Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 November (BelTA) – The National Architecture Festival helps discover new talents, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Zharko noted at the festival’s opening ceremony on 9 November, BelTA has learned.

According to the minister, the forum brings progressive ideas, solutions, and new names into the spotlight. This is an event for gifted vibrant people who are able to think outside the box. The festival has become a remarkable event in Belarus’ artistic and cultural life. It also helps form the image of Minsk. This year, the festival is timed to the 950th anniversary of the Belarusian capital.

“I hope that this forum will drum up the interest of Minsk residents and guests in architecture and urban planning, and also in new talents, including young architects. Our foreign guests will have an opportunity to share the latest trends in architecture and appreciate Minsk’s beauty and hospitality,” Vasily Zharko remarked.

In his words, in recent years architects have been showing innovative approaches to Minsk's policy in architecture and urban planning, which has formed the new image of Minsk as a modern metropolis. The architectural symbols of Minsk are the Palace of the Republic, the Palace of Independence, the National Library, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the Railway Station, the Renaissance hotel, and other landmarks.

The festival’s program comprises the 18th national contest for the best architectural project. Another highlight will be the 7th Minsk international biennale of young architects Leonardo 2017 to be held under the aegis of the International Union of Architects and the International Association of Unions of Architects. Aspiring architects are invited to participate in the 11th national contest for graduation projects of Belarusian architecture students. The lineup of events also includes the fourth national drawing contest for children. The National Architecture Festival will see exhibitions of designers, sculptors, national unions of architects of the CIS and non-CIS countries, and also master classes, presentations of firms and design companies, seminars, special conferences and forums to discuss the recent achievements and problems of architecture and urban planning.

Established in 1999, the National Architecture Festival is organized by the Belarusian Union of Architects in cooperation with the Architecture and Construction Ministry with support of the Culture Ministry, the Minsk City Hall, the International Union of Architects, the International Association of Unions of Architects, the Belarusian Union of Artists, and the Belarusian Union of Designers.