Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: OCTOBER 2021

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 not 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

Tadeusz Kosciuszko as an Artist

4 February marked the 275th anniversary of the birth of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the national hero of Belarus, Poland and the United States. On this day, the Memorial Manor Museum in Merechevshchina in the town of Kossovo, the hometown of the outstanding military and political figure, rolled out a unique exhibition-project showing the creative side of the famous general. The exhibition features 16 reproductions of Kosciuszko's works made in different periods of his life. Among them is his first paintings - mostly copies of the works by other artists he made while studying at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in France, and replicas of the paintings from a later period. Despite the fact that Tadeusz Kosciuszko connected his life with the military, he continued to paint after the uprising of 1794. In America he gained fame as a portraitist.

When: 4 February – 31 December 
Where: Tadeusz Kosciuszko Memorial Manor Museum
108 Kosciuszko Street, Kossovo, Ivanovo District, Brest Oblast
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Artist and City project in Minsk

The 10th season of the Artist and City project has opened in Minsk, this time in Komsomolskaya Street. Its mission is to introduce Minsk residents and guests of the capital to the best representatives of contemporary Belarusian art. This time the open-air exhibition highlights the art of the famous landscape artist Leonid Shchemelev. The people’s artist passed away in January 2021, but his works will live. Many museums, including the National Art and Regional Local History, have his paintings. Guests of the Minsk open-air gallery will get acquainted with the stories behind the landscapes and paintings dedicated to the author's hometown with the help of an audio guide.
When: from 28 May
Where:

Gustave Dore’s masterpieces in National Center for Contemporary Arts

The French graphic artist of the 19th century Paul Gustave Doré is knowns as a brilliant illustrator of literary works. His legacy encompasses tens of thousands of works, many of which have earned their place in the world’s arts Hall of fame. For the first time, Belarusian connoisseurs of Gustave Dore’s art will be able to see more than 120 illustrations to the most famous works. Among them are The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Rudolf Erich Raspe…

When: 27 August – 24 October
Where: National Center for Contemporary Arts, 47 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
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King Stakh’s Wild Hunt premiere in Bolshoi Theater

The Bolshoi Theater will kick off its 89th season with a premiere of the opera based on the novel by outstanding Belarusian writer Vladimir Korotkevich. The national classic was first staged in 1989, with Vladimir Soltan and music director Yaroslav Voshchak working on the production. In 1990 the creative tandem and the main actors Natalia Kostenko, Viktor Skoobogatov and Vladimir Eknadiosov received the State Award of the BSSR. The new production is directed by Anna Motornaya. Ancient castles, clocks symbolizing flowing time, chess as a keynote of the eternal game, colors and images of the Slutsk belts, decorations referring to the icons of the 15th-16th centuries - all these have became symbols filled with a special meaning important for understanding the message of the production.

When: 2 October
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, 1 Parizhskaya Kommuna Square, Minsk
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“Around the World in 100 Minutes” at Belarusian State Circus

An exciting program “Around the World in 100 Minutes” will kick off the 2021 autumn season at the Belarusian State Circus. Without leaving the city of Minsk, visitors will embark on a journey around the world full of adventures, new impressions, interesting encounters with colorful characters and other events. The show will feature American cowboys, Canadian pumas, camels, lamas and ponies, masterful gymnasts and tumblers.

When: 18 September – 5 December
Where: Belarusian State Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Italian masterpieces on display at National Art Museum

The exhibition "There is a wonderful land …" invites to go on a picturesque voyage around the famous places of Italy. Italy, the cradle of the Renaissance and the main ‘museum’ of the world, was a must-see destination on the grand tour - an educational journey for the sons of European aristocrats and rich bourgeois. Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Zanchi, Molinari… The exhibition showcases the works of Italian masters of the 16th -20th centuries, including the unique ones such as Girolamo Troppa’s "Mythological Plot" and “Madonna and Child” attributed to Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, a representative of the 17th-century Bologna school. On display are also the engravings of the 18th - early 19th centuries and sculptures by  Giovanni Anderlini, Enrico Braga, Ernesto Ermete Gazzeri, the outstanding masters of the 19th century.

When: 22 September – 21 November
Where: National Art Museum, 20 Lenina Street,Minsk

Manhattan Short Film Festival in Minsk

The largest short film forum will bring together thousands of viewers from 400 cities of the world on the five continents,who will have to choose the best film of 2021. Viewers will see the modern world through the eyes of young directors from the United States, Great Britain, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, France, Norway, Italy and Canada. In total, the program includes 10 short film stories. Among them are the American non-fiction "Death by Handshake" about the life in New York in the era of a worldwide epidemic, the touching drama "Rough", "Bad Omen" about the rights of women in Ireland, the French "Archibald’s Syndrome", the Norwegian Oscar 2020 nominee "The Kicksled Choir", the British drama "Ganef" about a family that survived the Holocaust, the film "Closed to the Light" and the eccentric comedy "Monsieur Cashmere".

