Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: August 2015

Mirum Music Festival at the walls of Mir Castle 

Extreme Guinness World Records at Belarusian State Circus

The new program will gather great circus performers and winners of international festivals from around the world at the Belarusian State Circus. The fascinating show will feature record holders from the Guinness Book of World Records, such as the "king of a one-wheeled bike" and the author of 40 records Peter Rosendahl from Sweden, the Swiss illusionists who invented giant soap bubbles, and the tamer and snake charmer Bruno Medjalaro from Italy who will show the power of giant pythons, anacondas, scorpions, and spiders. The program will also include performances by aerial acrobats, gymnasts, acrobats on a teeterboard, Italian clowns from the famous Salvini dynasty, and tamers of camels, llamas, and monkeys.

When: from 9 May till 2 August
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

Exhibition of reproductions of Nikolai Seleshchuk’s works The Artist and the City

The project The Artist and the City that became famous after the exhibitions of reproductions of works by the great artists Marc Chagall and Kazimir Malevich invites the residents and guests of Minsk to get acquainted with Nikolai Seleshchuk, an outstanding Belarusian artist of the 20th century who was a black-and-white artist, an illustrator, and a laureate of the State Prize of Belarus. He was one of the first Belarusian surrealists. The exhibition under the open sky features 30 reproductions of the works by the "Belarusian Salvador Dali" from the holdings of the leading Belarusian museums, including the National Art Museum of Belarus and the Mogilev Regional Art Museum named after Pavel Maslenikov. The visitors to the exhibition will see the artist’s most important paintings including Chronicle of One Day, Way Home, and Portrait  of a Girl …

When: from 14 May till 10 September
Where: Yakub Kolas Square, Minsk

1st International Festival of Sand Sculptures in Minsk

The festival, which is new for Belarus, presents the works by the best masters from six Russian cities: within two weeks in May they created an amazing gallery of sculptures near the walls of the Minsk Church of All Saints. The sculptures will remain in place until the end of August. The exhibition titled World Collection brings together the sculptures dedicated to the Slavonic culture and religion, the Middle Eastern art, myths about the mysterious Atlantis, mysterious Easter Island, sunny Africa... One of the most impressive sculptures is a 4-meter-high monument dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. At night the open-air gallery is illuminated by LED lights, which makes fragile artworks from sand look even more expressive and mesmerizing...

When: 3 May – 30 August
Where: 121 Kalinovskogo Street, Minsk; near the Church of All Saints

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

Art Island in Komsomolskoye Lake in Minsk

The Art Island project is designed to create an interactive outdoor “museum” that will feature 14 sculptures reflecting various branches of modern Belarusian art. Visitors of the exhibition will be able to see unique art objects such as a bench looking like a clothes peg, a Babylon tower made of old beehives, “a frozen tune”, “a cheese chair”, an iron hockey player, a trash-art cat made of metal and screw nuts, a forged centaur, angel wings connected by a parachute… The authors of the unusual exhibits are 11 Belarusian artists: Konstantin Selikhanov, Piotr Kuzmich, Konstantin Kostyuchenko, Pavel Voinitsky, Valery Malakhov, Mikhail Shikov, Denis Barsukov, Vadim Matskevich, Tatiana Gomza, Igor Leontyev, and Viktor Aster. The project’s scale is also amazing: the total weight of the exhibits exceeds 20 tonnes while one of the works – the Stilt-Walker sculpture is six meters high.

When: 18 June – 14 September
Where: Komsomoltsev Island, Komsomolskoye Lake, Minsk

Fashion history exhibition

Marina Ivanova’s Fashion History Museum invites experts and art lovers to immerse into the atmosphere of Belle Epoque, one of the most important periods in the history of fashion that radically changed the idea of women's costume. The exhibition features more than 100 vintage dresses made between 1870 and 1930: wedding dresses, business suits, clothing for races and walks, velvet dresses, pearl embroidered gowns… The exhibition also displays the authentic accessories of the 18th-20th centuries: shoes, purses, hats, gloves, and umbrellas. Of particular interest is the evening wrap with a fern pattern and a sky-blue Irish lace dress made in 1910. The children’s section showcases children’s clothing, toys, dolls, prams, bicycles and other things.

When: 10 July – 6 September
Where: National History Museum, Minsk

Max Mirnyi’s expo in Mir Castle

The exhibition featuring Max Mirnyi’s trophies is dedicated to the life and sporting achievements of Max Mirnyi, one of Belarus’ most famous tennis players: the ten-time Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles winner, Olympic champion. On display are about 200 sports trophies, medals, cups, rackets, watches, souvenirs, gifts. Among them is the very first award, the Oriental carpet from Uzbekistan, and the most valuable one, the gold medal which Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka in the mixed doubles at the Olympic Games in London in 2012. In addition, the exhibition presents a unique collection of badges and pins which Max Mirnyi’s family collected at the Olympic Games, and the photos depicting the athlete during competitions, together with well-known personalities, among them Jim Carrey, Renata Litvinova, Igor Krutoy.

When: 10 June - 31 October
Where: Mir Castle, Grodno Oblast.

Expedition Tour 2015

The festival-expedition will bring together 1000 enthusiasts of active lifestyle from Belarus and other countries. The participants of the festival will compete in mini-soccer, beach soccer and volleyball, table tennis, badminton, darts. The program will feature the professional kayaking competitions Baltic Cup 2015, the bike race Cycling Trophy and the ATV race KVADRO Trophy. In addition, the program includes a culinary battle, a tasting test and an entertainment program: open-air concerts, parties, contests, and attractions.

When: 31 July – 2 August
Where: picnic-hotel Expedition, village of Oktyabr, Logoisk District, Minsk Oblast

Classical Music near Minsk Town Hall

This year the program of the Saturday evenings at the Minsk Town Hall has been very diverse: classical masterpieces by the world-famous Austrian composers Mozart, Strauss and Haydn, popular tango tunes, Baroque compositions by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. For the first time the music plein air is held in the format of a promenade inviting listeners to enjoy good music during strolls around the city. One of the most memorable events will be the final concert which will be dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the birth of composer Michal Kleofas Oginski. Guests will immerse into the atmosphere of the 19th-century balls and will be bale to dance to Oginski’s music performed by the ancient music group Cantabile.

When: 1 August
Where: Svobody Square, Minsk

Friendship Festival 2015

This year the international open-air festival, which drew together more than 3,000 fans of alternative music last year, invites you to enjoy the music by popular domestic and foreign performers and groups. The festival-picnic will feature famous groups: J: Mors, Nizkiz, Drum Ecstasy, Trubetskoy, Silver Wedding, Krama... In addition to the live show, it will offer a great entertainment program: an art-fair and creative workshops, sporting events and summer games, attractions for children, a zoo garden. The actively inclined will be able to play soccer, volleyball, badminton, Frisbee, and take part in a variety of competitions.

When: 1 August
Where: the eco-tourism center Stankovo, Dzerzhinsk District, Minsk Oblast

Motalskiya Prysmaki food festival 2015

A unique festival dedicated to the culinary traditions of the Belarusian Polesie invites guests to visit Motol, a birthplace of the first Israel President Chaim Weizmann. The festival will open with a procession of participants and a theatrical show on the main square of the village. The program of the festival features a roundtable, tasting of dishes of national cuisine, a Motol Ball and a concert and laser show "Lighting Festival Stars". According to the tradition, during the festival the streets turn into shopping stalls where guests can taste the famous Motol sausages and pies, other dishes made by local housewives. by the Belarusian folk groups, old games and folk rituals will add to the unique atmosphere of the festival.

When: 7-8 August
Where: agro-town Motol, Ivanovo District, Brest Oblast

Mirum Music Festival 2015

The music festival which takes place in the picturesque town of Mir at the walls of a magnificent castle of the 16th century, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, has acquired a status of a large-scale cultural event in the span of just a few years. This year the fest headliners will be well-known Georgian jazz singer and composer Nino Katamadze and Insight band and Ukraine’s electro-folk project ONUKA, one of the brightest music discoveries of 2014. The festival will feature Lithuania’s pop/experimental/electronic band Leon Somov & Jazzu, Russia’s band NAADYA, and the Belarusian pioneer in phonemic singing Nagual, which songs include sounds from all over the world.

When: 8 August
Where: Mir Castle, Mir, Grodno Oblast
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Visiting Lepel Tsmok Festival

The international mythology festival in the ancient town of Lepel invites everyone to see the mysterious world of Belarusian legends and fables. A marvelous creature tsmok, resembling a dragon, was believed to be a master of lakes and bogs in the old times. Today it is one of the most recognized symbols of Lepel District. Belarus’ only bronze monument to this unusual character from Vladimir Korotkevich’s novel Christ Landed in Grodno was erected on the shore of the city’s lake in 2013. The program of the fest will include a science-to-practice conference, a plein air of young artists, a presentation of farmsteads, a performance of folk groups, creative workshops and fairs featuring Belarusian souvenirs. The guests will also be treated to numerous entertainments, with the most romantic and breathtaking of them to be a trip in a 30-seat wooden boat along Lepel Lake.

When: 8 August
Where: Lepel, Vitebsk Oblast

Sporovsky Hay Harvest 2015 Festival

A big international festival traditionally held on the reserve lands of Pripyat Polesie will play host to the 10th European Hand-Scything Championship. Partaking in the competitions will be the best scythemen from more than 25 countries, including Belarus, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and Ukraine. The program will comprise individual and team competitions in cutting fenny grass on a 100m-long and 3m-wide strip of land. The winner will represent his country at the World Scything Championship, which is due to take place at the Biebrza National Park in Poland. Guests of the festival will be able to see the competitions, make a trip along the bog, watch birds, test a rope path, enjoy authentic music performed by well-known folk bands.

