Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: September 2019

International Sand Sculpture Festival in Minsk

Ten famous aritsts from Belarus and Russia reflect on the mysteries of the world of gods, spirits and fantastic characters as they display their works during the 4th sand sculpture festival. The open-air exhibition features many unusual characters. Among them, for example, is the legendary dragon Tsmok and thundering God Pyarun, Wolverine and Iron Man. In the Belarusian mythology they were known long before the popular blockbusters and comics…

When: 1 May - 15 September
Where: Dreamland amusement park, 80 Orlovskaya Street, Minsk

Music and Tourism Season in the Upper Town

The new season kicked off in Minsk’s Upper Town in early May and will be packed with cool events every Saturday until October. The program 2019 includes theatrical performances, themed events, dance performances, workshops, film screenings, orchestral siestas and classical and jazz music concerts…

When: from May 4
Where: Svobody Square, Upper town, Minsk

National culture festivals in Minsk Upper Town

During the summer season, the Upper Town in Minsk will turn into the most ethnically diverse area of the capital city. Belarusians were the first to showcase their culture and traditions during the Spring Bouquet event on 25 May. The festivals of national diasporas will kick off in Minsk downtown on 1 June. On this day Swedes will arrange a big festival near the City Hall. The headliners of the event will be Eurovision 2012 winner Loreen and Swedish Indie icon Jens Lekman.

1 June, 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00 – Day of Swedish Culture
8 June, 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00 – Day of Russian Culture
15 June, 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00 – Day of Polish Culture
23 June (Sun), 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00  – Day of British Culture
13 July, 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00 – Day of Italian Culture
3 August, 13:00-17:00 – Day of Korean Culture
10 August, 13:00-17:00 – Day of Estonian Culture
17 August, 13:00-17:00 – Day of Ukrainian Culture
24 August, 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00 – Day of Georgian Culture (Tbilisoba)
31 August, 13:00-17:00 – Day of Armenian Culture
7 September, 13:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00 – Day of Azerbaijani Culture
8 September (Sun), 12:00-17:00 – Day of Moldovan Culture
21 September, 13:00-17:00 – Day of Greek Culture
22 September (Sun), 12:00-17:00 – Day of Israeli Culture
28 September, 13:00-17:00 – Day of Chinese Culture

Where: Minsk Upper Town

СINEMASCOPE #SHHH

This summer Сinemascope #Shhh invites everyone to enjoy evening outdoor film screenings in the courtyard of the Zair Azgur Memorial Studio Museum, with sound beamed to wireless headphones so as not to disturb the neighbors. The playbill for August includes world blockbusters such as Beyond the Law, Bonnie and Clyde, The City of Lost Children, Blow-Up, Back to the Future, Some Like It Hot, Blue Velvet, Vertigo, and The Shining. All films are screened in the original language with Russian subtitles.

When: 24 July – 6 September, every Tuesday and Friday
Where: courtyard of the Zair Azgur Memorial Studio Museum, Minsk

Street food festival Vulitsa Ezha

A picnic in the Botanical Garden is an excellent way to spend the last day of summer. The second Vulitsa Ezha in the 2019 season guarantees strong emotions, great atmosphere (the organizers promise a festival inside a festival), new gastronomic experience, and wonderful music. The festival invites to a skatepark, dance battles, real-time street-art, and a concert featuring Nizkiz, VAL, Cream Soda, Stereobeaver, KorneJ, Deech, and others. Food, of course, will be the centerpiece of the festival – a food court with cocktail and beer bars will offer more than 150 various dishes.

When: 30 August – 1 September
Where: Central Botanical Garden, Minsk

2019 Belarusian Written Language Day in Slonim

Slonim, one of the oldest cultures centers of Belarus, will host Belarusian Written Language Day for the first time. Ahead of the celebrations the city spruced up the embankment of its famous Oginski Canal and erected a monument to the headman of the ancient city and chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lew Sapieha on its central square. This is the venue when the Belarusian Written Language Day celebrations will be kicked off.

The Belarusian Written Language Day events will span more than ten venues in the city and will start on 31 August with an international panel discussion that will gather in Slonim writers from the regions and abroad. The program of the celebrations will feature the photo exhibition I See Belarus Like This and the Writer’s Words event that will comprise presentations, autograph session and meetings with writers. The celebrations on 1 September will feature a parade, an awards ceremony for the winners of the National Literature Award, a concert of the Belarusian Union of Writers and the presentation of the book My Homeland.  Visitors will be invited to  get familiar with book novelties, attend presentations of local writers and poets, buy a set of post-cards featuring the city’s landmarks in a retro style, and take a look at photo albums about the nature and history of Grodno Oblast.

When: 1 September
Where: Slonim, Grodno Oblast
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UniCon&Game Expo Minsk 2019

Fans of cosplay may rejoice because the exhibition and festival UniCon&Game Expo is coming to Minsk. The festival will bring together fans of fantasy worlds, e-sports, comic books, tabletop and computer games. The program includes an exhibition of new products from the game industry and computer brands, a conference zone for workshops and master classes in game development, animation, 3D and 2D graphics. Everyone willing to try their hand in e-sports will be welcome to enter tournaments in Dota 2 and other games.

When: 6-8 September
Where: Globus Park trade and logistics center, village of Shchomyslitsa, Minsk District

Performensk festival

The festival Performensk aims to demonstrate “live” art which is created in real time right in front of spectators. The event will focus on genres of experimental theater, performance art, and sound art. Performensk is organized by a team of artists from Belarus, Russia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

When: 6-8 September
Where: cultural hub OK16, 16 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk

Brest Millennium Anniversary

The Belarusian city of Brest celebrates its millennium anniversary in 2019. It is the sixth Belarusian city to pass this significant milestone. Since the beginning of 2019, Brest citizens have lived in the rhythm of the millennium celebrations. The city has already hosted hundreds of events dedicated to the anniversary, but the main celebrations will take place in September. The city on the Bug River invites guests from Belarus and other countries, reminding of the Belarusian visa-free travel program. The first event to mark the millennium will be the international children’s theater and book festival Bookcase. The celebrations will continue with the music project City of Light, the international parade of orchestras from the CIS countries Millennium March, a gala concert of artists from Brest and other places, the exhibition of Belarusian artists ART-Brest-1000, festivals of street theaters and kites, the family event #LoveExists, sports competitions, events for children, theater performances, historical reenactments, and many more. The celebrations will culminate in a carnival involving participants from various countries and the music and history show Millennium.

When: 6-8 September
Where: Brest

Brest gearing up to mark its 1,000th birthday

Science Festival in Minsk

This will be another urban picnic with a scientific touch. The festival will be held under the aegis of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The program of the 2nd edition of the festival features lectures, Robots and Technology venue, an entertainment venue, a playground for children and a street food area from Gastrofest. The forum on promoting green tourism in Belarus will also be held within the framework of the festival.

When: 7 September
Where: Central Botanical Garden, Minsk

Belaya Vezha International Theater Festival in Brest

For almost 25 years already the international festival Belaya Vezha (White Tower) has been gathering the world’s best theater plays in Brest and surprising its fans with experimental events. This year’s edition of the forum will not be an exception. Brest will welcome 28 theater companies from 13 countries. During the celebrations of Brest’s 1000th anniversary the focus will be on theater companies from twin towns. The newest plays will be brought by the Ivan Radoev Drama and Puppet Theater from Bulgaria’s Pleven, the Tyumen Drama Theater, and the Odessa Academic Russian Drama Theater. The festival playbill will also feature productions from theaters of Lutsk, Lublin and Batumi. The Belaya Vezha’s guest will be People’s Artist of Russia, head of the Moscow Theater Satyricon Konstantin Raikin. On the final day of the festival, 15 September, he will present his poetic one-man show Obychnye Slova (Usual Words) on the poems of David Samoylov, Osip Mandelstam and other well-known poets.

When: 8–15 September
Where: Brest Academic Drama Theater, Brest Oblast Public and Cultural Center, Brest

The Match Europe v USA in Minsk

Named by President of the European Athletics Svein Arne Hansen as one of Europe’s best athletics stadiums, Minsk Dinamo Stadium will be hosting another large-scale tournament following the June’s 2nd European Games. Competing in the match between the teams of the United States and Europe will be about 350 athletes, including 10 Belarusians. Participation in the tournament has already been confirmed by world champion in 200m Ramil Guliyev, two-time world champion in high jump Mariya Lasitskene and Rio 2016 Olympic champion in pole vault Katerina Stefanidi. Fans are expected to enjoy athletics in its full, in contrast to the European Games program which featured only nine out of 47 possible events.

When: 9-10 September
Where: Dinamo Stadium, Minsk
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Jazz vocalist Deborah J. Carter (USA) & Jazz Quartet (Russia)

A dazzling American jazz vocalist, a soloist of the legendary Metropole Orchestra Deborah J. Carter will perform in Minsk accompanied by St. Petersburg Jazz Quartet. Her smooth, well-trained voice with lots of sliding notes and “chops” is ready to handle everything. The singer has toured over 200 countries sharing the limelight with famous musicians and giving solo concerts. She has taken to the stage of numerous festivals and jazz clubs. Now as Minsk is preparing to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Duke Ellington, the local audience will have an opportunity to see Deborah J. Carter on stage and experience the legacy of the famous “Duke of Jazz”.

Where, when:

11 September – Trade Unions Community Center, Minsk
12 September – Evgeny Vladimirov Jazz Club 

Grodno Day  

The 891st anniversary celebrations of the ‘city of kings’ promise a lot of entertainment, excitement and fun. The program features numerous interactive venues, a fair of arts and crafts, performances by street musicians and a concert by Belarusian and Russian stars. The highlight of the festivities will be a show by singer Max Barskikh who will perform his award-winning tracks, including Nezemnaya, Berega, and Tumany. The artist will take to the stage of the Neman Stadium.

When: 14 September
Where: Grodno

Minsk City Day

September is undoubtedly one of the busiest months in Minsk’s calendar. Although the holiday season is over and the academic year has already begun, Minsk plunges into a whirlwind of events in the first weeks of autumn. One of these busy weekends will celebrate the 952nd birthday of Minsk. The main city holiday will traditionally comprise dozens of events, including international ones. On Saturday, 14 September, Minsk invites its citizens and guests to visit:

• the international project Minsk International in the Upper Town;
• the international reenactment festival Minsk Starazhytny 2019 (Minsk Ancient) (two days);
• the grand close of the season H.O.G Rally Minsk 2019 near the Palace of Sports;
• the international competitions The Strongest Firefighter and Rescuer;
• the Youth festival in the Students’ Village.

The main city museums will also put on unusual entertainment for visitors. For example, the inner court of the National Historical Museum will host the festival of traditional Belarusian music Rajok featuring the best ethno bands, a unique concert of Belarusian lyrists, and the concert of Jewish songs and dances Zingeray. The Yanka Kupala State Literary Museum will invite visitors to set off on the quest The Kupala Code dedicated to the history of Minsk.

Moreover, every district of Minsk will organize a lot of other events in various places of the city.

On 15 September, the celebrations will continue with the traditional Minsk Half Marathon and the large-scale Wargaming Fest: Tanker Day in Pobedy Park.

By the way, this year’s holiday will be held under the slogan Minsk – a City for All, a City for Everyone. Want to check? Then come celebrate with us!

When: 14-15 September
Where: squares and streets in the center of Minsk, the green area at the crossing of Pobeditelei Avenue and Masherova Avenue

Click here to check out the detailed program of Minsk City Day.

HOG Rally Minsk 2019: Harley-Davidson Season Closing

HOG Rally Minsk is the CIS biggest event of this kind. Every year it draws thousands of motorcycle lovers from all over the world. This year HOG Rally Minsk will grow in scale. The highlight of the two-day program will be a stunt riding competition. The winner will get a chance to compete in the stunt riding finals in the UAE. Bikers will ride in a parade from the Glory Mound to the Sports Palace passing by all the key venues of Minsk. The parade will be broadcast live on the Minsk’s biggest digital screen at the Galleria Minsk mall.

When: 13-14 September
Where: Venue at the Sports Palace, Minsk

Minsk Half Marathon 2019

About 40,000 people are expected to flock to Minsk for one of the most popular sporting events of Belarus’ capital. Last year over 35,000 runners from 53 countries rose to the challenge and toed the starting line in Minsk. By the way, Minsk Half Marathon is not only a race, but also a chance to see the city from a different perspective. This will be a unique opportunity to do the warm-up in the city’s main thoroughfare – Independence Avenue. The program of the run remains the same with distances of 5.5km, 10.55km and 21km. At the same time, the prize money rose by $10,000 up to $60,000.

When: 15 September
Where: Minsk

Prince Igor Premiere in Bolshoi

The Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus will open its 87th season with the premiere of the Prince Igor opera by Alexander Borodin. This production will be staged at the theater for the sixth time. The production team includes People’s Artist of Belarus Aleksandr Anissimov (musical director), Galina Galkovskaya (director), People's Artist of Russia Vyacheslav Okunev (sets and costumes), People's Artist of Belarus Nina Lomanovich (chorus master), People's Artist of Belarus Yuri Trayan (choreography). The team promises to stun the audience with a totally different interpretation of the main character. The spectators will see a dynamic, flamboyant and breathtaking act on stage.

When: 15-16 September
Where: Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, Minsk

Wargaming Fest 2019

Every year the festival dedicated to the famous game World of Tanks grows in size, with an increasing number of locations, food court vendors, A-list musicians and a growing attendance. This year is no exception. In 2019 Wargaming set its sights on The Offspring. The famous group will be supported by Zveri, Vopli Vidopliasova and Krambambulya. This year the event will be collocated with WG Fest that used to be held by Wargaming in Moscow.

When: 15 September
Where: Victory Park, Minsk
Details

Cranes and Cranberries of Miory District

This eco-festival in Miory District, Vitebsk Oblast, is dedicated to watching cranes as they fly over local cranberry bogs on their way to the south. Cranberry is what Miory District is famous for. Participants of the festival will also play the What?Where?When? intellectual game and go on an excursion of the Yelna Landscape Reserve.

When: 15 September
Where: Yelna Landscape Reserve, Miory District, Vitebsk Oblast

Evanescence in Minsk

The American rock band Evanescence will give its first concert in Belarus. Amy Lee and her band will perform at the Palace of Sports. The holders of two Grammys are bringing to the Belarusian capital Evanescence’s best hits and also songs from their latest album Synthesis, released in 2017.

When: 18 September
Where: Palace of Sports, Minsk

The 2nd Minsk Festival of Circus Arts

The Minsk Festival of Circus Arts will be held for the second time and promises to become a fine tradition. This year, the festival will draw over 100 circus performers from various countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Turkmenistan, Germany, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Brazil, Chile, China, Australia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Israel, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and others. The participants of the circus festival will compete not only for Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze, but also for such prestigious awards as People’s Choice Award, Children’s Jury Award and a number of special awards from the jury.

When: 19-22 September
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

The 9th international forum of theater art TEART

The 9th international forum of theater art TEART will be held under the motto “Concentrate” and will comprise bold directing decisions, provocative ideas, burning issues, vivid performances, and new emotions. The biggest theater forum of Belarus will consist of an international program, a showcase Belarus Open, and an educational program School of TEART. The festival will feature the eight best Belarusian plays of the recent years, including Song of Songs from Yuri Divakov, Hunting for Yourself by the National Theater of Belarusian Drama, and an interpretation of Voltaire’s Candide, or the Optimism from Igor Kazakov. The program will also present projects of the Theater of Social Research which views the theater as a social statement and a mechanism of social change.

When: 20 September – 8 October
Where: Minsk theaters

Okean Elzy in Minsk

The show from the Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy in Minsk Arena will be a mixture of music, original stage design and video installations. In 2017 the band and its longstanding frontman Svyatoslav Vakarchuk announced a break from music scene. The upcoming concert in Belarus will mark Okean Elzy’s 25th anniversary which the band is celebrating in October 2019.

When: at 20.00, 20 September
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk

Yuri Bashmet International Music Festival in Minsk

The Yuri Bashmet International Music Festival is always full of surprises. Last year Rostislav Krimer, the art director of the festival, staged a concert in the metro at night. This time, the festival promises an impressive range of outstanding artists. The overture of the 14th edition of the Yuri Bashmet International Music Festival in Minsk will be the performance of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London. On 27 September the world’s best musicians will perform the masterpieces of Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, and Johannes Brahms at the stage of the Palace of the Republic. On 2 October, the Big Hall of the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society will host the East-West Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Rostislav Krimer.  The orchestra comprises prize holders of the most prestigious world competitions and concertmasters of the world’s best orchestras. Turkey’s prominent pianist and composer Fazil Say will be an invited guest. Apart from renowned classical music performers and Grammy Award holders, the festival will feature interesting premieres and crossover projects.

When: 27 September – 12 October
Where: Palace of the Republic, Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, Minsk
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The 32nd national jogging festival Yazyl Ten

The national jogging festival Yazyl Ten which is included in the international calendar of tournaments and competitions has been a popular event for over three decades. The first festival which was held in 1988 brought together only 87 participants, while in recent years over 2,000 people of various ages took part in the event annually. The 2019  program includes the Corporate Race (2500m), the School Team Race (2500m), the Five-Hundred-Meter Race, the Family Relay (3x500m), the Yazyl Ten (10km), and the Staryye Dorogi Races (60m) for the youngest participants. Guests of the festival are also invited to take part in contests, lotteries, quizzes, and homemade food tastings.

When: 28-29 September
Where: Staryye Dorogi, Minsk Oblast