Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 14 July (BelTA) – Thanks to Slavonic Bazaar, the world got to know about Belarus, our national culture and hospitable people, President Alexander Lukashenko said as he attended the opening of the 25th international festival of arts Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk on 14 July, BelTA has learned.

“The main thing is that every year, the festival becomes a real, candid and heartwarming celebration for millions of people, a celebration of friendship, joy, amusement, and creativity that leaves long-lasting traces in our hearts. The festival is a blend of classic and contemporary, respect for traditions and freedom of creativity,” the head of state said.

Speaking about what the festival has given to Vitebsk, Belarus and the whole world over the quarter of a century, Alexander Lukashenko mentioned the construction of a unique amphitheater that enables event organizers to use cutting-edge innovations of stage design and setup. The festival has also uncovered hundreds of talents, young singers and turned the city of Vitebsk into a modern Belarusian capital of culture and the world’s capital of festivals hosting the headquarters of World Association of Festivals. Slavonic Bazaar draws thousands of tourists to Belarus, promotes the country’s positive image and contributes to economic recovery.

The Belarusian leader pointed out that the number of participants is growing year by year. This year’s edition of the festival has brought together talented people from 45 countries.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that it is not by chance that Vitebsk became the home venue for Slavonic Bazaar. “The Vitebsk region is a unique spiritual center of Slavic people that maintains the continuous tradition of cultural creativity. The tradition takes root in the times of Euphrosyne of Polotsk and Francysk Skaryna and continues into the present day. This region is the birthplace of new creative movements and famous art schools. Many renowned people of art were born here,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Among such people, the Belarusian head of state mentioned composer Anatoly Bogatyrev, writers Mikhas Lynkov, Vladimir Korotkevich, Vasil Bykov, and Petrus Brovka, playwright Alexei Dudarev, artists and sculptors Yehuda Pen, Marc Chagall, Mikhail Savitsky, Andrei Bembel, and Zair Azgur. “These are the pioneers of our art that we are proud of,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.

In conclusion of his speech, the President wished the festival long years of creative prosperity and declared the 35th international festival of arts open.