When: 23 September – 3  October
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk

‘Espana. France. Argentina in duo’ in Grodno

Natalia Shakh and Maria Mashvits invite you to make a virtual journey from the gloomy autumn Minsk to warm Argentina and beyond, thereby celebrating the International Music Day. A delightful combination of accordion and cello will fill the evening with Spanish rhythms, French charm and romance, true Argentine tango vibes. The audience will hear works by Spanish composers (Pascual Marquina Narro, Manuel Penella, Isaac Albeniz), gentle French songs (Vladimir Cosma, Francis Lai, Mireille Mathieu), joyful musette waltzes (Richard Galliano, Bireli Lagrene, Joseph Colombo) and passionate tangos (Astor Piazzolla).

When: 1  October
Where: Grodno State Historical and Archaeological Museum, 20 Zamkovaya Street, Grodno

Anton Chekhov Theater in Minsk

The Moscow-based Anton Chekhov Theater will present Mending Fences, a Leonid Trushkin production based on a scandalous play by Canadian playwright Norm Foster. The production is about stubbornness and a difficulty in relaying true feelings and emotions, finding love and mending relations. One careless word is sometimes enough to ruin one’s life. Once you build a fence out of misunderstanding, irony, sarcasm, and rudeness, it will be incredibly difficult to bring yourself to say ‘forgive’ and ‘love’. The production features actors of the Anton Chekhov Theater: People’s Artist of Russia Fyodor Dobronravov (Harry), Honored Artist of Russia Inga Oboldina (Gin), and Ivan Dobronravov (Drew).

When: 5 October
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, 5  Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk

Aylen Pritchin and Metamorphosis orchestra in Minsk

The Metamorphosis string orchestra under the baton of Pavel Lyubomudrov will open a new season with a concert featuring Russian violinist Aylen Pritchin. A young professor at the conservatories in Brussels and Antwerp, a soloist and chamber musician, he tours extensively across Russia and abroad. The concert in the chamber hall of the National Beauty School will feature pieces from various historical periods, countries and cultures - Serenade for Strings by Antonín Dvořák, Suite For Violin and String Orchestra by Jean Sibelius, Distant Light by Peteris Vasks.

When: 6 October
Where: National Beauty School, 4 Melnikaite Street, Minsk

Mother's Week 2021

One of the most touching holidays - Mother’s Day - has been celebrated in Belarus since 1995. Its main goal is to celebrate a mother who gives birth, brings up, helps and gives her all to children. Moreover, in our country 14 October is symbolically timed to coincide with a big religious holiday - the Intercession of the Theotokos. A series of events will take place across cities and villages during the entire week, some of them under the patronage of the Belarusian Women’s Union. The program includes celebrations, campaigns, round tables and competitions. As always, special attention will be paid to mothers who have brought up talented, active citizens of the country.

When: 7-14 October

Minsk Magic 2021 festival

Minsk Magic 2021 will bring together the best magicians and illusionists from around the world. The competition program will feature several nominations - stage magic, close-up magic, mental magic - and two age groups (under 18 and 18+). By the way, participation in the cardistry nomination is free, but winners will not get the Golden Rabbit Award. In addition to that, experienced illusionists will give lectures, master classes, seminars, present stage props and share best practices.

When: 12-13 October
Where: Happy Day Cafe, 3A Uralskaya Street, Minsk

Triumph of Jazz: Ron Baker in Minsk

American jazz singer and trumpeter Ron Baker is bringing his Triumph of Jazz show to Minsk. Ron Baker is dubbed as a follower of the traditions of Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington and Clifford Brown and is considered one of the world’s  best trumpet players. He became widely known in 1997 after founding the Ronald Baker Quintet. The author of seven solo records, occupying high positions in the music charts, will present to the Belarusian audience his new album Celebrating Nat King Cole, recreating the atmosphere of Harlem jazz of the 1950-60s.

When: 14 October
Where: Evgeny Vladimirov Jazz Club, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk

Vitebsk Leaf Fall guitar poetry festival

The 35th edition of the guitar poetry and visual arts festival will debut this year as a platform for young talents (10 years old and up) presenting their vocal and artistic recitation acts. The festival will also feature a poetry impromptu, inspired by the exhibition of famous Vitebsk artist Valentina Lyakhovich. Each participant of the poetic competition will have a chance to leave feedback in rhyming lines. These comments will become a live accompaniment to the exhibition later. Vitebsk Leaf Fall 2021 will gather representatives of six countries (Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Latvia, New Zealand) and will be held both online and offline. The program starts on 15 October with a poetry tournament, with more than 100 people already submitting their applications.

When: 15-17 October
Where: Vitebsk Concert Hall, 1 Frunze Prospect, Vitebsk
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Poison d’amour: Oksana Volkova presents new album in Bolshoi Theater

Famous opera diva Oksana Volkova will present her album Poison d'amour at the Bolshoi Theater in Belarus. The concert will feature arias for mezzo-soprano from world famous operas: Sapho by Charles Gounod, The Grey Legend by Dmitry Smolsky, Sadko by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Carmen by Georges Bizet, Rural Honor by Pietro Mascagni. The conductor's stand will be occupied by Konstantin Orbelyan, an Honored Artist of Russia, pianist, and four-time Grammy Award nominee. The invited guests will be Vladislav Sulimsky (baritone), a soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, native of Molodechno, and Svetlana Kasyan (soprano), a graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory.

