Opinions & Interviews

Minister: Slavianski Bazaar celebrates commonality of Slavic cultures

VITEBSK, 14 July (BelTA) – The Slavianski Bazaar festival is a solid foundation of international friendship; it highlights and celebrates the commonality of cultures of Slavic nations, Belarusian Information Minister Vladimir Pertsov told journalists at the opening of the press center of the International Arts Festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk on 14 July, BelTA has learned.

It is important to get united and stand together amidst attempts by foreign countries to cancel the cultural heritage of Slavic countries, in particular, Russian art. One of such cultural bridges untouched by the West’s politics is Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. “The festival is a cultural pillar of our Slavic community. We are not going to change it in order to accommodate new Western trends and give spotlight to some weird personalities to meet someone's aesthetic needs. This is not what we are. We want to show authentic Slavic culture, music, theater, real values. We will not compromise them to embrace pseudo-trends,” the information minister stressed.

According to Vladimir Pertsov, as the pandemic has subsided it is now possible to visit more outdoor venues of the festival. It is a chance for journalists to show how Vitebsk has changed, what the city is living and breathing during Slavianski Bazaar. The minister himself will attend the opening concert and enjoy the International Children’s Song Contest as a spectator. “I enjoy live performances. This is one of few competitions or even the only competition where vocal and performing skills are the main criteria, and this is worth a lot, especially compared to other festivals that turned into freak shows where even a foam goose can win. Here, at Slavianski Bazaar, you get true aesthetic pleasure from performers who appreciate the festival and who really want to win the singing contest,” said Vladimir Pertsov.

He will also visit the artisan fair to buy some souvenirs and gifts for loved ones. “The fair offers unique things that you will not find anywhere else, and I really appreciate it,” the minister noted.

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