Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: AUGUST 2020

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 neither shut down its borders nor 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

Belarusian Football Championship 2020

In March 2020 the 30th edition of the Belarusian Premier League became the only one in Europe and one of the few on the planet to kick off as usual amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. Matchday one drew a lot of attention from fans across many countries. Matches were broadcast live by a number of sport TV channels and also online. The decision not to cancel the tournament was taken by the Belarusian Football Federation after consultations with the UEFA. The Belarusian Premier League features 16 teams. The tournament is held in two rounds. Teams that place 15th and 16th are relegated to the Belarusian First League. Two top teams are promoted from the First to the Premier League.
Among the favorites for the Belarusian champion title are leaders of the previous season: Dinamo Brest, BATE, Shakhtyor, Dinamo Minsk, Isloch, and Torpedo BelAZ.

Where: stadiums in 12 Belarusian cities
When: 19 March – December 2020
20 tour: 31 July - 2 August
21 tour: 6-8 August
22 tour: 21-23 August

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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Stop COVID-19 online race

The Brest Half Marathon that was due on 5 July was postponed to autumn because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the organizers urged everyone not to give up on sports and to take part in the online race Stop COVID-19. To join the initiative, one needs to register at брестполумарафон.бел. It is possible to run any distance from 1km to 21km. Then it is necessary to send a screenshot or a photo of the tracked route.

When: 9 May – 1 September

The Artist and the City: #100UNOVIS

The exhibition “The Artist and the City”, the ninth edition of the project, has opened online for the first time. Those wishing to see the exhibition are invited to visit the website and make a virtual tour of Yakub Kolas Square. The theme of the 2020 exhibition is the 100th anniversary of the famous association UNOVIS. All artists featured at the exhibition follow the ideas and principles of Kazimir Malevich’s suprematism. The exhibition displays 32 works, some of which were created by members of the artists’ association Kvadrat that can be called a true successor of UNOVIS. The exhibition will feature Aleksandr Malei, Nikolai Dundin, Viktor Shilko, Aleksandr Dosuzhev, Aleksandr Slepov, and Valery Chukin. A physical version of the project will open once the epidemiological situation improves. Plans are in place to bring the exhibition from Minsk to Vitebsk, the birthplace of UNOVIS.

When: 14 May – 7 November
Where: Online

Triennale of Contemporary Art in Minsk

The best works of contemporary Belarusian artists will be on display during the Triennale of Contemporary Art. The exhibition has been organized as part of the contest “National Awards in Fine Arts” in 2019-2020. The exhibition features 92 works picked up by the selection committee from among 358 applications in 10 nominations. During the exhibition, a professional jury will determine the winners of the contest. Meanwhile, visitors will have a chance to enjoy art!

When: From 22  July
Where: Palace of Art, 3 Kozlova Street, Minsk

Heritage of Belarus in National History Museum

The exhibition, which represents the results of the Heritage of Belarus project, reveals the scale of the work carried out by its co-authors - Aleksandr Alekseev and Oleg Lukashevich who have traveled all over the country since 2001 and captured truly priceless heritage. The exhibition is based on the same-name illustrated book of 320 pages and more than 4,000 photographs, which has been reprinted 18 times. The director general of the State Hermitage Museum, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the Pope, the British Queen have a copy of the Heritage of Belarus book... The authors made 31 documentary films to recreate the portraits of outstanding people of the Belarusian land: Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Marc Chagall, Ignatius Domeyko, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Adam Mickiewicz.

When: 23  July
Where: National History Museum of Belarus, 12 Karl Marx Street, Minsk
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Festival of Medieval Culture in Mstislavl

The ancient Mstislavl, which is called the Belarusian Suzdal, is famous for its historical heritage. The site of an ancient settlement that has survived to this day in the town still attracts scientists and lovers of antiquity. Traditionally, on the first weekend of August, the town hosts the festival of medieval culture on the Castle Hill. Visitors will see medieval battles, buhurts, archery tournaments, maneuvers, equestrian competitions, a show of knights and even an assault of the castle! The program also includes an exposition of arts and crafts and master classes by artisans. The festival will wrap up with a concert and a fire show.

When: 1 August, 10:00
Where: Castle Hill, Mstislavl, Mogilev Oblast

BISON RACE 2020 in Logoisk

Belarus’ first extreme run competition, Bison Race, has been held in Logoisk since 2015. Participants of the August race will have to go through cold water, weights, high barriers, all kinds of climbing frames, and that's not all! Thanks to a variety of barriers, the race participants will have to pass from one into another dimension within a short period of time, to test their speed, endurance and ability!

When: 7-9 August
Where: Logoisk, Minsk Oblast

Gold Night music festival in Borisov

Borisov will host the most popular artists of our time. The Gold Night festival will open with hits of the 1990s: Viktor Saltykov, Lian Ross, Alexander Aivazov, and the Komissar group will take to the main stage of the music festival. They will be followed by the hottest contemporary music stars. Headliners of the Gold Night 2020 festival will include # 2MASHI, Olga Seryabkina, Anna Baronina, Klava Koka.

When: 14 August (15:00) - 15 August (5:00)
Where: Gagarina Street, Chekhov stopping point, Borisov

AVIADRIVE festival in Shchuchin

The aviation festival in Shchuchin grows in popularity every year. Visitors to AVIADRIVE’s seventh edition will watch various aircraft, including hot-air balloons, in action. They will also be able to see exhibition performances, visit a trading fair, take part in contests from partner companies, and enjoy refreshments in the food court. The evening program will include a gala concert featuring national and foreign singers, DJs, a laser show and fireworks. The headliners of the festival will be Minskoye More Cover Band, J MORS, Barbara & Eduardo (CUBA), DJ – Dflex, MC Youjeen, Kazanowski music, DJ Roma Rai.

When: 22-23 August
Where: Shchuchin Airfield, Grodno Oblast

Vulitsa Ezha in Minsk

The street food festival Vulitsa Ezha in the Botanical Garden invites everyone to spend a great weekend in a good company in the open air. The organizers promise a great atmosphere with a food court featuring 100 unique dishes, music, summer time activities, an entrainment zone for children, a dance floor, and art venues. Apart from that, visitors will be able to visit a local food market, a cooking workshop, a marketplace with designer products, chill-out zones with bars, and a children’s zone from Mamslet…

When: 22-23 August
Where: The Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2v Surganova Street, Minsk

Brave Run in Minsk

Dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Brave Run will gather professional runners and amateurs in Minsk’s Pobedy Park. This year’s competitions will be divided into six age categories: participants aged 15+ will have to run a 2,100-meter cross-country obstacle course (mud, a wall obstacle, a water obstacle, and other ones). According to the new rules, 50 people will be able to participate in one race at most. Parents must be present at the start line during children’s races (for participants 4-14 years of age).

When: 23 August
Where: Pobedy Park, 45 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk

Polesye Calling folk festival

Festival of ethnic and cultural traditions Polesye Calling will take you to the "cradle" of Pripyat Polesie whose inhabitants have preserved the culture, authentic traditions, folk rituals and crafts of their ancestors. The festival will feature folk bands and artisans from Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Poland, the Baltic states, India and China. Visitors will be invited to attend a fair of arts and crafts, learn the skills of crafting and folk dances, enjoy batleika performances, taste local cuisine, take a ride in a boat or compete in a canoe race.

When: 29 August
Where: Agro-town of Lyaskovichi, Petrikov District, Gomel Oblast