Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: JANUARY 2023

Minsk tops CIS list of cities for virtual tours

Tour program ‘Loshitsa Estate in the 19th -  early 20th centuries’

Loshitsa Estate, one of the most popular sights of Minsk, invites you to go on a musical journey. During the tour of the estate, visitors will not only see the stylized interiors of the estate in which the eminent owners Eustachy Prushinsky, Ivan and Eustachy Lyubansky lived, but also learn about their fates, habits, way of life, and secrets that the walls of the estate keep. Musical program for the tour will feature the polonaise of the diplomat and composer Michal Kleofas Oginski "Farewell to the Motherland", Napoleon Orda’s piece "Serenade", a piece from the collection "Polotsk Notebook", the works of the German Johannes Brahms and Russian composer-philosopher Alexander Scriabin.

When: every Sunday at 15.00 and 17.00
Where: Loshitsa Estate museum, 10 Chizhevskikh Proezd, Minsk

Exhibition project "Museum of Christmas Tree Baubles" in the National Historical Museum

The Museum of Christmas Baubles in the run-up to the New Year will again open its doors to connoisseurs of original decorations. All in all, the collection, which is replenished every year, contains more than 2,000 baubles from 70 countries. Here, each object reflects its time, while the exhibition itself narrates the history of the creation of glass baubles and other decorations from the mid-19th century to the present day. Guests can see beautiful vintage toys and purchase or even make a gift for loved ones.

When: November 6, 2022 – February 7, 2023
Where: National Historical Museum, 12 Karl Marx Street, Minsk
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''Touch the Past'' in the Wankowicz House-Museum 

Belarusian artist-illustrator Pavel Tatarnikov’s exhibition calls to "Touch the Past". The artist is known for his illustrations to the books of such world-famous authors as William Shakespeare, Alexander Dumas, Robert Louis Stevenson, the Brothers Grimm… The winner of the highest European Golden Apple award, Pavel Tatarnikov cooperates with Belarusian, European, Japanese and Chinese publishing houses...

When: 9 November 2022 – 10 January 2023
Where: “Wankowicz House-Museum. Culture and Art of the First Half of the 19th Century", a branch of the National Art Museum of Belarus, 33a Internatsionalnaya Street, Minsk

"World Pop Art: From Warhol to Banksy"

The National Center for Contemporary Art and the FARBA Gallery have launched a new exhibition project "World Pop Art: From Warhol to Banksy".The exhibition will present about 80 works: from the most popular Marilyn and Campbell's Soup Cans series by Andy Warhol to such brilliant but controversial modern successors of pop art as Richard Ryan and street art icon Banksy. The works are made in various techniques, each of which was considered by the artist to be worthy of the viewer. There are graphics, posters, and objects loaned by private collectors and galleries. The organizers noted that now pop art has found a second wind - interest in it is reviving. The exhibition will also present the works of Belarusian authors, whose works complement the exposition. Also, guests will be offered to go through a thematic quest. The exhibition space will also encompass original photo zones.

When: 25 November 2022 – 22 January 2023
Where: National Center for Contemporary Arts, 47 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Winter holidays in Belovezhskaya Pushcha

The famous relict forest of Europe – the Belovezhskaya Pushcha national park - hosts guests all year round. But in winter, this place becomes especially attractive! In addition to admiring the unique beauty of snow-covered nature and getting acquainted with the wildlife of the forest, people rush here to spend an amazing time in the Belarusian Father Frost’s estate, the most fairytale residence of the country.

The holiday season will begin on 3 December with the traditional and popular  event - the welcome ceremony for Snow Maiden. In the fairytale estate, she will appear together with Mother Winter and her daughters - Vyuga, Stuzha and Metelitsa. On this day, guests will become participants in two exciting festivals at once. "Lights of Winter" will bring together vocal performers and amateur groups that will perform non-stop in the open-air. The festival "Kind Wizards" will feature fairytale characters. The holiday will traditionally culminate in the ceremony of lighting the lights on the Belovezhskaya Christmas tree.

With the beginning of winter, the number of guests in Belovezhskaya Pushcha increases significantly. Up to 6,000 people come to visit the Father Frost per day. To learn more about this hectic time, please see our new report from the forest. By the way, Snow Maiden and Mother Winter with their daughters will stay in the Father Frost’s estate until the end of Maslenitsa (26 February 2023).

When: from 3 December
Where: Kamenyuki village, Kamenets District, Brest Oblast, Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Father Frost’s estate

New Year's Journey in Belarusian Circus

Belarusian Circus is set to present a new program ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays. The main characters of the program will take the circus audience on a New Year’s Journey to the enigmatic North to meet wise shamans and mysterious builders of the airship, fight with cunning and treacherous robbers, meet the Northern Father Frost and even see the real inhabitants of permafrost - giant mammoths! The audience will be treated to a true winter fairy tale, filled with festive mood, thrilling adventures and breathtaking performance from Belarusian artists. The program includes gymnasts on flying masts and air trapeze, jugglers, as well as trained ponies and snow-white tigers.

When: 17 December 2022 – 15 January 2023
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

The Story of Kai and Gerda (The Snow Queen) at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

The premiere of Sergei Banevich's opera The Story of Kai and Gerda directed by Anna Motornaya will become another present for the audience to mark the 90th season of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. The story known to many generations of children around the world about insidiousness and cruelty of the Snow Queen and the miraculous and rescuing love of Kai and Gerda will be embodied on the stage of the main theater in a fabulous opera for viewers of all ages. By the way, a special prize will be drawn among those who take part in a family contest for the best New Year's toy through 20 December and present their creation dedicated to the new production.

When: 24 and 27 December 2022; 3, 4, 28, 29 January 2023
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskaya Kommuna Square, Minsk

Christmas show for children: '’Constellation of the bison, or how to save the New Year'

The Our Children charity event will culminate in the national Christmas show for children in the Palace of the Republic. This time the young audience will see a story about the young Rada and Ales who come with their parents to a village house near the Father Frost’s residence in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.  There, they learned the legend of the Starry Bison and the star of wishes that fulfill all children's dreams on New Year's Eve. However, something happens in the Constellation of the Bison – and all its stars go out, so Father Frost sends Rada and Ales to help the Starry Bison. The children will have to make a journey in search of the mysterious Thief of New Year's Stars, during which they will visit the stars of New Year's sweets, entertainment, traditions and gifts and meet their keepers.

When: 24 December 2022 – 5 January 2023
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk

New Year holidays in Minsk

From 25 December to 7 January - from Catholic Christmas to Orthodox Christmas – the city will live in a busy rhythm of celebrations, surprises and friendly meetings. On New Year's Eve, festivities will unfold across 22 venues in different parts of the city.

The main venues in Minsk are the Palace of Sports, the Town Hall on Svobody Square and the Rakov suburb.

The area near the Palace of Sports, where the atmosphere of old-time Minsk will be recreated:

• 25 December - 7 January, every hour from 14:00 - interactive performances with Father Frost and Snow Maiden;
• 25 December - 7 January, 19:00-19:45 − A Tale In The Moment interactive theatrical show;
• 25 December, 19:30-22:00 − Shchodry Vechar entertainment program with traditional and modern Christmas songs and dances, pop music hits;
• 1 January, 00:30-4:00 − New Year for All dance show with DJs and pop singers;
• 7 January, 19:30-22:00 − Merry Christmas and Happy New Year family concert.

Upper Town and Svobody Square

The keeper of New Year’s secrets of the Town Hall will tell visitors about old traditions of celebrating New Year. One of them was a New Year’s ball. Thus, half-hour interactive performances New Year’s Wishes Ball will be staged here on 25 December - 2 January at 17:00 and 20:00.

Venue on 25 Rakovskaya Street

On 20 December - 8 January, this place will host a New Year’s fair that will also offer an entertainment program with fairy-tale characters, contests, karaoke, a lottery, and New Year’s films. Concerts will be held every day at 18:00-19:00.

The largest Christmas markets in Minsk will open on 17 December. The biggest one of them, the fair near the Palace of Sports, will be running through 15 January. The fair on Oktyabrskaya Square will stay open until 7 January. On New Year’s Eve, the fair will be working till 4 am. The fair in the Upper Town will be on from 25 December to 7 January. Festive malls will appear in every district of the capital city.

International Orthodox Festival Joy in Minsk

The Orthodox festival Joy will bring together participants from different countries, including Belarus, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, and Palestine. The centerpiece of the festival will be the festive fair of icons and rare books, handmade gifts and souvenirs, designer ceramics, natural cosmetics and health products. Meet-and-greets with clergymen, doctors, writers and musicians, exhibitions, concerts and film screenings will help create an atmosphere of unity. The Christmas Dialogues event will feature outstanding people of the country - People's Artist of Belarus Aleksandr Yefremov, Honored Artist of Belarus Irina Narbekova, artist Svetlana Zhigimont.

When: 22 December 2022 – 6 January 2023
Where: Cultural Spiritual and Educational Center Kovcheg, 164 Dolginovsky Trakt, Minsk

Children's Christmas Ball in Mir Castle

The Christmas ball for young ladies and gentlemen aged between 6-12, which has already become a good tradition, will be held in the Portrait Hall of Mir Castle this year. The young participants will be assisted by professionals. They will also learn the basics of court etiquette and demonstrate their skills in ancient dances, and also enjoy games and make a wish. At the end of the gala, each child will receive a gift from the organizers.

When: 7 January 12.00, 15.00
Where: Mir Castle, 2 Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, Mir, Grodno Oblast 

Commonwealth Biathlon Cup in Raubichi

In September 2022, the second summer leg of the Commonwealth  Biathlon Cup was held at the the National Winter Olympic Training Center Raubichi. It brought together more than 50 strongest athletes from Belarus and Russia. All in all, Belarusian shooting skiers won 5 awards: 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze. All the medals were claimed by Anton Smolski and Dzinara Alimbekava. After the December leg in Ryazan Oblast, where Olympic champion of Pyeongchang 2018 Dzinara Alimbekava was unrivaled in the 12.5km Women's Mass Start 12.5km, the tournament will return to Raubichi and will host two winter legs at once.

When: 17–22 January, 23–30 January
Where: National Winter Olympic Training Center Raubichi, Raubichi village, Minsk District

January Music Nights festival in Brest

The January Music Nights classical music festival has already become a hallmark of Brest. The 35^th edition of the festival will bring together talented performers from 10 countries: Belarus, Armenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Georgia, Italy, China, Russia, Serbia and Syria. Classical music lovers will enjoy an evening of jazz music and a concert of the Moscow Operetta, solo performances by President of the Moscow International Association of Guitar Art Dmitry Borodaev and Italian flutist Antonio Amenduni. The festival will be opened by the Belarusian State Academic Symphony Orchestra and People’s Artist of Belarus Professor Igor Olovnikov. The audience will also hear pieces by the Symphony Orchestra of the Oginsky Molodechno Music College. The concert of the orchestra of folk instruments of the Shirma Brest Music College will precede the magnificent Christmas ball scheduled for the third day of the festival...

When: 9–12 January
Where: Brest Academic Drama Theater, Shirma Brest Music College, Brest

“Hollywood Music. John Williams” at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

In 2022, the global music and movie industry marked the 90^th anniversary of American composer and conductor John Williams. He won five Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards, wrote music themes for four Olympics, many television series and concerts, as well as soundtracks for a great number of movies, including Home Alone, Jaws, Superman, Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Captain Hook, Memoirs of a Geisha. These pieces will be performed at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus by the orchestra conducted by Wilhelm Keitel (Germany).

