Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: February 2016

International Festival of Orthodox Songs Kolozha Blagovest

Belarus in the UNESCO World Heritage List

The project, which was launched in the Chelyuskintsev Park in Minsk, allows getting acquainted with Belarus’ outstanding landmarks which are known all over the world. The large-scale open-air exhibition is a continuation of the Heritage of Belarus project and is dedicated to the jubilee events of 2015: the 70th anniversary of the UNESCO, the 60th anniversary of Belarus’s membership in the UNESCO, and 10 years since the Nesvizh Palace and Park was awarded the status of a UNESCO site. The exposition, which was on display on the fence of the park for a year, includes more than 60 photographs and shows four Belarusian sites on the list of the world cultural and natural heritage: Belovezhskaya Pushcha; Mir Castle; The Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh; Struve Geodetic Arc.

When: from 22 May
Where: Chelyuskintsev Park, Minsk

Roman Zaslonov’s exhibition in Gomel

An exhibition of the famous artist Roman Zaslonov, the grandson of the famous member of the Belarusian guerrilla movement, hero of the Soviet Union Konstantin Zaslonov, was held in Minsk in December 2015. The exhibition brings together more than 40 paintings made over during 20 years of his living in France. The talented graduate of the Belarusian Academy of Arts received international recognition in 1997 when he won the Salon d'Automne first prize in Paris. Currently, his works can be found in the finest galleries in France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. Roman Zaslonov’s style is an original blend of classic and modern trends of European painting, but invariably the main character of his paintings is a woman who can rise above her daily routine and dive into the world of magic.

When: 29 January – 28 February
Where: Gomel, Palace of the Rumyantsevs and the Paskeviches

Goya… Picasso Exhibition in Minsk

An exclusive exhibition of original works of the greatest artists of the 20th century Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso is a joint project of San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Madrid) and the National Art Museum of Belarus. Belarusian museum goers will see about 100 drawings with the total value of €1.4 million for the first time. The exposition of the main representative of Spanish Romanticism, Francisco Goya, will include the most famous drawings from the series Caprichos, The Disasters of War, Tauromaquia, and Disparates. The exposition of Pablo Picasso, the world’s most expensive artist, will feature sketches The Wounded Picador, Three Women and the Toreador, works from the Vollard Suite series, illustrations of Honore de Balzac’s The Unknown Masterpiece created upon the order of one of the biggest art dealers of the time Ambroise Vollard.

When: 21 December 2015 – 21 March 2016
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk

Fragrances of Life interactive expo

The new exhibition "Fragrances of Life" in the House of Paintings art gallery invites you to make a journey into the world of perfumery which is thousands of years old. Visitors will see a collection of the best perfumes created over the past 250 years, including 10 fragrances recreated according to the old recipes that were popular with representatives of the Romanov Imperial Family. In addition, the exhibition presents the fragrances created for famous personalities of our time: Vladimir Putin, Mireille Mathieu, Iosif Kobzon, Valery Meladze, Philipp Kirkorov ... The legendary fragrance "Belaya Rus No.5" deserves a special attention. It has been developed by Belarus-born American perfumer Sophia Grojsman who is called the Picasso of Perfumery. She is the author of about 40 best-sellers for the famous brands Kenzo, Lancome, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Estee Lauder.

When: 24 December – 14 March
Where: House of Paintings art gallery, Minsk

The Academy of Clowns at Belarusian State Circus

The Belarusian State Circus invites to see a new entertaining show The Academy of Clowns featuring students-artists and amazing animals: horses, bears, parrots, ferrets, Chaplin the Dog, an elephant-hairdresser… The show is led by rector of this unusual university, Clown Bo, Honored Artist of Russia Boris Oskotsky, an outstanding artist of the Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. Russia’s Honored Artist Andrei Averyushkin and his Jolly Ferrets will be one of the main draws of the show. These tiny animals that are almost untamable do incredible things on the stage: rolling back a carpet with the help of their noses, doing exercises on parallel bars, getting on their back feet and even performing a solo.

When: 30 January – 1 May
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

Gleb Matveichuk in Minsk

Actor, singer, composer and producer Gleb Matveichuk grew up in a family of Belarusfilm designer Alim Matveichuk in Minsk where he graduated from the music college majoring in "choir conductor”. In 2009, the young singer became a finalist in the singing reality show “Russian Tenor Voices. In 2013 his duet with rock singer Olga Kormukhina was recognized best in TV project "Two Stars". Gleb Matveichuk has played many parts in cinema and theater, the most memorable of which were parts in the rock operas "Jesus Christ Superstar", musicals "Monte Cristo" and "Master and Margarita". He is also the author of the soundtracks to the movies "Admiral", "About Love", "Yaroslav. A Thousand Years Ago". In the capital of Belarus, Gleb Matveichuk will present the program "Great Hits of Three Centuries: Encores" of international hits, romances, songs by Russian composers and his own compositions.

When/where:

1 February, Minsk concert hall, Minsk
3 February, Gomel, public culture center

Trio Tour Four Season around Belarus

The magnificent trio of talented Belarusian virtuoso musicians will go on a tour around Belarusian cities with the unique program Four Seasons. Artem Shishkov, the first Belarusian to play a Stradivari, the lead violinist in the Lipkind Quartet; the finalist of the Eurovision Young Musicians 2010, prizewinner of the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition Ivan Karizna and the winner of 15 international contests, the initiator of the TyzenHouse Festival in Grodno Kirill Keduk will perform the legendary works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Astor Piazzolla's Four Seasons. The famous young musicians will also give master classes and share their secrets with novice musicians.

When: 5-11 February
Where: Slutsk, Grodno, Bobruisk, Polotsk, Pinsk

MINSK INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

The 23rd edition of the Minsk Book Fair, the largest book expo in Belarus and the CIS, will bring together major publishers, printers and distributors of literature from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States. Armenia will be Guest of Honor and Ecuador Special Guest. The Year of Culture in Belarus will be one of the key themes of the upcoming event along with the preparations for the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing. Other themes include the anniversaries associated with the names of Maxim Bogdanovich, Ivan Shamyakin, Kondrat Krapiva, Ivan Melezh, and Vladimir Mulyavin.

For the second consecutive year, the discussion platform of the international literary symposium "Writer and Time: Continuity in Literature” will bring together established writers and novice authors from different countries. The program of the book fair includes a seminar of young writers, the 55th Art of Book national contest award ceremony, and also presentations, roundtables, meetings with famous Belarusian and foreign authors.

When: 10-14 February
Where: BelExpo exhibition center, Minsk
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Leon Bakst’s Time and Art expo in Minsk

Outstanding artist-stage designer, book illustrator, master of easel painting and theater graphics, designer of the Silver Age, a native of Grodno, Leon Bakst won worldwide recognition thanks to his works for legendary Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Paris. The art project will be running in Minsk from 10 February till 17 April. Dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Leon Bakst’s birth, the exhibition will feature more than 40 works of different genres, from paintings to costume and set designs. One of the most famous exhibits will be the painting “Bathers on the Lido, Venice” bought from an English collector. For the first time visitors will enjoy a large exposition of more than 200 works by Leon Bakst's contemporaries: representatives of the World of Art association: Dobuzhinsky, Vrubel, Zhukovsky, Kustodiev, Levitan, Voloshin, Petrov-Vodkin.

When: 10 February-17 April
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk
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Tina Karol in Minsk

Singer, actress, coach in The Voice Kids Ukraine, Honored Artist of Ukraine Tina Karol became popular after she performed a Brandon Stone’s song and earned second place at the international contest New Wave in 2005. In 2014 the Ukrainian singer released her fifth studio album I Remember. In 2015 she got a prestigious national award Yuna in the category Best Female Singer of the Year. Besides, Tina Karol was twice named the most beautiful woman of Ukraine by the magazine VIVA! The signer will give a concert in Minsk on Valentine’s Day. The set list features Love Him, Pain, I Remember, You Can Give Up Later, and new singles I Am Still In Love and Thank You.

When: 14 February
Where: Prime Hall, Minsk

Tea Masters Cup Belarus 2016 in Minsk

The second edition of the national championship will bring together 20 professional and amateur tea brewers from all regions of Belarus in the capital city of Minsk. On their way to the victory, the participants will face three competition stages: tea preparation, tea pairing, and tea tasting. The winner will represent Belarus at the international Tea Masters Cup in South Korea in June 2016. Last year, the national stage of the competition was attended by more than 1,000 tea lovers. The organizers expect this year’s event to draw even more visitors. The program of the competition features themed exhibitions, tastings, workshops by recognized tea mavens, and contests.

When: 14 February
Where: Beijing Hotel, Minsk
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Forum of Experimental Plastic Theaters PlaStforma Minsk 2016

PlaStforma Minsk 2016 will gather the leading dancers and choreographers from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Denmark. The modern Polish dance will be the highlight of the festival this year. The audience will see innovative acts from the best dance companies. Among them is the mono performance Nizynski. The Rite of Dreams (the 2014 Polish Dance Platform Award holder in the nominations Best Play and Best Performance), the play Stalking Paradise from the Lublin Dance Theater... The festival will culminate with a premiere of Maciej Kuzminski’s experimental play After Before, created in cooperation with students of the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts. The program of the festival will also feature a cycle of lectures from Polish theater critics Anna Krolica and Jadwiga Majewska entitled How to Understand a Modern Dance and How to Write About it?

When: 15 – 21 February
Where: National Center of Modern Arts, Belarusian Dramaturgy Theater, Cultural Center of Railway Workers, Minsk

Fourth international festival Vladimir Spivakov Invites…

One of the most eminent musicians and conductors Vladimir Spivakov will gather world’s stars in Minsk for the fourth edition of his international festival. The residents and guests of the Belarusian capital are invited to enjoy performances by world-renowned opera diva, soloist of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater, People’s Artist of Russia and Abkhazia Hibla Gerzmava, prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, People’s Artist of Russia Ulyana Lopatkina, and cello virtuoso Mischa Maisky, a student of the 20th century greatest cellists Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. One of the main events of the festival will be the premiere of Roman Viktyuk’s music and drama production Tenderness with Sati Spivakova, TV presenter, actress, wife and muse of Vladimir Spivakov, in the lead role.

16 February
Opening ceremony. Opera Gala concert by Hibla Gerzmava, Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

17 February
Argentine Tango show by Ulyana Lopatkina, Palace of the Republic

18 February
Production Tenderness featuring Sati Spivakova, Central Officer’s Club

Hour of Bach concert, National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia conducted by Vladimir Spivakov, Mogilev Oblast Philharmonic Society

21 February
Closing ceremony. Cellist Mischa Maisky, State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus conducted by Arkady Berin
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Vintage bicycles exhibition in Minsk

The international project “Whole life in one bicycle”, which was presented for the first time at EXPO 2015 in Milan, invites you to learn more about the history of a bicycle – a unique means of transport and one of the greatest inventions, which has made the life of European urban dwellers and villagers much easier. The visitors to the exhibition will learn many interesting facts about the life and daily routine of representatives of various professions: a priest, a doctor, a fireman, a baker, a milkman, a tailor and a barber, and the role which the bicycle played in their lives. The exclusive collection, with the youngest bike of about 60 years old, belongs to Maurizio Urbinati from Italy. He has been collecting vintage bicycles with an interesting story for the past four last decades.

When: 18 February – February 2017
Where: National History Museum, Minsk
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Sergey Bezrukov’s premiere production The Dream of Mind in Minsk

The premiere production of the Moscow Governor’s Theater The Dream of Mind based on Nikolai Gogol’s short story Diary of a Madman will be presented in Minsk by famous theater and film actor, art director of the theater, People’s Artist of Russia Sergey Bezrukov. In this new production he will not only portray the protagonist of the story, low-ranking civil servant Poprishchin, but also be the production director. The performance will tell the story of a mad person detached from the everyday life, and will show the world where the reality and fiction are so closely intertwined so that the audience could feel all fears and illusions of the main character. The mystic and surreal atmosphere of the great author’s works is embodied in fantastic decorations and costumes of actors, the original plastic pattern with the elements of circus performed by the artists of the Old Moscow Circus in Tsvetnoy Boulevard.

When: 19 February
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk

Pierre Richard’s one-man show Pierre Richard III in Minsk

Renowned modern actor and director Pierre Richard is famous for his brilliant roles in such films as The Toy, ComDads, The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe, The Umbrella Coup, etc. In his new work, the autobiographical one-man production Pierre Richard III made in the style of the French light comedy, Richard tells the sincere, touching and funny story of his own life. It is an overwhelming combination of funny incidents, meetings and events which have played an important role in the creative fate of the actor. The charm of the romantic 1970-80s will be brought to Minsk with furniture, clothes, and car brands… The viewers who will dare to try on the eclectic styles from the magazines of the time will become part of the theater fantasy of the great comedian.

When: 19 February
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk

15th International Festival of Orthodox Songs Kolozha Blagovest

The International Festival of Orthodox Songs Kolozha Blagovest will celebrate its 15th anniversary and bring together a record number of guests and participants this year. The festival in Grodno will be attended by church and secular adult and children’s choirs from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Romania… Partaking in the casting sessions held in the run-up to the forum were 89 church choirs of the Grodno diocese. The best performers will take part in the final stage of the festival. Apart from the contest, the program of the church music festival includes exhibitions of modern icons and literature, evenings of religious poetry, Orthodox film sessions and discussions.

When: 24-27 February
Where: Grodno

An Evening with Vladimir Pozner in Minsk

During a more than 50 year long career Vladimir Pozner has become one of the most famous Russian journalists and TV presenters. He is the author of various programs, co-host of call-in shows, producer of documentary series and books, wonderful interviewer who has met with many famous people from all over the world, including such political, public and cultural figures as Mikhail Gorbachev, Anatoly Chubais, Edvard Radzinsky, Andrei Konchalovsky, Mark Zakharov… In 2008, the TV journalist created the famous program Pozner. He is also famous for his brilliant work with Ivan Urgant in the documentaries about the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Israel, and the USA: they travel around these countries to learn more about their history, culture, traditions and customs. In Minsk the famous TV presenter will share his ideas about life, unveil a number of professional secrets, and answer questions.

When: 25 February
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk