Opinions & Interviews

The minister noted that every new edition of the festival is a demonstration of high professionalism. The forum is growing and becoming more interesting and engaging in terms of the programs, the variety of participants and the organization in general. Boris Svetlov also pointed out that Belarus holds several high-level dance festivals which are successfully developing. “It is a pleasure for me to see that all of them have unique features that make them distinctive and special,” the minister added.

“The festival in Vitebsk also has its own signature feature, which is the rotation of the international and national competitions. This feature enables us to test our own strengths, compare them against the world’s best examples, and demonstrate our achievements. The art of choreography in Belarus, on the one hand, is developing and becoming more professional. On the other hand, it is gaining popularity among general people. New schools are set up, including private ones. They teach both modern and classical dance styles. Dance festivals also draw great interest,” Boris Svetlov added.

Vitebsk will be hosting festival events through 27 November. The modern choreography competition will be the draw of the art forum. This year, Vitebsk hosts an international edition of the festival that has brought together 32 dance companies from nine countries, including Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Sweden, Estonia, and China.

The festival was founded by Belarus’ Culture Ministry, the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee and Vitebsk City Hall. Vitebsk Culture Center is the organizer.