When: 8 August
Where: Sporovsky Reserve, Vysokoye village, Bereza District, Brest Oblast

Cucumber Festival in Shklov

The town of Shklov, dubbed as the “cucumber capital of Belarus”, has been famous for good cucumber harvests for ages. The unusual sculptural composition featuring a cheerful “cucumber man” holding a basket with cucumbers in the one hand and a yellow flower in the other was unveiled in the town in 2007. The festival will traditionally begin with a street procession of Shklov Cucumber who will parade accompanied by ladies and gentlemen and "cucumber" contests. The trade stalls will offer vegetables from private gardens, pickles and marinades, tasty salads, unusual cucumber-honey sandwiches and even cucumber vodka "ogurtsovka"…

When: 8 August
Where: Shklov, Mogilev District

Gustav Klimt reproductions in Minsk

As part of the Art Bazaar project Belarusian connoisseurs of art will see, for the first time, the full-sized reproductions of the paintings of well-known artist, founder of the Modern style in the Austrian painting Gustav Klimt. The exposition will feature more than 30 artworks. Among them is the famous Kiss showing the artist himself and his lover Emilie Floge. The event will also include a screening of the film Private Life of Masterpieces. Gustav Klimt “Kiss” that will open the secret of one of the world’s most replicated artworks. Visitors will be offered to have a good time in the lounge zone, try an original water makeup, buy souvenirs and reproductions for home decoration.

When: 8 – 9 August
Where: Palace of Art, Minsk

Mrs Universe 2015 in Minsk

The international beauty pageant will take place in the Belarusian capital for the first time and will gather over 60 married beauties from different countries: Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, the UK, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, India, Malaysia, Malta… Belarus got the right to host the event thanks to the success of its beauties: Svetlana Kuznetsova, who shared the first place with Malaysia’s Carol Lee in 2013, and Mrs Glamorous 2014 Natalia Trofimova. This year the competition will highlight the problem of violence against women. The international jury with assess not only contestants’ looks but also their life philosophy.

When: 24 – 30 August
Where: Minsk 

Linkin Park in Minsk

One of the most famous alternative rock bands, two-time Grammy Award winner Linkin Park will make a debut appearance in Minsk as part of the global tour for the sixth studio album The Hunting Party (2014). The new tracks became fast one of the most popular songs at iTunes in 67 countries and brought huge success to the musicians. Such renowned guitar players as Daron Malakian from System of a Down, Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and Page Hamilton from Helmet took part in the creation of the album. While preparing for the concert Belarusian fans of Linkin Park made a video excursion around Minsk for the leader of the band Chester Bennington.

When: 27 August
Where: Minsk Arena

Medieval culture festival Golshany Castle 2015

The sixth edition of the Golshany Castle festival will gather lovers of medieval culture, music, and theatrical art at the mysterious residence of the Sapieha family. This year, the festival will celebrate several historical anniversaries, including the 735th anniversary of the ancient town of Golshany, the 405th anniversary of the famous castle, and the 610th birthday of Sophia of Golshany, the legendary founder of the royal Jagiellonian dynasty. The program of the festival includes a fest in the center of Golshany and a theatrical procession to the ruins of the castle, a concert-medley from the most famous productions of the Belarusian State Musical Theater, a performance by Vir street theater, master classes in stilt walking and medieval dancing, spectacular jousting tournaments and a horse show "The Knight's Tale", and an exhibition of arts and crafts. In the evening, guests of the festival will enjoy a concert by the famous Belarusian medieval music groups and a fire show.

Where: Town of Golshany, Oshmyany District, Grodno Oblast
When: 29 August
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Moscow wonder ballet in Belarus

The famous Moscow company Classical Russian Ballet led by principal soloist of the theater Hassan Usmanov will show Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcraker, which have been included in the golden collection of the Russian ballet, in Minsk for the first time. The Belarusian audience will see an amazing synthesis of classical ballet, figure skating and circus. For two nights the famous dancers and young graduates of the best ballet schools will be showing world ballet masterpieces in combination with fascinating stunts and acrobatic skills, graceful dancing on ice, visual and sound effects.

When, where:
29-30 August - Minsk Concert Hall
31 August - Community Center of Railroaders, Gomel

International Festival Magnificat 2015

The festival of Christian films and TV programs promoting everlasting values will traditionally bring together directors and amateurs of cinema. This year the organizers of the festival received a record high number of applications: 50 documentaries and TV programs from 17 countries, including the festival’s newcomer Austria. The geography of the festival has expanded significantly: its opening will traditionally take place in Minsk, competing films and TV programs will be shown in Glubokoye, Udelo, Ives, Zadorozhye. For the first time the festival will include a children’s cartoon animation studio led by many-time winner of the festival, famous Polish animator Jana Poljak.

When: 30 August – 3 September
Where: Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary, Minsk
Glubokoye District, Vitebsk Oblast
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