When: 10 and 11 January
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, 1 Paris Commune Square, Minsk

Beresteiskiye Sani 2023 festival-fair in Baranovichi

The regional festival-fair Beresteiskiye Sani which made its debut in January 2022 moves from Brest to Baranovichi this year. Yelena Matylevich, a local resident, has created a logo of the Beresteiskiye Sani 2023: the designer combined the image of the Baranovichi coat of arms with the winter themes of the festival. The forum will feature seven venues in the center of the city. On the main day of the festival – 14 January – its venues will be placed near the local cinemas. The three-day event will offer entertainment by artists from different parts of the region, and also presentations and product tasting from the leading enterprises of Brest Oblast.

When: 13-15 January
Where: Stockerau Boulevard, Lenin Square and Lenin Street, Baranovichi

Big New Year's Ball at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

The Bolshoi Theater of Belarus invites everyone to experience the atmosphere of magnificent balls of the 19th century on the night of 13 and 14 January. The main theme of January 2023 is Magic Fairy Tales of the New Year. The Bolshoi Theater visitors will be treated to an eventful program: traditional balls (Royal Ball and Vienna Ball), a big concert on the main stage and entertaining events in the Music Hall (Chamber Hall), karaoke with the stars and workshops in dancing, doll-making, and sweet gingerbread decoration. The ball will offer a walk along the “Milky Way”, visits to the “Hall of Elves”, the mysterious “Gothic Hall”, a glimpse at the “Chocolate Fountain”, the “Tales of Bollywood” and the unique Scented Tale of the East. The ball will wrap up with an open-air spectacular show from the theater of fire and light performances.

When: 13 January, 19.30
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskaya Kommuna Street, Minsk

Christmas Ball in Mir Castle

The magnificent residence of Svyatopolk-Mirsky princes invites you to spend the Old New Year in the atmosphere of the 18^th century. The festival in the Portrait Hall of the Mir Castle will bring together gentlemen in formal suits and ladies in exquisite outfits to match the high society of the time. Mysterious masks and silhouettes, thematic decorations and live instrumental music will help create a special atmosphere and add up to a festive mood! The guests will enjoy small talk, court etiquette, entertainment in the spirit of the age of Enlightenment - old board and moving games, dancing master classes, and pleasant surprises.

When: 14 January, 19.00
Where: Mir Castle, 2 Krasnoarmeiskaya Street, the settlement of Mir, Grodno Oblast

“Strauss-GALA. Tales from the Vienna Woods” at the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society

The old style New Year concert at the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society will be a real treat for connoisseurs of the music by the Austrian composer, conductor and violinist Johann Strauss who is known throughout the world as the ‘king of the waltz’. The audience will be taken on a music journey to the 19th century Austria. Famous waltzes and polkas, gallops and marches, arias and, of course, operetta melodies will be performed by the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Belarus under the baton of Yuri Karavayev. Taking part in the concert will be Belarusian opera singers and ballroom dancing champions, who will convey the mood of the music in vocals and movements.

When: 14 January
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, 50 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

CINEMA MEDLEY: Soundtrack show in Minsk

The audience of the exclusive Cinema Medley soundtrack show in Minsk Arena will hear the famous theme music from Star Wars, immerse themselves in the music world of Pirates of the Caribbean, visit the Black Pearl with Captain Jack Sparrow, listen to Davy Jones’ pine organ. The best soundtracks of the 20^th and 21^st centuries and their symphonic suites (medley) will be played by a symphony orchestra, organ and famous soloists. The scale of the show is impressive - 80 virtuoso musicians on one stage, jaw-dropping visual effects, music from 16 movies in one evening, including The Phantom of the Opera, Jurassic Park, Inception, Interstellar, Game of Thrones, Batman, Gladiator ...

When: 21 January
Where: Minsk Arena, 111 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk

New Version of Juno and Avos rock opera in Minsk

The legendary rock opera premiered on stage of the Lenkom Theater in Moscow in 1981. The Minsk audience will see the new interpretation of the rock opera by the Moscow State Creative Workshop led by People's Artist of Russia, composer Alexey Rybnikov. The new version combines the traditions of Russian spiritual music, folklore and popular ‘urban’ music with figurative, ideological and aesthetic messages of the composer.

When: 28 January
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk