Press releases

Belarus Events Calendar: SEPTEMBER 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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Stop COVID-19 online race

The Brest Half Marathon that was due on 5 July was postponed to autumn because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the organizers urged everyone not to give up on sports and to take part in the online race Stop COVID-19. To join the initiative, one needs to register at брестполумарафон.бел. It is possible to run any distance from 1km to 21km. Then it is necessary to send a screenshot or a photo of the tracked route.

When: 9 May – 1 September

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

Triennale of Contemporary Art in Minsk

The best works of contemporary Belarusian artists will be on display during the Triennale of Contemporary Art. The exhibition has been organized as part of the contest “National Awards in Fine Arts” in 2019-2020. The exhibition features 92 works picked up by the selection committee from among 358 applications in 10 nominations. During the exhibition, a professional jury will determine the winners of the contest. Meanwhile, visitors will have a chance to enjoy art!

When: From 22  July
Where: Palace of Art, 3 Kozlova Street, Minsk

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
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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 – 4 October
Where: National Center for Contemporary Arts of Belarus, 37 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk

Samoizolyatsia OFF art festival in Minsk

The project #samoizolyatsia OFF has brought together creative people who have depicted in their art the historical phenomenon of pandemic and self-isolation amid COVID-19. The festival is amazing in scale: 75 participants, 184 art objects, more than 30 creative workshops, more than 10 shows, theatrical and choreographic performances, lectures and workshops, film screenings and exclusive projects... The creative project will culminate in an exhibition of contemporary Belarusian art. Guests of the event will be able to purchase the works of established and young domestic and foreign artists.

When: 4-26 September
Where: MAF art space, 22 Kuibysheva Street, Minsk

Belarusian Written Language Day in Belynichi

This is the first time Belynichi will host the famous national culture festival – the Belarusian Written Language Day. The concept of the celebrations, which will be held for the 27th time, is based on the inseparable unity of literature with the history of the Belarusian people. A sculptural composition was installed in Belynichi in anticipation of the festivities. Its author Aleksandr Minkov depicted a granite angel holding a bronze icon – a symbol of one of the most revered, but, unfortunately, lost relics of Belarus. The 2020 Belarusian Written Language Day will be built around the history and rich heritage of the region and the 90th anniversary of outstanding writer Vladimir Korotkevich. The main events will take place in the square in front of the Byalynitsky-Birulya local art museum which will unveil the priceless artifacts this year – the surviving frescoes of the destroyed Belynichi monastery of the Carmelites. The events of the festival will also unfold in Sovietskaya Street and the old city park Linden Grove.

When: 6 September
Where: Belynichi, Mogilev Oblast

Sozhski Karagod international choreography festival

The 10th edition of the international choreography festival will bring together dance teams performing in various styles, including folk dance, pop music dance, contemporary dance, ballroom dance, as well as fire and light performers. In addition to the competitive part, the festival will offer spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, a theatrical parade of dancers, performances on various city venues, and an international ballroom dance competition Golden Lynx Gomel Cup, shows of ballet theaters, solo shows and fire and light shows.

When: 11-13 September
Where: Gomel

Peer Gynt, Le Villi.Fatum premieres at Bolshoi Theater

The 88th season of the Bolshoi Theater, the country’s main academic stage, will kick off on 8 September with the premiere of Peer Gynt ballet based on the eponymous drama by Henrik Ibsen and choreographed by Sergey Mikel. On 11 September the opera lovers will be able to see the premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s Le Villi.Fatum directed by the famous opera singer Oksana Volkova. This will be her debut as a director. These productions were supposed to premiere in spring, however due to the coronavirus pandemic and the early closing of the theater season, they were postponed till autumn. However, the audience could not wait to see the premieres on stage. During the doors open day that was held online this year, people from all over the world could watch the rehearsals and costume fittings. Speaking about her debut as a director and the choice of production Oksana Volkova said: “For me this composer is the most romantic, the most melodious. It strikes a chord in my soul and I start to shiver when I hear this music.” Three opera singers are involved in the performance. The choreographic part will be performed by People’s Artist of Belarus, prima of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus Olga Gaiko.

When:
Peer Gynt – 8-9 September
Le Villi.Fatum – 11-15 September
Where: Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoi Kommuny Street, Minsk

Tank Crew Day

Due to the epidemiological situation, this year’s Tank Crew Day celebration had to change its format. Wargaming will hold the event online for the first time. It will kick off with the online tournament Steel Hunter 2020 blogging tournament. Twenty finalists will compete for prize money on a special server. The event will continue with a battle of the Clan Super Cup between the strongest representatives of the RU- and EU-region: the clans [MERCY] No Mercy and [FAME] Deal with it. Participants will also be invited to take part in one-on-one fights and try to rank first in the individual competition timed to Tank Crew Day on the website of the company.

When: 13 September
Where: online

WE15 oriental youth culture festival

This year, the festival of modern oriental culture that traditionally makes part of the Japanese Autumn in Belarus festival will mark its anniversary. For 15 years, it has brought together Belarusian fans of comic books, video games, street fashion, music, and other contemporary trends that are popular in Japan, South Korea, and China. The youth festival centers around cosplay. The program of the event also includes a runway walk, song covers, dance covers, stage plays, exhibitions of art, photos, and installations with ball-joined dolls.

When: 11:00, 19 September
Where: Palace of Culture, 129 Mayakovskogo Street, Minsk

Cranes and Cranberries of Miory District

The Cranes and Cranberries of Miory District eco-festival, which has been held since 2012, is one of the brands of Miory District and the whole Vitebsk Oblast. Here you can taste delicious autumn berries – cranberries and watch migratory birds. Every year more than 4,000 gray cranes and tens of thousands of geese stop at one of the largest bogs in Belarus and Europe in the Yelnya landscape reserve during seasonal migration. The program invites visitors to walk along the eco-trail, see flocks of graceful birds and take amazing photos, take part in ecological games, choose the Miory Cranberry and the best farmstead in Miory District, buy souvenirs from local craftsmen and enjoy cranberry drinks and sweets.

When: 19 September
Where: Yelnya landscape reserve, Miory, Vitebsk Oblast

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

OLYMPIA CLASSIC: Legendary hits from 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s

The legendary hits of the three decades will be played by Mikhail Snitko’s chamber orchestra Olympia Classic. The new program includes well-known compositions, which were hits at their time and are considered classics today. The instrumental performance will include compositions of Europe, Haddaway, Joan Osborne, Sting, Queen, Phil Collins, The Hooters, Status Quo, Evanescence, Chris De Burgh, R.E.M., Eagles, Snap, Roxette and many others. The concert will feature a chorus and saxophonist Darya Bobko, the winner of international competitions, a holder of the scholarship of the President’s fund, the winner of the international Eurasian prize BELBRAND AWARD.

When: 20 September
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, 5 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk

Yazyl Ten national running festival

The 33rd edition of the running festival Yazyl Ten is marked on the international calendar of tournaments and competitions. Every year the festival gathers professional athletes and amateurs of different ages from Belarus and the CIS states. In 2019 over 2,500 people participated in the festival. This year’s edition will feature races for 500 meters, 2,500 meters, 10km (Yazyl Ten), and 60 meters for the youngest runners.

When: 26 September
Where: Staryye Dorogi, Minsk Oblast

CHRIS NORMAN in Minsk

The legendary soloist Chris Norman from the Smokie band, which was popular in the 1970s, will perform in Minsk at an anniversary concert. The band from Bradford, UK was phenomenally popular in Europe and the USA. However, after the band broke apart, Chris Norman went solo. The first song Midnight Lady became a hit and broke all the previous records. The last album Don’t Knock The Rock was released in September 2017. The rock musician has released over 20 solo disks.

When: 30 September
Where: The Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, 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