Press releases

27 Jun 2016

Vyshyvanka to be artistic centerpiece of Independence Day celebrations in Belarus

MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – The Belarusian traditional costume vyshyvanka will become the artistic centerpiece of the Independence Day celebrations, the head of the arts department at the Culture Ministry Marianna Nikolyeva told media, BelTA has learned.

“The artistic centerpiece unifying cultural events to be held from 1 to 3 July will be vyshyvanka, the national embroidered dress, which is a kind of calling card of Belarus and is a kind of a symbol-amulet of the nation,” Marianna Nikolayeva said.

The year 2016 will start a new tradition: the youth festival Vyshyvanka Day in the run-up to the Independence Day. The main events of this day will be held near the Palace of sport on 2 July.

The concept of the holiday is dedicated to the Year of culture. The holiday will be built around the thesis “Culture is the foundation for the development of a nation”. The event will open with Belarus’ Treasury Trove exhibition to display arts and crafts of every Belarusian region and themed master-classes. A theatrical show, Belarus is a Sacred Name, will take place afterwards.

One of the main draws of the Independence Day celebrations on 3 July will be a parade of the Minsk Garrison. The format of the event was slightly altered in 2016. The sport and youth procession which usually wraps up the parade will be replaced by a show featuring singers, dancers and other performers.

A gala concert titled Belarus – I Love You will start near Minsk Hero City Stele at 21.00. The concert will feature young singers, winners and finalists of TV shows, international festivals and competitions, and also professional music bands of the country. The concert will culminate with Let’s Sing Belarus’ Anthem Together event at 22.50 and fireworks at 23.00.

The Independence Days festivities will be held in all the Belarusian oblasts. Spectacular fireworks will also light up the skies over Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev and Brest.