When: 16 October
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, 1 Parizhskaya Kommuna Square, Minsk
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EMIN LIVE 2021: A new tour and a new concert program in Minsk

One of the most romantic Russian pop singers and winner of numerous EMIN awards returns after a spring concert in 2020 with a new music show. Over the last year, which was difficult for many artists, he managed to organize the famous Zhara (Heat) festival in his native city of Baku, release new compositions and duets with other stars, and received the Golden Gramophone award for the song My Girl at the end of 2020. The program of the Minsk show will include the latest hits that the public already loves, songs in English, new songs, and unusual adaptations.

When: 16 October
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk

Premiere in the Puppet Theater: On My Planet performance

A surprising performance for adults and children has been created by artists of the Minsk-based Puppet Theater based on Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s story-tale The Little Prince as well as excerpts from The Planet of People and Letters to Mother. Touching characters, text filled with meanings and talented actors are all part of the formula for the success of the autumn premiere. A team of directors is working on the premiere. The team is led by Yekaterina Lozhkina-Belevich, who produced the play Tutta Karlsson, the First and Only. Honored Artist of the BSSR Vladimir Gramovich, Dmitry Rachkovsky, Timur Muratov, Inna Gonchar, Ilya Sotikov, Lyubov Klok, and Aleksei Senchilo will participate in the new production.

When: 17 and 30 October
Where: The Belarusian State Puppet Theater, 20 Engelsa Street, Minsk

No Coincidence Meeting: Sergei Makovetsky’s revelation performance in Minsk

People's Artist of Russia Sergei Makovetsky invites you to the No Coincidence Meeting with theater, cinema and poetry. His name in the playbill guarantees a full house and interest of the audience, which is not surprising: in 1994 the artist was awarded the honorary title of Europe’s best dramatic actor and in 2002 he received the Idol award. The artist will tell the Minsk public about his work in cinema and theater, meetings with interesting directors, actors and people, who have left a mark on his life and work. Monologues from performances, poetry, favorite fragments from the works of Chekhov, Grossman, Dostoevsky, and Zhvanetsky as well as rare shots from short films with his participation await the fans ...

When: 19 October
Where: The concert hall Minsk, 5 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk

Classic Energy: Masterpieces of world music in Minsk

Belarus’ largest symphony concert by the Classic Energy orchestra will feature works of present-day genius composers such Hans Zimmer and Ludovico Einaudi as well as the world famous hits of the rock bands Queen, Depeche Mode, Linkin Park, Rammstein, Metallica in an acoustic version. According to the organizers' idea, over 130 musicians and performers will perform on the stage of the Sport Palace at the same time! The light and music show will be broadcast on a large LED screen to allow any spectators to see the mastery of each of them...

When: 23 October
Where: Sport Palace, 4 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk

Polina Gagarina in Minsk

Minsk Arena will host Polina Gagarina’s new show Disarmed. The two-hour concert will feature modern digital stage decorations, exquisite choreography, excellent sound, elaborate costumes and new songs. Following the great success of Polina Gagarina at the second edition of the Russian TV show Star Factory, she did her best to finish as the runner-up at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest and make it to the final of the Chinese musical contest Singer 2019. The show in Minsk will feature new songs as well as popular hits such as Dramy Bolshe Net, Obezoruzhena, Net, Kukushka, Spektakl Okonchen, Melankholiya…

When: 23 October
Where: Minsk Arena, 111 Pobediteley Avenue, Minsk

Queen Show and Marc Martel in Minsk

The Queen tribute show which was postponed due to the pandemic will take place in Minsk. The concert will feature 40 world hits from the list of the most popular songs of the legendary band, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Show Must Go On, Radio Ga Ga, Somebody to Love. Singer Marc Martel is called the living impersonation of Freddie Mercury because of the striking resemblance between him and the renowned performer, not only physically but also in the manner of singing, stage presence and voice tone. Marc Martel was blessed to participate in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor. The life of Marc Martel has changed after he performed part of the song Somebody to Love at the Queen Extravaganza contest in 2011 where the singer won the hearts of the audience and the legendary musicians of Queen.

When: 26 October
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk

State Dance Theater Cossacks of Russia in Minsk

Founded in 1990, the State Dance Theater Cossacks of Russia led by Leonid Milovanov has achieved worldwide success and recognition. Artists representing Russia and the inimitable Cossack culture performed in Europe, Asia and America. In 2012, the Cossacks of Russia had an honor to perform at the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II being the 60th anniversary of her accession. The program of the dance company can be described as the encyclopedia of Cossack life manifested in colorful costumes, playful songs and irresistible dancing featuring the traditions and cultural legacy of the Cossack regions of Russia, from the Don River and the Black Sea to Siberia and Far East.

When: 29 October
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, 5 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk