Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: APRIL 2021

Dear friends! We are sorry to inform you that we have to change the monthly Events Calendar on the belarus.by website. The coronavirus pandemic has led to border shutdowns, travel restrictions, cancellation or postponement of public events. People are willing to refrain from trips and entertainments to protect themselves and their families.

Belarus is taking all the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the infection. The country has not imposed strict travel restrictions. However, Belarus calls on EVERY PERSON to be extremely careful, follow the WHO and doctors’ recommendations, observe personal hygiene rules, and, most importantly, take care of each other. If you have returned from the worst-hit regions and countries, you should seek medical attention in case of the slightest deterioration in your health and, of course, isolate yourselves as soon as possible, in order not to spread any infection, not only COVID-19.

In view of this situation, large public events are canceled or postponed. Please, check out the information in advance. Organizers promise that tickets for all postponed events will remain valid. Please, remember to stay healthy!

Minsk tops CIS list of cities for virtual tours

Rarities of the National History Museum  project in Minsk

The National History Museum invites Minsk residents and tourists to visit an outdoor exhibition to see the rarities from its holdings. An unusual exhibition about the Belarusian nation and its historical heritage will be arranged on the fence of Chelyuskintsev Park (Independence Avenue) in early June. Seventy photo-banners will show the rarities from different eras: coins, weapons, national costumes, religious objects, works of fine art, arts and crafts, books, precious metals, awards, musical instruments and many more. This exposition features items presented by the five branches of the National History Museum – the Memorial House of the First Congress of the RSDLP, the Museum of Belarusian Cinema History, the Museum of Theater and Music Culture History, the Museum of Nature and Environment, and the Museum of Contemporary Belarusian Statehood.

When: 2 June 2020 – 1 June 2021
Where: Fence of Chelyuskintsev Park, Independence Avenue, Minsk
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Tadeusz Kosciuszko as an Artist

4 February marked the 275th anniversary of the birth of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the national hero of Belarus, Poland and the United States. On this day, the Memorial Manor Museum in Merechevshchina in the town of Kossovo, the hometown of the outstanding military and political figure, rolled out a unique exhibition-project showing the creative side of the famous general. The exhibition features 16 reproductions of Kosciuszko's works made in different periods of his life. Among them is his first paintings - mostly copies of the works by other artists he made while studying at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in France, and replicas of the paintings from a later period. Despite the fact that Tadeusz Kosciuszko connected his life with the military, he continued to paint after the uprising of 1794. In America he gained fame as a portraitist.

When: 4 February – 31 March 
Where: Tadeusz Kosciuszko Memorial Manor Museum
108 Kosciuszko Street, Kossovo, Ivanovo District, Brest Oblast
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Mikhail Filippovich exhibition at the National Art Museum

Belarusian artist Mikhail Filippovich, who created many of his works in the 1920s and 1930s, was a witness to the transitional epoch from the late 19th century to early 20th century rich in various artistic innovations. His works either fused or highlighted Art Nouveau, post-impressionism, futurism, suprematism, fauvism, expressionism, neo-realism, impressionism...  Many of his works have made the treasure trove of the Belarusian art. The exhibition for the 125th anniversary of the outstanding painter presents about 150 works: paintings, graphics, sculptures from Minsk museums and private collections, photos and publications. 

When: 4 February – 4 April
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, 20 Lenina Street, Minsk

David Yakerson. Sculpture. Graphics expo in Minsk

The Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local History unveiled an exhibition to mark the 125th anniversary of the famous sculptor and graphic artist David Yakerson. David Yakerson studied at the Yehuda Peng School of Art that many famous artists, including Marc Chagall and Lazar Khidekel, attended. He is almost the only representative of sculptural suprematism, a member of the famous avant-garde group UNOVIS. The exhibition features more than 100 graphic works and sculptures, archival photographs, ornamental compositions in the Art Nouveau style, experiments in the spirit of Cubism and Expressionism, plein-air sketches of Vitebsk, innovative suprematist works of the 1920s.

When: 10 February – 4 April
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, 20 Lenina Street, Minsk

The Island of Desires in the Belarusian State Circus

The Belarusian State Circus presents a new program in anticipation of spring: now spectators will be able to undertake a captivating journey to the Island of Desires. Producers of the new production are convinced that the circus ring is also a fairy-tale island where coveted dreams come true. The program will feature trapeze artists, equilibrists, acrobats, clowns, jugglers, as well as trained ponies and horses, funny ferrets and cheerful dogs. Apart from that, the exhibition Circus Rendezvous will be organized in the lobby in addition to an entertaining photo zone where anyone will be able to try on the role of a circus gymnast, a clown, and even a lion.

When: 20 February – 4 April
Where: The Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Festival of lights in Minsk Botanical Garden

This spring, the Central Botanical Garden in Minsk will host the festival “The Kingdom of Magical Lights”. The territory of the Botanical Garden will be decorated with 25 large sets of more than 200 art objects, which will turn the Botanical Garden into a fairytale. The festival will feature Cinderella in a golden carriage, Tinker Bell’s home Neverland, knights guarding the entrance to the magical park, and mysterious creatures in the park: witches making potions, spiders weaving nets, an evil ogre hiding nearby. The biggest light installation will be more than six meters high and ten meters long! Music, lighting, and special effects will immerse visitors of the festival in the atmosphere of a fairytale. The Botanical Garden will be decorated with thousands of diode lamps, several kilometers of diode ribbons, and hundreds of meters of satin. On the weekend, visitors of the festival will be invited to watch a spectacular fire show. There will be three shows: at 20:00, 21:00, and 22:00. The program of the opening day of the festival on 12 March will include a show featuring a three-meter-long fire-breathing dragon at 19:00. The festival will work from 19:00 to 23:00. The giant light installations will come alive after dark. Visitors of the festival will also be invited to visit a food court and buy handmade items from artisans.

When: 12 March – 25 April, Tuesday – Sunday 19:00-23:00, closed Monday
Where: Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2B Surganova Street, Minsk

Folding Fans exhibition in Vitebsk

The exhibition “The Thread Connecting Centuries” in the Vitebsk town hall is showcasing the unique exhibits of the 18th- 20th centuries - 47 hand fans from Mir Castle. Elegant accessories from Europe, Russia and China were made of various materials:  bone, mother-of-pearl, wood, tortoise shell, synthetic materials, and also paper, cardboard, fabric or lace. It is in the evolution of this accessory that we can trace back 200 years of fashion history and find reflections in embroidery, ladies' accessories, men's suit attributes from the collection of the Vitebsk Regional Museum.

When: 19 March - 21  May
Where: Vitebsk Regional Museum, 36 Lenin Street, Vitebsk

International Festival of Ancient and Contemporary Chamber Music in Polotsk

One of Belarus’ most established festivals will open with a concert of Honored Artist of Belarus Ksenia Pogorelaya and the Europe-Center chamber orchestra under the baton of Rail Sadykov. The program of the concert will span four centuries of classical music - from Bach to Jenkins. On 11 April, the concert in Saint Sophia Cathedral will feature pieces by Bach, Handel, Schubert performed by Moscow soloists - winners of international competitions Anastasia Bykova (organ) and Konstantin Limantsev (trumpet). On 16 April the brass quintet of soloists of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus will perform the marvelous works of the 20th century composers - Stravinsky, Ravel, Kancheli. The Russian Romantic Song evening on 21 April will feature People’s Artist of Belarus Vladimir Gromov (baritone) and pianist Natalia Kotova. The festival in Polotsk will wrap up with a concert by the All Saints choir, the country’s only male church choir, with a program of church songs, folk and secular pieces, including those by Belarusian composers.

When: 28 March – 5 May
Where: Saint Sophia Cathedral, 1 Zamkovaya Street, Polotsk
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Pinocchio opera premiere at Bolshoi Theater

The Pinocchio opera is one of the most anticipated premieres of the Belarusian Bolshoi Theater. Since it was first staged in 2008, Gloria Bruni's masterpiece has already been performed in Naples, Parma, London and other European cities. The fairytale story will premiere on the Minsk stage during winter holidays. The production team include conductor Vladimir Ovodok, director Natalia Baranovskaya, and designer Lyubov Sidelnikova. Natalia Baranovskaya will debut in the capacity of director. According to her, “the story of the wooden puppet that became a real live boy is still relevant, because we all make mistakes, but fixing them helps us grow ...”

When: 3 April
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoi Communy Square, Minsk

Minsk Spring music festival

For 36 years, the festival has brought together fans of classical music. The program of this year's edition includes 11 concerts featuring the best artists of the Belarusian State Philharmonic: a symphony orchestra, a choir, and renowned soloists – winners of international competitions. “The program of the festival features the world premiere of music by Russian composer Andrei Rubtsov on 13 April, a liturgy concert to mark the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster on 25 April, and the traditional concert of organ music on 27 April. And this is only a fraction of the program in the Big Concert Hall of the philharmonic. This year’s festival will be rich in events that will appeal to both experienced and new music fans,” the organizers noted.

