Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: February 2015

International Sled Dog Race Zavirukha

Slutsk belts to go on display in Minsk

Slutsk belts are a unique relic of the Belarusian people and part of the world cultural heritage. These masterpieces of weaving art were made in the 18th - 19th centuries. The most famous manufactory making these belts was in Slutsk and was owned by the Radziwill dukes. Since ancient times, elaborate kontush belts made of silk, gold and silver threads were a mandatory accessory of ceremonial costume of the nobility of Rzeczpospolita. The belts were usually worn on top of a kontush, a long robe with long and loose sleeves. The exhibition in Minsk will feature six Slutsk belts loaned from the National Museum in Warsaw which is known for its rich collections of belts. Five belts which will be on display in Minsk were made by Slutsk Manufactory in the period when it was led by Yan and Leon Madjarski (1767-1807). One belt was made after 1807.

When: 6 November 2014 – 4 April 2015
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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Chocolate Museum Nicolya in Minsk

The prominent Ukrainian confectioner Nikolai Popov has made many original masterpieces, including the chocolate room in Mir Castle, miniatures of the Rumyantsevs-Paskevichs Palace in Gomel and the New Castle in Grodno. Nikolai Popov will present a new exhibition in the Belarusian capital. Visitors will be able to see over 200 exclusive sweet works such as a chocolate table with antiques, the large and small crowns of the Russian Empire, Faberge eggs, the famous picture The Chocolate Girl, the two-meter Eiffel tower that weighs 45kg and is made of 512 parts. The new exhibits include samples of Belarusian art, weapons, masks, household articles and even the popular Belarusian cuisine dish — draniki… The exhibition will be built around the world’s largest picture that depicts Belarus’ places of interest.

When: 4 December 2014 – 1 May 2015
Where: The National History Museum, Minsk

Giant Fountains Show in Belarusian State Circus

Belarus’ biggest circus proudly presents the Japanese-Russian project Giant Fountains Show that boasts exclusive engineering and design solutions. During the show the arena turns into a water pool enclosing 120 tonnes of water and 600 fountains erupting 18 meters high. The ultra-modern show features acrobats, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, equilibrists, illusionists and a jolly clown duo Dolly and Domino (Merited Artists of Russia Lada Sarnatskaya and Alexander Sarnatsky). The show also involves animals, brown bears, white wolves, cats, monkeys, who will show their dancing, hula-hooping, stunting and jumping skills.

When: 30 January-1 May
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

The World of Robert Schumann Concert

The Belarusian State Philharmonic invites lovers of classic music to hear the timeless masterpieces of Robert Schumann. The outstanding composer wrote music in various genres. The audience will be able to hear his famous Kreisleriana that is considered one of his best works, three Fantasiestucke for cello and piano, and the vocal cycle Dichterliebe to Heinrich Heine’s words. The concert will star soloist of the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus baritone Ilya Silchukov, cello player Alexei Afanasyev and pianist Olga Zapolskaya.

When: 1 February
Where: Grigory Shirma Hall, Belarusian State Philharmonic, Minsk

Minsk Jazz 2015

The National Academic Concert Orchestra led by People’s Artist of Belarus Professor Mikhail Finberg will present a new program celebrating the legends of Belarusian and global jazz music. At the opening concert the audience will hear contemporary jazz music from various countries. The playbill features the following concerts: American Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, and the program “Shanghai-Minsk. Living the Jazz Life” dedicated to the centennial anniversary of the outstanding musician Boris Raisky who, together with Eddie Rosner, is considered the father of Belarusian jazz.

When: 4-6 February
Where: Dzerzhinsky Club, Minsk

First Winter Charity Ball in Minsk

The international charity project to support the children living in the SOS Children's Villages in Belarus will be held in Minsk for the first time and will bring together representatives of diplomatic missions, businessmen, famous persons of media, culture and sports. The words of Hermann Gmeiner, the founder of the international organization "SOS Children's Villages", “Great things happen only because someone does more than he has to" have become the motto of the event. The program of the ball includes a charity auction of works of art, jazz and classical music, classical and modern choreography, a gala dinner by the famous Italian chef, and lots of surprises.

When: 7 February
Where: Ballroom, Renaissance Minsk Hotel

22nd Minsk International Book Fair

This major book fair will bring together publishers from 25 countries around the world. China has been named the Guest of Honor, and Russia the central exhibitor. The largest expos will be arranged by Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Iran. The first international symposium of writers "Writer and Time" will draw the famous and aspiring authors from different countries who will discuss topical issues of our time. The organizers of the fair will also sum up the results of the International Poster Competition dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Great Victory, and the national contest “Art of Book” and will give a start to the National Literature Award contest. The program of the fair will be diverse with seminars, roundtables, book presentations, meetings with authors, publishers, and artists...

When: 11-15 February
Where: BelEXPO exhibition center, Minsk
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16th International Orthodox Church Music Festival Kalozha Blagovest

The music festival in the "royal city” of Grodno will gather about 40 teams from around the world, including Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova. The contest will feature choirs of children's Sunday schools, church choirs and music groups, children’s and adult amateur choirs. Within the framework of the event Kalozha Church, one of the oldest temples in Belarus, will host an exhibition of icons by modern artists from Belarus, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine. The program of the festival also includes concerts, soirees of bard songs and spiritual poetry, cinema lectures, and the presentation of the book-album "Bells of Orthodox Churches of Western Belarus" by art critic Yelena Shatko.

