Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: OCTOBER 2020

Dear friends! We are sorry to inform you that we have to change the monthly Events Calendar on the belarus.by website. The coronavirus pandemic has led to border shutdowns, travel restrictions, cancellation or postponement of public events. People are willing to refrain from trips and entertainments to protect themselves and their families.

Belarus is taking all the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the infection. The country has neither shut down its borders nor imposed strict travel restrictions. However, Belarus calls on EVERY PERSON to be extremely careful, follow the WHO and doctors’ recommendations, observe personal hygiene rules, and, most importantly, take care of each other. If you have returned from the worst-hit regions and countries, you should seek medical attention in case of the slightest deterioration in your health and, of course, isolate yourselves as soon as possible, in order not to spread any infection, not only COVID-19.

In view of this situation, large public events are canceled or postponed. Please, check out the information in advance. Organizers promise that tickets for all postponed events will remain valid. Please, remember to stay healthy!

Minsk tops CIS list of cities for virtual tours

Belarusian Football Championship 2020

In March 2020 the 30th edition of the Belarusian Premier League became the only one in Europe and one of the few on the planet to kick off as usual amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. Matchday one drew a lot of attention from fans across many countries. Matches were broadcast live by a number of sport TV channels and also online. The decision not to cancel the tournament was taken by the Belarusian Football Federation after consultations with the UEFA. The Belarusian Premier League features 16 teams. The tournament is held in two rounds. Teams that place 15th and 16th are relegated to the Belarusian First League. Two top teams are promoted from the First to the Premier League.
Among the favorites for the Belarusian champion title are leaders of the previous season: Dinamo Brest, BATE, Shakhtyor, Dinamo Minsk, Isloch, and Torpedo BelAZ.

Where: stadiums in 12 Belarusian cities
When: 19 March – December 2020

Rarities of the National History Museum  project in Minsk

The National History Museum invites Minsk residents and tourists to visit an outdoor exhibition to see the rarities from its holdings. An unusual exhibition about the Belarusian nation and its historical heritage will be arranged on the fence of Chelyuskintsev Park (Independence Avenue) in early June. Seventy photo-banners will show the rarities from different eras: coins, weapons, national costumes, religious objects, works of fine art, arts and crafts, books, precious metals, awards, musical instruments and many more. This exposition features items presented by the five branches of the National History Museum – the Memorial House of the First Congress of the RSDLP, the Museum of Belarusian Cinema History, the Museum of Theater and Music Culture History, the Museum of Nature and Environment, and the Museum of Contemporary Belarusian Statehood.

When: 2 June 2020 – 1 June 2021
Where: Fence of Chelyuskintsev Park, Independence Avenue, Minsk
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The Artist and the City: #100UNOVIS

The exhibition “The Artist and the City”, the ninth edition of the project, has opened online for the first time. Those wishing to see the exhibition are invited to visit the website and make a virtual tour of Yakub Kolas Square. The theme of the 2020 exhibition is the 100th anniversary of the famous association UNOVIS. All artists featured at the exhibition follow the ideas and principles of Kazimir Malevich’s suprematism. The exhibition displays 32 works, some of which were created by members of the artists’ association Kvadrat that can be called a true successor of UNOVIS. The exhibition will feature Aleksandr Malei, Nikolai Dundin, Viktor Shilko, Aleksandr Dosuzhev, Aleksandr Slepov, and Valery Chukin. A physical version of the project will open once the epidemiological situation improves. Plans are in place to bring the exhibition from Minsk to Vitebsk, the birthplace of UNOVIS.

When: 14 May – 7 November
Where: Online

Heritage of Belarus in National History Museum

The exhibition, which represents the results of the Heritage of Belarus project, reveals the scale of the work carried out by its co-authors – Aleksandr Alekseev and Oleg Lukashevich who have traveled all over the country since 2001 and captured truly priceless heritage. The exhibition is based on the same-name illustrated book of 320 pages and more than 4,000 photographs, which has been reprinted 18 times. The director general of the State Hermitage Museum, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the Pope, the British Queen have a copy of the Heritage of Belarus book... The authors made 31 documentary films to recreate the portraits of outstanding people of the Belarusian land: Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Marc Chagall, Ignatius Domeyko, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Adam Mickiewicz.

When: 23  July
Where: National History Museum of Belarus, 12 Karl Marx Street, Minsk

Rene Magritte. Deceitfulness of the Visible exhibition in Minsk

When: 24 June - 4 October
Where: 37 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Libra gallery, Minsk

 

 

 

Dolls Exhibition in Minsk

Handmade vinyl dolls from Larissa Mezhevich's collection “Zawieruszynski Dolls” will be on display at an exhibition “Angels of My Soul” in Minsk. For more than 25 years, Sofia and Henry Zawieruszynski have been making dolls from silk, cotton or wool. Design of every doll is carefully thought out: stylish hairstyles, dresses made of natural fabrics, decorated with embroidery, accessorized with semi-precious stones and metals. Each of them has an identification number and a certificate of authenticity and also a unique destiny. In 2018, for example, Gabrisia, Cinderella and Liberty Grace received the Dolls Awards of Excellence at the International Dolls and Teddy Show in Orlando.

When: 21 August – 6 December
Where: National Center for Contemporary Arts of Belarus, 37 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Circus of Big Stars in Gomel

Stars from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Uzbekistan and Ossetia will present a new program in Gomel Circus. The show will feature acrobats on horizontal bars under the direction of Vladimir Yeremenko (Ukraine), juggler with the Nikulin’s Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard Alexander Kulakov (Russia), illusionist Ingvar (Russia), aerialists Veronica Rybchenok and Maksim Vinogradov (Belarus). One of the world’s leading strongmen, entry to the Guinness Book of Records Fakhriddin Akhnazarov (Uzbekistan) will demonstrate how to lift 500kg with one little finger! The audience will enjoy camels of the Caravan from the East by Sergey Yugay (Uzbekistan) and the monkey band of Andrey Teplygin (Belarus). A duet from Las Vegas CLUB HOUSE – Bella and Alex Cher – will help set the right mood.

When: 19 September-18 October
Where: Gomel State Circus, 27 Sovetskaya Street, Gomel

Music and Light expo in the National Center for Contemporary Art

The love of music has brought together contemporary artists from Austria and Belarus in one exposition. All in all, the international project has drawn together 13 artists from Belarus and 14 from Austria, including Albert Hoffman, who is already familiar to the Minsk audience. The Music and Light exposition presents the art of visible music: sound and visual images from the paintings blend together to "show" in different styles, for example, abstract expressionism, symbolism, fantastic realism. The project also features graphics, art objects and video art.

When: September 4 - November 1
Where: National Center for Contemporary Art, 3 Nekrasova Street, Minsk

Mimmo de Felice’s exhibition in Minsk

The National Center for Contemporary Art invites its visitors to take a journey to the cozy Italian town of Alberobello known for its unusual trulli houses inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was here that the famous artist Mimmo de Felice was born and lived all his life, rarely leaving his small hometown. The main characters of his paintings are the amazing Albertobello and its residents or vacationers... Often Mimmo de Felice’s paintings are compared to a newspaper report and are called the art of the moment because the artist depicts what he sees around him.
 
When: 11 September - 10  October
Where: National Center for Contemporary Art, 3 Nekrasova Street, Minsk

International Music Day in Belarusian Philharmonic

The first day of October marks two beautiful events: International Music Day and the opening of the 83rd philharmonic season. The Belarusian Philharmonic will welcome the country’s leading orchestras – the symphony and chamber orchestras under the baton of Aleksandr Anisimov and Evgeny Bushkov, and also the Shirma State Academic Choir Chapel and the State Chamber Choir of Belarus. The lineup will also feature People’s Artist of Belarus Igor Olovnikov (organ) and Honored Artist of Belarus Yulia Stefanovich (violin). The program will feature the famous works by Handel, Moniushko, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Paganini, Izai, Stravinsky, Kodaly, Abelovich, Mdivani, Palmeri.

When: October 1 
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic, 50 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

TEART 2020 international festival

Despite all the complications of the year 2020, the tenth theater forum TEART will once again present a gift to Melpomene’s fans. The program will feature productions from Belarus, Germany, France, Lithuania, and Georgia. The genres will vary from conventional operas, choreographic and documentary productions to creative ones such as non-comedy, dance play, one-scene play, wandering, presentation, and audiovisual installation. The festival will begin with Candide: or, The Optimist directed by Igor Kazakov from Mogilev on the stage of the Youth Theater in Minsk. Fans will surely appreciate The Odyssey staged by the Thalia Theater from Hamburg, the French play Pixel staged by the National Choreographic Center of Creteil and Val-de-Marne, Heroes’ Square staged by the Lithuanian National Drama Theater, and Stalingrad by the Rezo Gabriadze Theater.

When: 2 – 24 October
Where: The Belarusian State Youth Theater, the Republican Theater of Belarusian Drama, the DK MAZ community center, the Cultural Hub OK16, Minsk

AVIADRIVE in Shchuchin

The aviation festival in Shchuchin is gaining momentum with every new edition. Visitors to the seventh edition of Aviadrive festival will see various aircraft and devices, including air balloons, in action, exhibition performance from special operations units. The program will also feature a trade fair, contests from partner companies, and a food court. A pleasant addition will be an evening gala concert featuring the best national and foreign artists, DJs, a laser show and fireworks. Headliners of the festival 2020 will be the cover band Minskoe More, J MOPC, Barbara&Eduardo (CUBA), DJ-Dflex, MC Youjeen, Kazanowski music, DJ Roma Rai.

When: 3 October
Where: airfield, 4 Sovetskaya Street, Shchuchin

Circus Kaleidoscope in Minsk

The Circus Kaleidoscope show will open the season in the Belarusian State Circus on 10 October. The show will offer the audience a wonderful world of ancient tales, legends and myths of Belarus. The program will feature horse riders, fearless aerial acrobats and gymnasts, weightlifters and clowns, and also bears on a gyro scooter, the world's only juggling monkey riding a donkey, dogs-acrobats, and snow-white tigers.

When: from 10 October
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Mother’s Day concert by Belarus President Orchestra

On 14 October, Belarus will mark Mother’s Day and Orthodox believers will celebrate the Intercession of the Theotokos. Adults and children across the country will congratulate their dearest women. Of course, a lot of events will be timed to the occasion. Belarus President Orchestra will give the festive concert “With Love...” in the Palace of the Republic. The orchestra will perform famous instrumental pieces, movie soundtracks, and unforgettable legendary hit songs celebrating women.

When: 13 October
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 October Square, Minsk

Mama Mia tribute show

On Mother’s Day, the Palace of the Republic will host a new project of the Variety Theater – a tribute show featuring wold’s hit songs. Spectators will hear their favorite songs dedicated to women. Of course, the concert will feature ABBA’s legendary songs as well as covers of songs by Dalida, Cher, Elvis Presley, Queen, Garou, Christina Aguilera, Mashina Vremeni, Chaif, Alla Pugacheva, Philipp Kirkorov, Valeri Syutkin, and Verasy.

When: 14 October
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 October Square, Minsk

The 7th Minsk Craft Beer Fest

This time the Minsk Craft Beer Fest festival will become kind of an Oktoberfest in the Belarusian capital city. Traditionally the festival takes place in Minsk twice a year – in spring and autumn – and gathers over 3,000 guests. But the April 2020 festival was cancelled and rescheduled. The festival offers opportunities for tasting products of over 100 breweries from various countries. The breweries work hard to prepare for the event in order to present both popular products and the latest of the craft beer to feasters. Live music, entertainment, and surprises will be a fine addition to the festival’s program.

When: 14:00, 17 October
Where: Cultural Hub OK16 at 16 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk

Melodies of Jewish Soul: M-Klezmer Band in Minsk

Melodies of Jewish Soul will be performed by the talented musician and conductor, creator of the chamber orchestra Minsk Classic Maksim Rassokha and soloists of the M-Klezmer Band, including Viktor Puzynya (clarinet), Angelina Belanovich (soprano), and Oleg Yatsyna (violin). The rather small ensemble – violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar, contrabass, and drums – will present the entire diversity of folk klezmer music from “the cry of the violin” to the fiery “freylekhs”. The evening will be all the merrier thanks to popular tunes Hava Nagila, Chiribim, 7-40…

When: 26 October
Where: The concert hall Verhni Gorod, 23a Svobody Square, Minsk

Nikolasha, a premiere in Puppet Theater

The Minsk Puppet Theater will open its new season with a premiere of the play Nikolasha inspired by Anton Chekhov’s comedy Ivanov. The director of the new production is Honored Figure of Belarus, the winner of the National Theater Award, the Russian Award Golden Mask Aleksei Leliavsky, the production designer is Lyudmila Skitovich. The details of the novel are kept secret, but the plot is intriguing: it was written especially for the Russian Drama Korsh Theatre within just ten days. The protagonist, according to the author's plan, is “an absolutely ordinary person”. Anton Chekhov himself wrote that he “has created not a single villain, not a single angel... has accused no one, has acquitted no one....”

When: 28 October
Where: Belarusian State Puppet Theater, 20 Engelsa Street, Minsk

Kinemo. Silent movies + live music: Faust

Belarus’ only festival of silent movies and modern music Kinemo will arrange a screening of the restored masterpiece Faust (1926) by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau. The screening will be accompanied by live music performed by the Five-Storey Ensemble. The movie was produced in the style of the German expressionism. A Nobel Prize laureate, the writer Gerhart Hauptmann took part in the work. The famous actor Emil Jannings starred as Mephistopheles. Murnau’s Faust is called the most picturesque film of the world cinematography: the artful use of the method known as “play of light and shadow” without today’s special effects allowed the movie director to convincingly demonstrate supernatural phenomena inside a movie pavilion.

When: 29 October
Where: The Republican Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, 25 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk