Press releases

VITEBSK, 13 July (BelTA) – The star with the name of Tamara Gverdtsiteli was solemnly unveiled in the Square of Stars near the central venue of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk on 13 July, BelTA has learned.

Tamara Gverdtsiteli is a laureate of the Belarus president’s special prize Through Art to Peace and Understanding. Her star was unveiled right after the flag’s festival was hoisted. Tamara Gverdtsiteli has been granted the title of people’s artist in Russia and Georgia. She is a genuine symbol of the friendship between nations in art.

Belarusian Culture Minister Boris Svetlov noted: “Her art has become popular in many countries across the globe, including Belarus. With her talent and creative activities she contributes a lot to stronger friendship and cooperation between the brotherly nations of Belarus and Russia.”

In her speech in the Square of Stars Tamara Gverdtsiteli confessed she was happy to be in Belarus and in Vitebsk in particular. “I’ve been coming to Vitebsk for 25 years. It is a tremendous event in my life. I am grateful to you for love and warmth. I feel I am genuine becoming part of the festival,” said the artist.

Tamara Gverdtsiteli described Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk as a unique festival, whose ambience is unparalleled. “I am happy that every year Belarus welcomes guests, artists, contest participants with such warmth, that new talents are discovered here. It is one of the best festivals in the world,” she said.

The Alley of Stars was opened as part of the Summer Amphitheater terrace in 2009. At the entrance there is a stele crowned by the statue of a girl with a wreath in her hands. It is an enlarged copy of the prize, which has been bestowed upon laureates of the Belarus president’s special prize Through Art to Peace and Understanding since 2005. The square is paved with rectangular polished granite slabs, each bearing the name of a laureate and the year the prize was awarded. In 2016 the alley was converted into the Square of Stars.