When: 11-14 February
Where: Grodno
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Yunona and Avos Ice Show in Minsk

Minsk will see an unusual new version of Alexei Rybnikov’s legendary rock opera that has been staged with success in many theaters of the world for more than 30 years already. Dancers of the Saint Petersburg State Ice Theater led by Olympic champion Yelena Berezhnaya bring the dramatic love story onto the ice. Five-time champions of the United States, two-time winners of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships Piotr Chernyshov and Naomi Lang will appear in the show as Nikolai Rezanov and Concepcion Arguello, with Yelena Berezhnaya playing the part of the angel. The famous rock opera that centers around a passionate and sad love story between the daughter of the San Francisco Governor and the Russian nobleman, is transformed into an amazing dancing composition with interesting scene sets, special effects and, of course, wonderful music. The part of the main hero is sung by outstanding actor Nikolai Karachentsov who has made numerous appearances as Rezanov in the Yunona and Avos first production. The ice show will take place at Minsk’s Chizhovka Arena.

When: 13 – 14 February
Where: Chizhovka Arena, Minsk

Maslenitsa Festival in Belarus

Maslenitsa is one of the most flamboyant folk rites, a mixture of Pagan and Christian cultures that survive to the present day. This ancient feast traditionally kicks off on the last week ahead of the Great Lent – Cheese Week. In the anticipation of spring our ancestors used to bid farewell to winter in a most cheerful manner. That is why the main dish during the Maslenitsa Week was pancakes, symbolizing the sun. Pancakes were made to please the god of spring, warmth and fertility Yarila… The Maslenitsa Week promises numerous celebrations throughout the country, including exhibitions and fairs, concerts, theater shows, folk band performances, batleika shows (folk puppet theater), contests and sports competitions…

When: 16 – 22 February
Where: Squares and parks, ethnographic centers and open-air museums, ski resorts

Mikhail Zhvanetsky in Minsk

The Belarusian capital will once again host an evening with Mikhail Zhvanetsky, a famous writer of satire, an author of comic sketches, the founder of the Moscow Theater of Miniatures, the People’s Artist of Russia and Ukraine. At his concert in the Palace of the Republic the permanent host of the popular Russian TV show On Duty in the Country will read out the best sketches in his signature style imitating the peculiar “Odessa accent”. By the way, every Mikhail Zhvanetsky’s concert is unique as it is full of wonderful improvisations. Of course, the evening will include Mikhail Zhvanetsky’s signature jokes!

When: 17 February
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk

IBU Youth/Junior World Championships

The world championships in Belarus will bring together over 600 junior athletes from around the world. The National Winter Olympic Training Center Raubichi will be the main venue of the event as the center has one of the world’s best biathlon stadiums. The decision in favor of Belarus was made due to the outstanding achievements of Belarusian biathletes, including the star of the modern-day biathlon Darya Domracheva who won three gold medals at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. During the championships 16 sets of medals in four disciplines (Individual, Sprint, Pursuit, Relay Race) will be awarded to winners of the competitions.

When: 17-24 February
Where: National Winter Olympic Training Center Raubichi, Minsk
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7th International Winter Festival Zavirukha 2015

The annual motor festival will bring together hundreds of participants and spectators from Belarus and neighboring countries. The program of the event includes cross-country racing of quad bikes, motocross bikes and sidecars, trikes, unimotorcycle drag racing, and orienteering for quad riders. The most spectacular event will be the demolition derby which requires drivers to be extremely focused and professional. Besides, amateurs of extreme sports will take part in the contest for the most daring driver. The winner will have to cover the biggest distance to the festival’s venue by bike. Visitors of the festival will enjoy fascinating open-air contests and music, hot dishes and drinks.

When: 20-22 February
Where: BSU sports and recreation complex Brigantina, Radoshkovichi, Molodechno District

Yury Shevchuk and DDT Band on Tour in Belarus

The legendary rock band DDT and their permanent leader Yury Shevchuk are coming to Belarus as part of a large-scale tour after an almost six-year hiatus. They will give four concerts at the largest venues in the country. The band will perform their hits and new songs from the latest album Prozrachny (transparent) that conveys a great conceptual idea through good music and high-quality sound.

When, where: 
20 February – Ice Palace, Vitebsk
22 February – Dinamo Track and Field Complex, Gomel
24 February – Ice Palace, Brest
26 February – Minsk Arena

Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili in Minsk

The Georgian ballet Sukhishvili that is often called the eighth wonder of the world was the first folk dance company to perform in Milan's La Scala. Its dancers received standing ovation at the famous Metropolitan Opera, Broadway, Albert Hall, and dozens of other world’s best stages… The shows of the famous company represent an amazing combination of national traditions of dancing and folklore of Georgia, astounding energy, and modern technologies. The dance company has been directed by three generations of the Sukhishvili-Ramishvili dynasty. In Minsk they will present the seventieth-anniversary jubilee program featuring their best performances.

When, Where:
25 February – Mogilev Oblast Palace of Culture, Mogilev
26 February – Vitebsk Concert Hall, Vitebsk
27 February – Palace of Republic, Minsk

World’s Jazz Stars in Minsk

The music program Golden DUKE will be dedicated to the winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the greatest jazz innovator of the 20th century, and the founder of a legendary orchestra Duke Ellington. “Duke” – this is how friends used to call the dark-skinned boy from Washington who would later become a great musician because of his passion for gorgeous clothes. Maestro’s best jazz compositions will be performed by the famous Russian “Brill-Jazz” quintet of brothers Alexander and Dmitry Brill, sons of the outstanding jazz pianist, People’s Artist of Russia Igor Brill, with the participation of American drummer Willard Dyson. 

When: 26 February
Where: Big Concert Hall, Belarusian State Philharmonic, Minsk

Belarus Events Calendar: January 2015