Opinions & Interviews
Call to rejuvenate Kupala Night Festival, keeping its national element
An archive photo
ALEXANDRIA, 2 June (BelTA) – We should rejuvenate the Kupala Night Festival in Alexandria while preserving its national element, Belarus' Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko said as he took part in a meeting of the organizing committee of the Kupala Night Festival (Alexandria Gathers Friends), BelTA has learned.
“The festival in Alexandria has become one of Belarus’ signature events. It is important to keep the festival fresh and vibrant, but without losing its national component,” Igor Petrishenko stressed. “The festival is drawing closer, in a little over a month left. It is important to think everything through. The organizers should focus on enforcing COVID-19 safety measures. The local authorities and the Mogilev Oblast Executive Committee should be ready to make prompt decisions regarding the organization of this large-scale fest,” he added.
This year’s edition of the festival will be held on 10 July and will be running for one day. As always, it will take place on the bank of the Dnieper River in the agro-town of Alexandria in Shklov District. The agro-town is already gearing up for the festival. The Belarusian president announced the start of the preparations during the national cleanup day.
Igor Petrishenko
“This year, we have prepared a lot of surprises. Apart from traditional events, such as the Book Fest, fairs, and the final of the nationwide agricultural family contest Lord of the Village, the program of the festival will include a karaoke concert celebrating the Year of Native Land. The concert will feature famous songs by Belarusians soloists and groups as well as popular Soviet songs,” Mogilev Oblast Vice Governor Valery Malashko pointed out.
According to Igor Petrishenko, it is also important to rejuvenate the traditional fashion show of linen collections by Belarusian manufacturers. “Perhaps, we should consider showcasing not only linen clothes. Enterprises of the Belarusian light industry could demonstrate apparel for teenagers and latest trends. We have a lot to show,” he noted.
The entertainment program in Alexandria will kick off at 11:00, the official opening ceremony is scheduled for 17:00, and the gala concert will start at 21:00.
Visitors and participants of the festival will be invited to the concert “I Love Belarus”. It will feature groups and soloists representing national public associations, holder of the Medal of Francysk Skaryna Olga Gornichar, Honored Artist of Belarus Viktoria Aleshko, and the Galasy ZMesta band.
The program also includes an exhibition “Made in Belarus” by Minsk Tractor Works one of the country’s flagship companies, the Book Fest. Almost 60 artisans from Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to take part in the exhibition-fair "The Towel of Peoples’ Unity." The festival will also feature trade stalls 300m long, 30 tents with 700 seats. There will be seven recreation zones with grills, qazans.
"Kupala Theater will debut at the festival in Alexandria this year. This will be a unique opportunity for residents of the agro-town and guests of the festival to watch the performance of one of the country’s best theater companies," Igor Petrishenko said.
The Trade Community fair will feature each region of Belarus and the city of Minsk. Each will be assigned 900 square meters of shopping space. Each region will mount commercial facilities for meat and dairy producers, confectionery, light industry and other enterprises
"We have held three meetings of the organizing committee. Today we have convened on the site. All involved have reported on the progress. Now we will be putting the finishing touches. All have been given additional assignments, which will be implemented on a high professional level. So that the audience and the participants of the festival give the organizers a thumbs up afterwards," Igor Petrishenko stressed.
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