Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: January 2016

Residence of Father Frost in Belovezhskaya Pushcha

Christmas and New Year in Belarus

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

Multisensory exhibition Van Gogh Alive in Minsk

The unusual multimedia exhibition is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the demise of one of the world’s most popular and expensive artists — Vincent van Gogh. His legacy comprises over 2,000 pieces of art, including 930 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. The exhibition’s visitors will be able to learn about the tragic life and art of the post-impressionist artist in addition to studying his artistic style in detail by getting inside his pictures. About 400 works will be available on big screens in the exhibition area that occupies over 1,500m2. The process will be accompanied by classic music. Exhibition visitors will also be able to get a cup of coffee in the Cafe Terrace at Night, take a picture of themselves inside the Bedroom in Arles, and paint their own Starry Night during a painting master class.

When: 13 November – 31 January
Where: The exhibition space Tsekh, Minsk
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Fire Queen at Belarusian State Circus

In the run-up to Christmas and New Year the Belarusian State Circus will show the new program for children and adults Fire Queen, or The New Adventures of Kai and Gerda. An original version of the world famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen will feature an unusual director’s vision and new characters. This is a story about Kai and Gerda who, together with the Snow Maiden and the Little New Year, decided to send New Year presents to kids. But their plans were disturbed by cunning Fire Queen whose servants kidnapped the Little New Year. Viewers and the main characters will make a fascinating journey to various countries and meet with funny apes, hungry crocodiles, and dangerous lions…

When: 18 December – 10 January
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

Goya… Picasso Exhibition in Minsk

An exclusive exhibition of original works of the greatest artists of the 20th century Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso is a joint project of San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Madrid) and the National Art Museum of Belarus. Belarusian museum goers will see about 100 drawings with the total value of €1.4 million for the first time. The exposition of the main representative of Spanish Romanticism, Francisco Goya, will include the most famous drawings from the series Caprichos, The Disasters of War, Tauromaquia, and Disparates. The exposition of Pablo Picasso, the world’s most expensive artist, will feature sketches The Wounded Picador, Three Women and the Toreador, works from the Vollard Suite series, illustrations of Honore de Balzac’s The Unknown Masterpiece created upon the order of one of the biggest art dealers of the time Ambroise Vollard.

When: 21 December 2015 – 21 March 2016
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk

Roman Zaslonov’s exhibition in Minsk

An exhibition of the famous artist Roman Zaslonov, the grandson of the famous member of the Belarusian guerrilla movement, hero of the Soviet Union Konstantin Zaslonov, has opened in Minsk. The exhibition brings together more than 40 paintings made over during 20 years of his living in France. The talented graduate of the Belarusian Academy of Arts received international recognition in 1997 when he won the Salon d'Automne first prize in Paris. Currently, his works can be found in the finest galleries in France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. Roman Zaslonov’s style is an original blend of classic and modern trends of European painting, but invariably the main character of his paintings is a woman who can rise above her daily routine and dive into the world of magic.

When: 3 December 2015 – 25 January 2016
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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Fragrances of Life interactive expo

The new exhibition "Fragrances of Life" in the House of Paintings art gallery invites you to make a journey into the world of perfumery which is thousands of years old. Visitors will see a collection of the best perfumes created over the past 250 years, including 10 fragrances recreated according to the old recipes that were popular with representatives of the Romanov Imperial Family. In addition, the exhibition presents the fragrances created for famous personalities of our time: Vladimir Putin, Mireille Mathieu, Iosif Kobzon, Valery Meladze, Philipp Kirkorov ... The legendary fragrance "Belaya Rus No.5" deserves a special attention. It has been developed by Belarus-born American perfumer Sophia Grojsman who is called the Picasso of Perfumery. She is the author of about 40 best-sellers for the famous brands Kenzo, Lancome, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Estee Lauder.

When: 24 December – 14 March
Where: House of Paintings art gallery, Minsk

Paris School Artists. Born in Grodno Region Exhibition

The original copies of 15 paintings by Osip Lubich and Pinchus Kremegne, renowned artists born in the Grodno region, are on display at the New Castle of Grodno for the first time. The exhibition has been organized as part of the Art Belarus project. In the first half of the 20th century, Osip Lubich and Pinchus Kremegne were members of the famous School of Paris together with Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Michel Kikoine, and Schraga Zarfin. The artists used two absolutely different painting techniques. The expressive, dynamic works by Pinchus Kremegne from the town of Zheludok are in sharp contrast with the lyrical, color restrained paintings by Osip Lubich from Grodno. The works on display are from the holdings of Belgazprombank recognized as the largest collection of works by expressionists of the School of Paris in Eastern and Central Europe. Twelve paintings by Osip Lubich and Pinchus Kremegne were included in Belarus’ list of historical and cultural heritage.

When: 28 November 2015 – 20 January 2016
Where: Oval Hall, New Castle, Grodno

Concert of World Cinema Music in Minsk

The symphony orchestra Olimpia Classics conducted by maestro Mikhail Snitko will come to Minsk to give a grand concert dedicated to the masterpieces of world cinema. Among Mikhail Snitko’s teachers were such renowned conductors as People’s Artists of Russia Gennady Provatorov, Ilya Musin, and Gennady Rozhdestvensky. The orchestra will perform famous soundtracks from the films that have already become cinema classics. These include the Hollywood bestsellers Star Wars, Jurassic Park, the James Bond series, the Godfather, and also popular Soviet films Gentlemen of Fortune, Beware of the Car, A Hunting Accident, and Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The audience will enjoy the best episodes from their favorite films on a big screen with a live accompaniment by the orchestra.

When: 8 January
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk

ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Minsk

The best speed skaters from 17 countries will take part in the European competitions at Belarus’ biggest sport center, Minsk Arena. Belarus will be represented by Vitaly Mikhailov, Marina Zuyeva and Tatiana Mikhailova, who won this right at the national championship. Speed skating fans will have an opportunity to support their favorites at the stadium or watch the online broadcasts at the special fan zone of the Speed Skating Stadium. Fans will surely have a good time with their friends, taking part in fun competitions and prize drawings.
 
When: 9 – 10 January
Where: Speed Skating Stadium, Minsk Arena

The Leap to Freedom. Rudolf Nureyev’s Story in Minsk

People’s Artist of Russia, winner of the national Golden Mask prize Ilse Liepa and winner of the Amur Autumn prize actor Sergei Yankovsky will bring The Leap to Freedom production dedicated to Rudolf Nureyev, the world ballet star of the 20th century, to Belarus. He was called “the Genghis Khan of ballet” because of his Tatar roots and spirit and a frantic dancer for his extraordinary commitment and dedication to dancing. The drama performance features the life story of Rudolf Nureyev who made a big contribution to the fame of the Russian ballet and was even included in the Guinness Book of World Records for the greatest number of curtain calls (89 curtain calls at a single performance!). A special place in the theater production is given to Ilse Liepa personifying a wonderful muse and the seductive Paris which had been a native place for the dancer for many years.

When: 22 January
Where: Belarusian State Academic Music Theater, Minsk

Imagine Dragons in Minsk

The famous indie-rock band Imagine Dragons secured international recognition by releasing the debut album Night Visions in 2012. The album sold over 3 million copies while the singles Radioactive, It’s Time, Demons, and On Top Of The World went to top the charts in the USA. In 2014 after a successful world road tour the band won a Grammy award for the song Radioactive in the nomination The Best Rock Performance. The song also won five Billboard Music Awards during the World Music Awards festival in Monte Carlo. As part of their road tour in Minsk the rock band will present their new album Smoke+Mirrors, which rapidly rose to the top of the charts in the UK, the USA, Canada, and many other countries across the globe.

When: 22 January
Where: Chizhovka Arena, Minsk

2016 EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Minsk

The women’s final tournament of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships will take place in Minsk’s Palace of Sports. Eight best teams of the continent will compete for the 2018 Indoor World Cup spots in Argentina. Herman Kruis' team has made considerable progress in the past 10 years to secure the 6th place in the FIH overall standings. Partaking in the 2016 EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Minsk will be the European best teams, including the European reigning champion and the leader of the FIH overall standings – the Netherlands, and also such favorites as Belgium, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine. 

When: 22 – 24 January
Where: Palace of Sports, Minsk

Italian guitar player Aniello Desiderio in Minsk

A talented virtuoso guitarist of the modern world, a pupil of the recognized masters of guitar music Bruno Battisti D'Amario and Stefano Aruta, he was called a child prodigy at the age of nine thanks to outstanding performance. Today the famous Neapolitan musician is a welcome guest at many prestigious festivals. He performs together with the world’s best orchestras such as Wiener Kammer, Pomeriggi Musicali, Bach Collegium, RSO Berlin, and Moscow Virtuosi led by Vladimir Spivakov. Aniello Desiderio’s performance in Minsk will include the best works by composers Isaac Albeniz, Napoleon Costa, Mauro Giuliani, Carlo Domeniconi, Paco de Lucia…

When: 30 January
Where: The large hall of the Belarusian State Philharmonic, Minsk