Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: December 2017

 December 2017

Winter in Belarus 

Heritage of Belarus. Celebrating the 950th Anniversary of Minsk

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

 

Alexandre Vassiliev’s Age of Fashion exhibition in Minsk

When: 15 September 2017 – 10 January 2018
Where: National History Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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Burning Stars show in Belarusian State Circus

When: 30 September – 15 December
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

 

Treasures of Ancient Egypt exhibition in the National Art Museum

When: 9 September – 10 December
Where: The National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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International Organ Music Festival Sofia’s Bells

The 22nd edition of the international festival will gather in Polotsk the outstanding organists of Belarus, Russia Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. This season residents and guests of Polotsk will get the chance to enjoy the masterpieces of the world classics of the 18th-19th centuries and the compositions of contemporary composers in one of Europe’s best concert halls. The program of the forum, according to the organizers, will open new names and offer meetings with the best contemporary musicians. St Sophia Cathedral will host six concerts: by People’s Artist of Abkhazia Marina Shamba with the participation of Russian singer Tatyana Suchkova-Gavriivola, and also organists Albert Wisgerhof (Netherlands) and Jorgen Lindstrom (Sweden). The festival will be wrapped up with a concert of Polish musician Mateusz Rzewuski, who will perform together with the well-known Belarusian music capella Sonorus.

When: 29 October – 3 December
Where: St Sophia Cathedral, Polotsk
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Leonid Yacobson Ballet Theater in Minsk

The Saint Petersburg Academic Ballet Theater, a legendary dance company and a winner of the Golden Mask and Golden Soffit awards, was founded by outstanding choreographer of the 20th century Leonid Yacobson. As a follower of famous choreographer and reformer Michel Fokine, Leonid Yacobson has made a big contribution to the genre and style diversity in ballet. Today the dance company shows classical and original ballet miniatures all over the world in the best traditions of Russian ballet. In the run-up to the winter season the dance company will bring Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, very romantic and beautiful productions from their repertoire which have been included in the golden collection of world classics, to Minsk.

Giselle: 1 December, Palace of the Republic, Minsk

Nomadic Art of the Great Steppes in the National Art Museum

A unique exhibition dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Eurasian Great Steppes of the early Iron Age will open in the Oriental Hall of the National Art Museum, the largest museum of Belarus. The Belarusian art lovers will be the first to see the exposition "Nomadic Art of the Great Steppes" featuring about 150 ancient artifacts of the 7th -3rd centuries BC as part of the international project "March of the Golden Man Across the World". Particularly noteworthy are the original costume elements from the tomb of Saka king opened in 1969 during an expedition of famous archaeologist Kemal Akishev to the place near Almaty. The archaeologists discovered 4,800 pieces of jewelry in the ‘golden man’ burial chamber, now one of the symbols of Kazakhstan, second only to the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in terms of  wealth and treasures.

When: 2-28 December
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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International Jazz 2017: Ark Ovrutski New York Quartet and Myron Walden in Minsk

The project "International Jazz in Minsk" will wrap up the musical season 2017 with a concert of New York stars: Ark Ovrutski New York Quartet, which will perform a new program "On The Way" featuring Grammy Award winner; saxophonist, composer and arranger Myron Walden. The story of his success began at the age of 12 in New York where Walden attended the Harlem School of the Arts and took lessons with the legendary Yusef Lateef and Donald Byrd. Today his artistic legacy includes 10 solo albums and 31 albums recorded together with international jazz stars, among them Nat Adderley, Jon Hendricks, Jimmy Cobb, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Williams, Cecil Payne.

When, where: 
2 December- Palace of culture of railway workers, Gomel
3 December – Big Hall, Belarusian State Philharmonic Hall, Minsk

Song of the Year 2017 in Minsk

On the air since 1971, Song of the Year has long been a recognized mark of quality in the Soviet and then Russian and Belarusian show business. In 2016, in honor of the 45th anniversary, the spectacular show will debut on Belarus’ biggest stage – Minsk Arena. This year the project will bring together renowned artists of the Russian and Belarusian pop music, including Filipp Kirkorov, Irina Allegrova, Valery Leontiev, Polina Gagarina, Nikolai Baskov, Alina Avgust, Valeria, Sergei Lazarev, Kristina Orbakaite, Maks Barskykh, Yelena Temnikova, ALEKSEEV, Irina Dubtsova, BURITO brand, Nyusha ... Best songs  2017 will be accompanied by the Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus under the baton of principal conductor and artistic director Viktor Babarikin.

When: 3 December
Where: Minsk Arena

Sarah Brightman and the Gregorian band in Minsk

The legendary British singer and actress Sarah Brightman is one of the most popular soprano voices in the world (her range includes three octaves). She is the founder of the classic crossover style, which brought the music of philharmonic halls and conservatories to concert halls and stadiums. As part of the European tour Royal Christmas Gala Sarah Brightman will perform in Minsk for the first time together with the German band Gregorian, who are known for performing pop and rock music compositions while wearing priestly garbs and imitating Gregorian chants. Music fans are in for a treat: a presentation of the artistic experiment of the singer, who has worked together with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, has participated in the Phantom of the Opera musical, and has twice performed the Olympic Games hymn, and the choir capable of turning Rammstein songs into lyrical melodies.

When: 3 December
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk

19th Sollertinsky International Music Festival in Vitebsk

Belarus’ only chamber music festival will celebrate the 115th anniversary since the birthday of its founder — an outstanding critic of the 1920-1930s Ivan Sollertinsky. Before the festival is officially opened, a concert will be arranged by professors and students of the Vitebsk State Music College in addition to the 19th scientific readings, and an exhibition Playing Classic. Visual Immersion. The State Academic Symphonic Orchestra of Belarus conducted by Alexander Anisimov has been granted the honor of representing Belarusian art during the opening ceremony. The festival will continue with an evening full of Russian music featuring People’s Artist of Russia Maxim Fedotov and Honored Artist of Russia Galina Petrova, the concert On The Dancefloor by the German soloists band SPARK. An art program dedicated to the 130th anniversary since Marc Chagall’s birthday will be performed by the Classic-Avantgarde band.

When: 4–17 December
Where: Vitebsk State Music College, Vitebsk Oblast Philharmonic, Vitebsk

Metamorphose String Orchestra with the concert program Christmas Stars

Founded in 2015, the Belarusian string orchestra Metamorphose conducted by Pavel Lyubomudrov will present the new program Christmas Stars. It is timed to one of the key celebrations on the Christian calendar. Fans of live music will be able to dive deep into the special atmosphere of expecting miracles and magic accompanied by world classic music: Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky, Spanish Capriccio and Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov, Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky… The evening will end with the premiere of the symphonic poem by the Eurovision 2016 participant – the young Belarusian composer Anastasia Benderskaya.

When: 12 December
Where: The Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, Theater Hall, Minsk

8th Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum

The Christmas Opera Forum will gather big-name artists, musicians, stage directors, impresarios, heads of theaters and agencies from across the globe. Belarus’ National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater will host high-profile premieres, musical evenings, and best shows to feature the best soloists from Belarus, Russia, Poland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. The main draw of the forum will be the fourth edition of the Minsk International Christmas Singing Competition which will feature over 220 young performers from different countries. The jury will announce the winner of the musical marathon during the gala concert of world opera stars (famous artists and winners of past editions of the contest). Following the Christmas Singing Competition, many young artists will be invited to the world’s leading opera theaters and companies.

When: 15-22 December, 14-20 December (singing competition)
Where: Belarus’ Bolshoi Theater, Minsk
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15 December

The premiere of The Magic Flute, an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Director – professor Hans-Joachim Frey, conductor - Wilhelm Keitel (Germany). Soloists – Nadine Koutcher, the winner of the 2015 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, the two-time winner of the Russian National Theater Award Golden Mask, Andrei Valenti (Sarastro), Yuri Gorodetsky (Tamino), Irina Kuchinskaya (Pamina).

16 December

Mikhail Pandzhavidze’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana, an opera by the Italian composer Pietro Mascagni. The cast includes Yekaterina Golovleva (Santuzza), Stanislav Trifonov (Alfio), Kriskentia Stasenko (Lola). Honored Artist of Russia Akhmed Agadi (Mariinsky Theater) will take on the role as Turridu.

18 December

The opera Carmen will be staged by the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic (Poland). Lead singers: Oksana Volkova (Carmen), soloists of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic.

21 December

The premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata will be staged by Latvian director Andrejs Zagars. The cast includes Alexander Mikhnyuk (Alfredo), Vladimir Petrov (Germont), Yekaterina Mikhnovets (Flora), and Nadezhda Pavlova (Violetta Valery).

22 December

A gala concert will draw together world opera stars: big-name singers, winners of past editions of the Minsk competition and the 2017 installment.

Nino Katamadze & INSIGHT in Minsk

Georgian jazz star Nino Katamadze and Insight band are bringing their new show The Best to Minsk. Prime Hall will hear the singer’s best hits, including her latest, 8th, album YELLOW, recorded at the Berlin TRIXX Studios in 2016. The music of this talented tandem is known for its deep philosophy and unique sound. The calling card of Nino Katamadze & INSIGHT is an original mixture of several music genres: jazz, rock, blues and authentic Georgian tunes.

When: 17 December
Where: Prime Hall, Minsk

Reenactment Festival Skoki 2017

The reenactment festival in the village of Skoki, dedicated to the battle actions on the Eastern front in 1914-1918 and the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, will kick off with the international conference headlined as Great European War in Belarus. The event will gather historians, regional ethnographers and publishers from Belarus, Russia, and Poland. The venue for the festival was not a random choice: for two years the Niemcewicz Family Homestead was used as the general headquarters of Leopold of Bavaria who commanded the Eastern German Front. It is here where the armistice was signed on 15 December 1917, and the talks on concluding the Brest Peace were started. The document was signed in Brest Fortress in March 1918. The draw of the festival will be the reenactment of the winter battles in 1916-1917. The event will feature about 100 representatives of Belarusian, Russian and Polish reenactment clubs.

When: 15 – 17 December
Where: Niemcewicz Family Homestead history museum, the village of Skoki, Brest Oblast

Jazz Bridge 2017 in Minsk: YOTAM SILBERSTEIN and Apple Tea

The Jazz Bridge: Belarus-Israel project in Minsk will feature one of the best contemporary musicians, guitarist Yotam Silberstein, who at the age of 20 was named the Jazz Musician of the Year in his home country. In 2005 he received a scholarship of the prestigious New School and moved to New York. Soon after, he earned his place in the Big Apple jazz elite and performed alongside with the jazz legends such as John Patitucci, Marcus Miller, and James Moody. Today, Yotam Silberstein’s repertoire includes five solo albums and numerous joint projects with the world’s jazz stars. In the Belarusian capital the renowned guitarist will perform in the Maxim Gorky Theater together with one of country’s leading jazz bands, the winner of international festivals, Apple Tea.

When: 18 December
Where: Maksim Gorky National Academic Drama Theater, Minsk