When: 3-27 April
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic, 50 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

TheaterHD: Screening of the world's best productions in Minsk

In April, the Tsentralny cinema house will continue screening the world’s best  feature movies, opera and ballet productions and also documentary films as part of #АртЛекторийВкино project (art lectures on screen)

3 April - Phil Grabsky's Easter in Art about the story of Christ’s death and resurrection in masterpieces by Leonardo, Michelangelo, El Greco and Caravaggio and contemporaries Mark Wallinger and Sam Taylor-Wood
7 and 10 April - Shakespeare's Globe: Much Ado About Nothing directed by Jeremy Herrin
14 and 17 April - The Impressionists film about the exhibition which traveled around the museums of Paris, London and Philadelphia in 2014-2015
21 April – The Flames of Paris ballet about the passions and tragedies of the French Revolution choreographed by the renowned Vasili Vainonen to the music of Boris Asafiev.
24 April - Prince Igor opera directed by Dmitry Chernyakov, with Ildar Abdrazakov as Prince Igor
28 April - Shakespeare's Globe: A Midsummer Night's Dream 

When: April
Where: Tsentralny cinema house, VOKA CINEMA by Silver Screen, Minsk

Belarus Fashion Week: 20th edition online

One of the main events of the Belarusian fashion industry – Belarus Fashion Week – will be held for the 20th time. After a short downtime, the organizers decided not to cancel the event. They have drawn up a program featuring new projects and ideas and have decided to move Belarus Fashion Week online. During the pandemic, the demand for clothes by Belarusian designers increased, and the ‘made in Belarus’ trend became popular. Visitors of Belarus Fashion Week will be invited to fashion shows of leading Belarusian designers and brands, including BUTER, NELVA, LSD Clothing, Minina_Style, LOVERANI, Natalia Korzh. The program also includes fashion shows of children’s clothes, a presentation by designers of TREND Park, and Ethical Fashion Show from the Belarusian Fashion Chamber featuring designers Natalia Kostroma, Yekaterina Zanko, Tanya Tur, and the new brand Key-to-art. New collections will be showcased by models of various ages and experience. Many designers invited winners of Belarusian beauty pageants to take part in their shows.

When: 16:00, 3-4 April
Where: live stream on Belarus Fashion Week website – http://www.bfw.by/

Frederic Chopin by the Sonorus music chapel

The Sonorus music chapel invites classical music lovers to celebrate the 210th anniversary of the ‘piano poet’ - the outstanding pianist, composer and teacher Frederic Chopin. The audience will hear two concerts that will be a mix of poetic sentiment of the youth, romantic freedom, refined style and rhythm of folk dances - mazurka and polonaise. The solo will be performed by pianist Andrei Ivanov, a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservaroty.

When: 6 April
Where: Upper City Concert Hall, 23a Svobody Square, Minsk

Jazz from New Orleans: Gregory Boyd Quartet in Minsk

Gregory Boyd is a renowned American singer songwriter hailing from New Orleans. He performs original hits written in the best traditions of African American jazz, funk, blues and soul, and the “good old” classics of American jazz.  “Spicy” and “vicious” performing manner, virtuoso vocal technique, and immense charisma – all this is about Gregory Boyd. His music is “soulful, life-affirming and melodiously wise”. His success is attributed to shocking lyrics and fearless innovation. Each Boyd concert is a communication with the audience and a call to become a co-author of his music, performing songs together.

When: 8 April
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, 50 Independence Avenue, Minsk

Neman Spring 2021 water tourism competition

The Neman Spring competition will open a new tourist season on the Augustow Canal, a unique hydraulic structure built in the 19th century, a famous artificial artery on the water map of Europe and one of the most beautiful tourist sights of Belarus. The program starts with kayaking and catamaran racing on the Slalom distance. On the second day, the participants will compete in the Team Race with Elements of Rescuing challenge. In addition to racing, visitors will be offered to watch films about water tourism and to attend a concert of original songs.

When: 9-11 April
Where: Augustow Canal, Nemnovo Tourist Center, Nemnovo village, Grodno Oblast

Denis Matsuev at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

One of the greatest pianists of our time, Denis Matsuev, will perform at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. He is called a genius, an innovator, a follower of the Russian piano school, a virtuoso reviving the era of the great Emil Gilels. He performed at the most prestigious stages in the world: Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, Musikverein in Vienna, Royal Festival Hall in London, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, La Scala Theater in Milan... However, the most precious moment for him is performance in his hometown Irkutsk at the Stars on Baikal festival. During the Minsk concert, Denis Matsuev will perform well-known works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Meditation, Grand Sonata in G Major, Dumka.

When: 18.30, 12 April 
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, 1 Paris Commune, Minsk

Why Have You Forsaken Me project at the National Art Museum

This experimental project is themed around the loneliness and suffering of Jesus Christ. It features religious artworks of the 17th – 19th centuries and works by Belarusian artists of the 20th century. All of them depict pain and crucifixion. For the first time, the exposition will cut across several styles, techniques and storylines. The exposition will take its place in four halls with minimalistic atmosphere. The gallery wall layout will enable the audience to immerse themselves in mise-en-scenes of artworks and allow a one-on-one ‘communication’ with each artwork. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - this gospel quote in the title reflects the main idea of this large-scale project, which is to arouse empathy for the crucified Christ. A special feature of the exhibition will be ancient Belarusian sculpture, including patronal, roadside crucifixes, which have not been exhibited before and still need restoration.

When: From 14 April
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, 20 Lenina Street, Minsk

Jazz Legends: Duke Ellington tribute concert in Gomel

The wind orchestra of Gomel led by Maksim Rassokha will stage a unique concert within the framework of the Jazz Legends project. The orchestra will perform a new program celebrating American jazz legend Duke Ellington – a great composer, pianist, and leader of a world-famous jazz orchestra. The Gomel orchestra will perform the best pieces from the repertoire of the famous jazz orchestra: Caravan, C jam blues, In a Sentimental Mood, It don't mean a thing, Take the A train, Summertime… The concert will feature conductor and soloist Sergei Kalupakho (trumpet) and soloists Anna Kotlyarova and Stefania Khrushchova.

When: 18:30, 14 April
Where: Gomel Oblast Drama Theater, 1 Lenin Street, Gomel

MOTOVELOEXPO 2021

The 6th edition of the international exhibition MOTOVELOEXPO will bring together fans of speed and extreme races and will kickstart the 2021 motorcycling season from the Iron Pride MC Belarus. The exhibition will showcase products and services for motorcycling, cycling, outdoor activities, and sport. Apart from the main expositions displaying the latest models of vehicles and accessories, visitors will be invited to a tuning show, street culture events, the ‘active zone’, and entertainments for children. The event will also include sports competitions, performances, live music, and surprises from the organizers.

When: 17-18 April
Where: Globus-Park shopping and entertainment center, agrotown of Shchomyslitsa, Minsk District

MINSK VEGAN FEST 2021

Minsk will play host to the largest vegan and ecology festival in Belarus. The festival is all about vegans’ lifestyle and diet. The nine-hour program of the fest will include a market selling healthy products, a food court serving vegan food, lectures and discussions, cooking master classes and tastings, upbeat music, and screenings of documentaries about the power of nature.

When: 12:00-21:00, 18 April
Where: Korpus cultural center, 9/8 Masherova Avenue, Minsk

Leisure 2021 tourism expo in Minsk

Belarus’ largest tourism expo Leisure 2021 invites its participants and visitors to meet with representatives of international tourism associations, Belarusian travel agencies, and regulatory bodies in the tourism sector, find new clients and partners, and learn about the latest trends of the industry within the framework of its business program. Leisure 2021 will feature B2B WORKSHOP "LEISURE & TRAVEL" for representatives of the tourism sector. Visitors to the forum will also get familiar with the most interesting travel destinations of Belarus.

When: 23-25 April
Where: BelExpo exhibition center, 14 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk

Tamara Gverdtsiteli in Minsk

The owner of a unique voice and unbelievable charisma, the People’s Artist of Russia and Georgia Tamara Gverdtsiteli will perform in Minsk together with the Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus directed by Chief Conductor Vitaly Kulbakov. The show will feature legendary hits (Prayer, Mother’s Eyes, Vivat King) and author’s premiers. The star prepared a lot of surprises for fans during the pandemic-induced restrictions.

When: 24 April
Where: 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Palace of the Republic, Minsk

Opera Masterpieces: Maria Galkina and Olesya Petrova in Minsk

The Spring Concert will bring together two outstanding opera divas of the present day and age. Students of the outstanding pedagogue and opera diva Irina Bogacheva – a soprano of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus Maria Galkina and mezzo of the St Petersburg Mikhailovsky Theater Olesya Petrova – will perform on the Verhni Gorod stage. Listeners will be able to appreciate a special festive show that features the most famous and internationally recognized vocal masterpieces, arias, and duets from operas. Those include The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach, Rural Honor by Pietro Mascagni, Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi, Tosca and Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini, Carmen by Georges Bizet… The concertmeister of the Bolshoi Theater’s opera, a Francysk Skaryna Medal winner Yulia Shcherbakova will provide music that night.

When: 29 April
Where: 23a Svobody Square, Verhni Gorod Concert Hall, Minsk

Concert program Ennio Morricone & Nino Rota in Minsk

Ennio Morricone & Nino Rota is a project of the Sonorus music chapel led by Murad Assuil. The April concert will feature the legacy of the amazing Italian composers Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota, compositions by Henry Mancini, who became famous after the movies Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Pink Panther, The Molly Maguires, Peter Gunn were released. The show will also feature tracks from the movies The Godfather, Romeo and Juliet, Once Upon a Time in America, The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, The Mission…

When: 29 April
Where: Victoria business center, 59 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk