with the Day of Ukrainian Culture on 18 August. Colorful vyshyvanki (national embroidered shirts), conversations in Ukrainian, national dances and songs created a special festive atmosphere in Minsk at the weekend.

Belarus’ southern neighbor kicked off the festival of national cultures in June. At the Kupala Night in Alexandria the Days of Ukrainian Culture comprised the Fair at Sorochyntsi and a gala concert. The performance of the P. Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, People’s Artists Tina Karol and Ivo Bobul, Honored Artist Lenara Osmanova, popular singer Oleg Vinnik, Luiku, and Zlata Ognevich became a great gift for the visitors of the Belarusian Kupala Night held annually on the bank of the Dnieper River.

The festival in the center of Minsk in August took over the mood and atmosphere from the June festivities. Guests enjoyed the performance of artists, exhibitions of paintings and photography, and also an arts and crafts fair. The feast of the national Ukrainian cuisine featured both traditional dishes such as borsch (red-beet soup) and vareniki (filled dumplings) and also the exotic ones like, for instance, salo (cured fatback) in chocolate. The somber sky and rain did not spoil the festival. Colorful costumes of the artists and warm smiles of the visitors turned the Day of Ukraine into a bright festival of friendship between the two brotherly nations.