Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: NOVEMBER 2019

Architectural Autumn 2019

The Architectural Autumn festival started in Belarus at the same time as the school year and for the first time will last three months not three days. This season, the program includes the eighth International Biennale of Young Architects Leonardo, the national competition for the best project and construction, and a competition of diploma projects of graduates of higher and secondary magnet schools. An architectural drawing competition among university students will debut at the festival this year. The House of Architects, the main venue of the 2019 festival, will host thematic conferences, exhibitions and presentations of architects and designers, workshops…

When: 1 September – 30 November
Where: House of Architects, Minsk

Oman: The Jewel of the East. Crafts Heritage

The exhibition “Oman: the Jewel of the East. Crafts Heritage” from the collection of the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman opened in the National Art Museum of Belarus ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Belarusian main museum. The exhibition features over a hundred items which demonstrate the works of local craftsmen. The exhibition displays traditional tableware for serving food and famous Omani coffee and other items necessary for the ancient ritual of welcoming guests, as well as carpets from camel wool and other items woven by local artisans.

When: 19 September – 19 January
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk
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Not Only Banksy. Street Art from Private Collections

In addition to the work of the mysterious and world-famous graffiti artist Banksy, the exhibition will feature a painting by Dmitry Vrubel, the author of the famous composition on a fragment of the Berlin Wall “My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love”. Another draw will be an unusual motorcycle with a V-shaped engine by Yuri Shif, whose works have won dozens of awards at international competitions. The exhibition will also display works by Roma Kazus, Piotr Nol and Roman Burdanov from Russia, Lizaveta Kesauri from Poznan, Obsssnnl and Katrin Vinogradov from London, and also Dmitry Buldakov and Denis Kovalchuk from Brest, Minsk artist Kristina Scatenok, and Alex BigHomie from Pinsk.

When: 24 September – 21 November
Where: Lira exhibition hall, Minsk

Japanese Autumn 2019 in Belarus

A Japanese culture festival will bring together fans of the Land of the Rising Sun for the seventh time. The festival’s organizers offer an opportunity to get familiar with the latest Japanese movies, study several combat moves during master classes on aikido and bujinkan, study the basics of playing shakuhachi flute, practice ink wash painting (sumi-e), learn the wisdom of etegami (letters with pictures), study the art of paper folding (origami) and secrets of flower arranging (ikebana). This year’s program will also include the karate tournament SANKER CUP 2019 and the riichi mahjong tournament Minsk Midori Open, a national open spochan championship…

When: 11 October – 23 November
Where: Borisov, Vitebsk, Minsk, Mogilev

Belgazprombank’s Salon d’Automne in Minsk

This year, the largest art exhibition in Belarus Salon d’Automne will feature 150 young artists who have been chosen by a professional jury from over 400 applicants from all over Belarus. The exhibition has been held since 2015 and is similar to the legendary Paris salons at the Champs Elysees. It took this large-scale art project of Belgazprombank only several years to become a well-known platform demonstrating the latest trends in modern Belarusian art. Thanks to its educational program which includes lectures, meetings with artists, master classes, interactive excursions, quests, and classes for children, the project has become extremely popular. Last year the exhibition in the Palace of Arts in Minsk drew over 13,500 people, and it can do even better.

When: 18 October – 3 November
Where: Art-Belarus Gallery, Palace of Arts, Minsk

Festival of Organ Music in Polotsk

The international festival will bring together musicians from Belarus, France, Germany, Russia, Poland and Japan in the ancient Polotsk. According to the long-standing tradition, concerts will be held in the legendary St. Sophia Cathedral: it is here that connoisseurs of classics can enjoy the sound of not only the organ but also the baroque trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, block flute, choir, orchestra… The line-up will feature Japanese organist Hiroko Inoue and saxophonist Veronika Kozhukharova, virtuoso block flute and clarinet player Susanne Erhardt from Germany. The 2019 festival will wrap up with a concert by Polish organist Michal Kocot.

When: 20 October – 24 November 
Where: St. Sophia Cathedral, Polotsk

Minsk International Film Festival Listapad

Belarus’ major film forum, one of the largest in Europe, invites art connoisseurs to turn To Joy (this year’s slogan) and offers a rich program of 54 movies from 50 countries.  The main competition includes 12 feature films. The festival will also present the pieces by young authors, national Belarusian movies, documentaries, films for children's and youth audiences. The out-of-competition program will be as extensive. This year’s festival will debut a new section called as Cinema Language Another Syntax about the development of the cinema language, directors search, dramaturgy, and the scope of problems raised in films.

When: 1-8 November
Where: Cinema houses of Minsk
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National Art Museum Shows Off Gifts

The National Art Museum, the national treasury and largest gallery of Belarus, celebrates the 80th anniversary this year. In honor of the anniversary, the museum has put up the unique exhibition titled as Please Accept This Gift... The exhibition includes works of art donated to the museum over the past 20 years by various institutions, artists, collectors, organizations. All in all, visitors will see more than 170 works in such genres as painting, sculpture, graphics, decorative arts…

When: 1 November – 1 December 1
Where: National Art Museum, Minsk

Alla Pugacheva in Minsk

Russian well-known singer Alla Pugacheva will give a concert in Minsk for the first time in the past ten years. The new show in Minsk Arena will celebrate the 70th birthday of the Russian singer. Alla Pugacheva will treat her fans to the best hits, a spectacular show, and her great sense of humor.

When: 2 November
Where: Minsk Arena

RASTRELLI CELLO QUARTET in Minsk

One of the world-renowned cello bands, Rastrelli Cello Quartet, gave their first concert at the Belarusian Philharmonic in 2018. Today, the cello band shares the same popularity with legendary Apocalyptica. The musicians are known for the highest level of performance skills and unique shows based on a mixture of classical masterpieces with rock, jazz and pop music. In Minsk, the cello band will present their new show BEST OF RASTRELLI CELLO QUARTET featuring their best compositions.

When: 2 November
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Hall, Minsk

Valery Meladze in Minsk

Valery Meladze, well-known for his strong vocals, always performs to sold-out crowds. His well-liked hits include Devushki iz Vysshego Obshchestva, Samba Belogo Motylka, Krasivo, Salut, Vera!, Tequila-Lyubov, Nebesa, Svobodny Polyot. Valery Meladze takes part in the Russian TV show The Voice. Kids. In Minsk, he will take to the stage together with Minsk singer Stefania Sokolova who reached the final of the show under the tutelage of Valery Meladze.

When: 6 November
Where: Minsk Arena

International festival XJAZZ Minsk Edition

Founded by the German composer, trumpet and piano player Sebastian Studnitzky, the XJAZZ Festival has become an extremely popular cultural event and has won the love of the public in Belarus, Russia, Poland, France, Turkey, and Israel. The festival will begin with a mix of academic, jazz, and club music. On the second day the composer, director, and soloist Fabia Mantwill will perform the works she wrote for the famous Metropole Orkest. During the final night the percussionist Bodek Janke will present the play Global. Dance. Culture that combines music of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, India, and Africa with modern jazz music.

When: 8–10 November
Where: 3 Kozlova Street, Art Palace, Minsk 

Gala concert of La Scala stars in Minsk

Italian La Scala is one of the world’s top cultural centers: leading opera artists from various countries are eager to perform on its stage. For one night only Minsk will welcome a constellation of stars of La Scala soloists – the baritone singer Giovanni Guagliardo, the tenor singer Massimiliano Pisapia, and the soprano singer Marina Nachkebiya. The evening program will feature world classic works: solo and duet parts from Verdi’s Traviata, Rigoletto, and Troubadour, Bizet’s Carmen, Puccini’s Tosca, La bohème, Donizetti’s L'elisir d'amore, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, popular Italian songs and many other ones.

When: 13 November
Where: Minsk Concert Hall

Alessandro Safina in Minsk

The Italian opera and pop singer, owner of the unique lyrical tenor voice Alessandro Safina started his artistic career with classic operas but his experiments with rock and pop music have made him popular all over the world. Heartfelt Luna sent him to the top charts while millions of copies of the debut album Insieme a te were sold within months all over the world. The Minsk public will be treated to parts from internationally recognized opera, the best works from all the five albums released by Alessandro Safina and unexpected musical surprises.

When: 13 November
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk

Gomel Fest 2019

Gomel has hosted the Sozhsky Khorovod (Sozh Round Dance) festival for many years. This year the city will welcome a new international art festival. Gomel Fest 2019 will bring together the best singers, musicians, artists, and theater companies not only from Belarus but also from abroad. Participants will show their talents in such categories as vocal arts (for soloists, duos, ensembles, and choirs), choreography, instrumental music, theater, and visual arts.

When: 14-16 November
Where: Gomel culture center, Gomel

Scorpions in Minsk

One of the world’s most popular rock bands Scorpions will return to Minsk during their Crazy World Tour. The band has already released 18 studio albums. As many as 74 singles of the band reached gold, platinum and multi-platinum status more than 200 times in different countries. This time, the Belarusian capital will welcome all the members of the legendary band: Rudolf Schenker (guitar, backing vocalist), Klaus Meine (lead vocalist), Matthias Jabs (guitar, backing vocalist), Pawel Maciwoda (bass, backing vocalist) и Mikkey Dee (drums, percussion).

When: 15 November
Where: Minsk Arena

Artyom Shishkov’s Violin SOLO

Artyom Shishkov, an outstanding musician and first violin of Lipkind Quartet, named his concert Violin SOLO. He was tutored by famous teacher Eduard Kuchinsky at the gymnasium-college at the Belarusian State Academy of Music. Then he studied at the academy itself and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna in Dora Schwarzberg’s class. The talented violinist will return home from Germany to stage a remarkable solo concert for lovers of classical music.

When: 16 November
Where: Upper Town Concert Hall, Minsk

Teatralny Kufar 2019 in Minsk

One of the most influential youth theater forums in Eastern Europe will draw theater companies from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Nepal, and for the first time Indonesia. The forum annually brings together around 20 theaters from various parts of the world. Around 12,000 spectators come to watch fresh experimental and creative performances. This year the festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary. The festival was awarded the Brand of the Year silver medal. Since the first festival, representatives of 65 countries performed on the stage of the BSU Lyceum.

When: 18-25 November
Where: Belarusian State University, Minsk

International Festival of Modern Choreography

This year’s famous International Festival of Modern Choreography (IFMC) will feature artists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands. The program of the festival includes Anna Karenina by the Vakhtangov State Academic Theater of Moscow, the world premiere of the ballet Viy by the Kiev Modern Ballet theater company, Jan Martens’ Sweat Baby Sweat, and Labyrinth and Man of Air by Evgeny Panfilov Ballet. The festival will wrap up with Oskara, the best performance at the international dance forum Tanzmesse 2018 in Dusseldorf, by the Kukai Dantza.

When: 18-23 November
Where: Vitebsk Concert Hall, Vitebsk

Glenn Miller Orchestra in Minsk

Glenn Miller Orchestra had a tremendous success in Minsk in 2015 and is returning to the Belarusian capital this year. The repertoire of the orchestra includes pieces by outstanding composers of the big band era who wrote music in the 1930s - 1950s. The orchestra is directed by famous musician Wil Salden who brought together professional multi-instrumentalists from various countries, each of whom has a distinct performance style and is as deeply in love with jazz as Glenn Miller himself.

When: 19 November
Where: Minsk Concert Hall

Igor Krutoy anniversary concert

Igor Krutoy’s concert “You turn 65 only once!” is an event that attracts the composer’s fans from various countries and continents, and Belarus is not an exception. The first such event took place in 1994, and since then such concerts have become a tradition. Igor Krutoy loves celebrating his birthday together with fans, colleagues, and friends to inspire everyone with music. This is why he will celebrate his 65th anniversary in Minsk with a big concert that will feature such famous singers as Philipp Kirkorov, Irina Allegrova, Nikolay Baskov, Ani Lorak, Dima Bilan, Jasmin, Dimash Kudaibergen, Sergey Lazarev, and others.

When: 22 November
Where: Minsk Arena

The Pink Floyd Show UK in Minsk

The British tribute show the Pink Floyd Show UK is all about legendary hit songs of the band Pink Floyd and combinations of video installations, sound and light performances. The world tour Brick in the Wall is timed to the 40th anniversary of the album The Wall that was recorded in 1979 and sold 23 million copies around the world. The album placed 87th in the list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time compiled by the Rolling Stone magazine. Organizers of the show in Minsk have prepared a surprise: the new tour will feature Durga McBroom, a singer who participated in the recording of four Pink Floyd albums: Delicate Sound Of Thunder, The Division Bell, Pulse, and The Endless River.

When: 23 November
Where: Prime Hall, Minsk

Festival of East Asian culture EW14

For 14 years, the festival of contemporary East Asian culture has drawn fans of comic books, video games, street fashion, music, and other contemporary trends that are popular in Japan, Korea, China, and other Asian countries. The EW14 will focus on cosplay – a performance art in which all contestants try to impersonate their chosen characters as best as they can. The program of the festival includes a costume show, covers of songs and dances, acts, exhibitions of paintings, photographs, and ball-jointed dolls.

When: 23 November
Where: Palace of Culture, Minsk

JAZZinMINSK 2019 festival

Minsk will host the international jazz festival organized by Yevgeny Vladimirov for the eighth time. Organizers of JAZZinMINSK 2019 invite amateurs of jazz improvisations to meet with the best musicians from the US, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Russia, and Latvia. The festival will kick off with concerts by foreign musicians: Belarus will for the first time welcome legendary saxophonist Jesse Davis (New York) and jazz vocalist Ava Timbo (Paris) accompanied by Anderson-trio (London-Riga) who will perform jazz masterpieces of the 20th-21st centuries.

When: 28 November - 1 December
Where: Palace of the Republic, Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, Minsk