Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: August 2017

Augustow Canal in the Culture of Three Nations festival

International expo "Ultima ratio regum. Belarus in the Northern Wars in the mid 17th – early 18th centuries”

A large-scale international project, which took two years to prepare, brought together the largest galleries of Belarus, Lithuania and Sweden such as the National History Museum, the Sela Birzai Region Museum and the Army Museum, Stockholm. The slogan "Ultima ratio regum" was not an accidental choice as a war considered to be an ultima ratio in interstate conflicts, and this inscription was featured on the French cannons since the Louis the Thirteenth. Visitors to the Mir Castle Complex will make a journey into the time of the Northern Wars which happened in the center of Europe in the middle of the 17 – early 18th centuries and which involved such powerful nations as Rzeczpospolita, Sweden and Russia. The exposition features engraved portraits, plans, maps, coins, medals and military banners, inclduing the banner of Hetman Krzysztof Radziwill.

When: 21 April – 24 September
Where: Mir Castle Complex, Grodno Oblast
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Artist and City project in Minsk

The project Artist and City featuring the copies of the best paintings of famous artists will open a new season in Minsk. It has something new in store for us this time! In previous years, visitors of the open-air gallery saw one-artist expositions dedicated to world-famous Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, Nikolai Seleshchuk, Valentin Gubarev. The Artist and City 2017 project will feature a constellation of talented artists. The exposition named The Golden Collection of the Belarusian Fine Art which will traditionally adorn the Yakub Kolas Square in Minsk for four months will showcase the best works of 35 renowned artists representing various generations and artistic genres. These include Ruslan Vashkevich, Leonid Khobotov, Vladimir Savich, Zoya Litvinova, Anatoly Baranovsky… Besides, in 2017 the Artist and City project will become one of the largest triennial projects of the Belarusian art. It may become a major event in the cultural life of Belarus and will be dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the birth of Marc Chagall.

When: starting from 27 April
Where: Yakub Kolas Square, Minsk

Project "Art Islands" at Komsomolskoye Lake in Minsk

In 2015 the maiden project "Art Islands" became the country’s largest open-air museum of installations and gathered around 500,000 contemporary art enthusiasts. This year’s exposition dedicated to the 950th anniversary of Minsk features works of Belarusian and foreign artists. All in all, it presents 11 exclusive art objects which are more than five meters high and weigh several dozen tonnes! Among the most interesting is the legendary Battle on the Nemiga River, the interactive Locator made from vines, the floral Flower Bed and the transparent three-meter Screen by the German Tape That group. Visitors can take a journey in space and time, visit the planet of love, see miniature "life forms", catch a glimpse of the everyday life of Minsk residents, listen to the city’s secrets, and also try on giant glasses...

When: 15 June – 17 September
Where: Komsomolskoye Lake, Minsk

Heritage of Belarus. Celebrating the 950th Anniversary of Minsk

Heritage of Belarus, a unique fence art project that has been running for several years already, turns urban space into a museum and introduces fans of photography to the famous sights of Belarus. In the run-up to Minsk’s 950th anniversary, the authors of the project, well-known photographers, journalists, and winners of the award for spiritual revival (2005) Alexander Alekseyev and Oleg Lukashevich, invite Minskers to make a fascinating journey to the historical places of the Belarusian capital. The art gallery on the fence of Chelyuskintsev Park, features 40 reproductions depicting the architectural landmarks, including town halls, Orthodox and Catholic churches, manor houses with luxury interiors, items of decorative and applied arts, mural paintings.

When: 15 June 2017 – June 2018
Where: Chelyuskintsev Park, Minsk

International open-air event Art Zhyzhal

The international open-air event in ceramics Art Zhyzhal will be held for the 15th time near Bobruisk, this year’s Belarus Capital of Culture. The open-air workshop will bring together 20 ceramists from 9 countries: Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, France, India and the United States. This year the main theme is flora and fauna: the artists will focus on the image of artificial nature made ‘by the man of the city’. The participants, including young apprentices, will build mud stoves and then create their own ceramic sculptures which will be displayed at the Ceramics in the Night exhibition at the Bobruisk Art Museum.

When: 12 July – 2 August
Where: Bobruisk District, Mogilev Oblast

Masters of Polish Drawings in Minsk

The exhibition Masters of Polish Drawings is a joint project of the National Art Museum of Belarus and the Polish Institute in Minsk. Belarusian art lovers will see more than 300 graphic works by Polish artists of the 19th and 20th centuries from the collection of the Podlaskie Museum in Bialystok and Suwalki District Museum. Visitors will see the works of Juliusz Kossak, Jan Matejko, Michal Elwiro Andriolli, Maksymilian Gierymski, Alfred Kowalski-Wierusz, Stanislaw Witkiewicz, Leon Wyczolkowski, Alfons Karny and others. The exposition will include portraits and cartoons, landscapes and sketches, historical scenes and phantasmagoria.

When: 20 July – 20 September
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk
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BelTA’s summer photos on display in Galleria Minsk

A photo exhibition by the Belarusian news agency BelTA has been opened in the shopping center Galleria Minsk. Titled as Summer Mood, the exhibition features 40 photos that cover big events in Belarus, illustrate picturesque landscapes, and depict citizens. The exhibition will be regularly renewed. It will feature the brightest and most interesting works by BelTA’s photo reporters. The next update will be timed to Minsk City Day as the city celebrates the 950th anniversary since the date of the first mention in historical chronicles.

When: 25 July – September
Where: Galleria Minsk mall, 9 Pobeditelei Prosepkt

International orthodox youth festival Hodegetria

Vitebsk and its suburbs will be hosting the international orthodox youth festival Hodegetria for the 15th time this year. Participants from different countries will be invited to take part in contests, a youth ball, a panel discussion Several Words about Important Things, and workshops. On 1 August young talents will give a concert in the town of Ruba. A gala festival will take place at the Summer Amphitheater of Vitebsk on 3 August. The festival will then head for Russia’s Smolensk, with a sacred procession traveling to see the Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria. The Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk will host the celebrations of the icon on 9-10 August.

When: 31 July – 4 August
Where: town of Ruba, Vitebsk

Festival of National Cultures at Minsk Town Hall

Upper Town, the historic center of Minsk, is undoubtedly one of the main tourist attractions of the Belarusian capital. Svobody Square near Minsk Town Hall gathers thousands every summer weekend. The square hosts music nights, theater performances, arts and crafts fairs… A new tradition to celebrate national cultures emerged last year. In 2017 the tradition continues and has even expanded its geography. The Days of Sweden, Russia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, and Finland were held in June-July. August promises more events. The program of the national culture days organized under the auspices of the embassies of the participating countries include local traditions, songs and dances, national cuisine, entertainment and souvenir sales.

Where: Svobody Square, Minsk
When:

5 August – Day of Korean Culture
12 August – Day of Azerbaijan Culture
19 August – Day of Ukrainian Culture
26 August – Day of Armenian Culture
27 August – Day of Indian Culture
Time: 13.00 – 18.00

Minsk Draniki Fair

Many countries have potato recipes. The Belarusian cuisine got its ones several centuries ago. Potato is called the second bread in Belarus. Today, potato recipes in the national cuisine are many, with draniki being the most popular and recognizable dish. The 2017 summer food festival in Minsk downtown will provide an opportunity to see that it is true. A huge open-air food court will treat its guests with numerous dishes of the Belarusian cuisine, including draniki (potato pancakes) with different fillings and sauces. The program of the festival will also feature food sampling and promotional campaigns, master classes from top chefs, and competitions.

When: 12 – 13 August
Where: area near the Palace of Sports, Minsk

Sporovskiye Senokosy 2017 eco festival

One of the most famous eco festivals, Sporovskiye Senokosy is held in the Sporovsky Biological Reserve. The event traditionally gathers the best scythemen from different countries. The program will feature individual and team competitions on 100m-long and 3m-wide strips of land of fenny grass. This year, the festival will also hold its first ever scything competitions for honorary guests and the fourth edition of the football tournament in a boggy meadow. Guests of the eco festival will be invited to take an eco-path tour, to observe animals and birds of the famous reserve, and listen to authentic music by famous folk bands.

When: 12 August
Where: Sporovsky Reserve, the village of Vysokoye, Bereza District, Brest Oblast

Cucumber fest in Shklov

Shklov, dubbed as Belarus’ cucumber capital, has long been known for its rich cucumber crops. The town traditionally finishes the harvest season with an event dedicated to the favorite vegetable. The event will begin with a theatrical procession featuring citizens dressed like ladies-in-waiting and gentlemen accompanying the Shklov Cucumber. A fair will be held during the festival to let the guests try different cucumber dishes: salads, pickled and marinated cucumbers, “sandwiches” with cucumbers and honey, and even cucumber vodka ogurtsovka.

When: 12 August
Where: Shklov, Mogilev Oblast

Mirum Music Festival 2017

The fifth edition of the international project Mirum Music Festival will bring together amateurs of modern music and history near Mir Castle, one of the most popular landmarks in Belarus and a pearl from the UNESCO World Heritage List. Over a few years this open air festival famous for the diversity of genres and styles has become one of the largest cultural events drawing the best performers from Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Georgia. Winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest Jamala and NaviBand representing Belarus at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest as well as popular Belarusian and foreign bands Respublika Polina and BY Soulfam (Belarus), Beissou & Einius (Lithuania), Ishome, 1/2 orchestra (Russia) will be the headliners of the festival.

When: 19 August
Where: Mir Castle Complex, Mir, Grodno Oblast

International festival of medieval culture Novogrudok Castle 2017

The international festival Novogrudok Castle will be a journey into the age of noble warriors and medieval battles. The program of the festival will include knights’ tournaments, cavalry battles, mass fights (buhurts) and strongman competitions, tournaments of archers and halberdiers. One of the most spectacular events will be the reenactment of the crowning of Grand Duke Mindouh which took place on 6 July 1253 as chronicles say. It was the King of Lithuania, as Mindouh was called in Rome even before the crowning ceremony, who managed to unite western Belarusian lands and become the first and the last king in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Besides, the program of the festival will include martial arts and medieval dancing lessons, a fair of artisans, various entertainments and contests.

When: 19 – 20 August
Where: Novogrudok Castle, Grodno Oblast

5th international festival Lepel Tsmok Welcomes

A mythology festival named after Tsmok, one of the most recognizable symbols of Lepel District, will open with the youth ethnic project Patrytsya-Gareza featuring folk and ethnic rock bands Malala, Vargan, Lepshy Kvas, Agata, Rokash, Palats, Нarmonic Style Project, and guests of the festival TaRuta from Ukraine. There will be a few thematic zones in the municipal park, namely the Children’s Hill where young guests will listen to Belarusian fairy-tales and watch a puppet show, Dancing Valley with traditional song and dance lessons, Artisans’ Valley with a fair and workshops of artisans, Culinary Island featuring presentations of rural estates and national food tasting, and Tourist Coast with popular entertainments and games.

When: 20 August
Where: Lepel, Vitebsk Oblast

Gannensky Kirmash fair 2017 in Zelva

Gannensky Kirmash (St. Anna’s Fair) gained prominence back in the 18th century as one of the largest fairs in Europe. These days it continues gathering thousands of participants and visitors in the ancient Belarusian town of Zelva. Centuries ago Zelva became the horse trading hub for the entire world. Every year the owner of these lands – Prince Aleksander Sapieha – put about 1,000 pedigree horses up for sale… Horses are still a treasured commodity these days: horseback riding and horse cart riding are popular attractions for guests of the fair. This year’s fair will feature a theatrical parade, a fair of arts and crafts, an exhibition of round breads, presentations of farm tourism estates, samples of Belarusian cuisine dishes, recreation of folk rites, a concert by artists from Belarus, Latvia, and Poland…

When: 25 – 26 August
Where: Zelva, Grodno Oblast

Fourth ethnic festival Visiting the Radimichis

The fourth edition of the ethnic festival Visiting the Radimichis will take place in the agrotown of Radomlya, Chausy District. Scientists suppose the Radimichi tribe lived in this land many centuries ago. A castle was built on the ruins of an ancient settlement. The castle has not survived but some years ago an open-air museum was set up at this place to reconstruct the traditional settlement of the Radimichis. An early-medieval-style ethnic festival was organized, too. This year it offers a large program: exhibition fights, a culinary fest with a tasting of traditional local dishes, workshops with craftsmen, ethnic dances, interactive activities, and fire shows. The museum will also showcase new exhibits, a ceramic furnace and a "shrine to Perun".

When: 26 – 27 August
Where: Radomlya, Chausy District, Mogilev Oblast

Augustow Canal in the Culture of Three Nations festival

The famous folk art festival is traditionally held in the area of the Augustow Canal – a feat of engineering and a tourist attraction for three neighboring countries. The festival brings together performers from Belarus, Lithuania, and Poland. Apart from concerts the festival venue near the Dombrowka sluice will play host to various sport events: beach volleyball, tug of war, darts, and kettlebell lifting. Visitors will be able to appreciate performances by folk music bands, fairs, and workshops by local artisans, presentations of national countryside houses with national cuisines in the open air…

When: 26 August
Where: Dombrowka sluice, Augustow Canal, Grodno Oblast

Folk arts and crafts festival Dribin Fair

Felt boots from the town of Dribin represent one of the most famous Belarusian souvenir brands. This souvenir brings tourists, fans of folklore and history of Belarusian arts and crafts, and collectors from all over the world to the town of Dribin, Mogilev Oblast. It is no surprise: the ancient felt boot manufacturing technologies, traditions, and the secret language of the local craftsmen have been preserved carefully, have gained prominence in the present time, and have been nominated for inscription into the UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List. A city of artisans will be the main venue of the quaint festival. Belarusian arts and crafts will be represented there such as pottery, coopering, woodcarving, straw weaving and bead weaving, weaving and embroidery. Visitors will be able to learn the tricks of the local felt masters. In particular, they will be taught how to make felt boots, headgear, mittens and embellishments. Certainly, visitors are in for a fair of souvenirs, exhibitions, workshops, and folk music concerts.

When: When: 26 – 27 August
Where: Dribin, Mogilev Oblast