Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko to Alexandria audience in 2010: ‘Let's gather here on Kupala Night’

MINSK, 6 July (BelTA) - We will do everything to turn the festival into a traditional event, Aleksandr Lukashenko assured the guests of the summer festival Alexandria Gathers Friends in June 2010. In the latest episode of BelTA’s YouTube project "How It Was: DOC" we will show you the footage of the 2010 festival after which Alexandria Gathers Friends became one of the social landmark events of the country.

15 years ago the head of state admitted that he did not expect the event to turn into such a big holiday and celebration. In 2010, people came to Alexandria not only from the surrounding villages but also from Orsha, Shklov, Mogilev and even the capital of our country.

Years after, the holiday in the president’s hometown gathers not only Belarusians. The festival welcomed friends from Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland for its tenth edition. Alexandria Gathers Friends along with Slavianski Bazaar and Evenings in Mir Castle have become a kind of cultural brands of Belarus.

Rainy, albeit warm weather during the first in 2010 did not prevent the guests from having a great time on the banks of the Dnieper. A diverse cultural program was prepared for the participants and guests of the festival, ranging from “The Town of Masters" and the opportunity to taste traditional Belarusian dishes and drinks and ending with performances by folk groups and a concert featuring famous Belarusian pop artists. The fest wrapped up with a fireworks display and a laser show.

In 2010 the festival drew 3,000 visitors and two years later it was attended by about 50,000. In 2024, Alexandria continues to gather friends, and, as time has shown, they are getting more and more.

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