With a 18 years’ history to tell, the International Festival of Arts Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk turned out to be a true visiting card of Belarus. And its motto “Through art to peace and mutual understanding” is as imperative as ever.

History
The Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk dates back to 1992 when the festival of arts was ushered into the country’s cultural life for the first time ever. The attendance was over 1,000 performers and guests coming from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Canada, US, Australia, Poland, and Georgia. During 17 years of history, the geography of its acts encompassed 65 countries from different parts of the world.

In 1993, the Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk became a member of the International Federation of Festival Organizations (FIDOF). In 1999, the number of festival events turned 125. And in 2000 the Slavonic Bazaar hit a towering record by joining together on stage representatives of each and every Slavonic nation.

Celebrities
At different points in time, the world-famous stars made an appearance on the Slavonic Bazaar stage. The likes of Patricia Kaas, Robertino Loretti, CC Catch, Russian, Central and Eastern European celebrities joined Belarusians in celebrating the art of music.

Today
Apart from a traditional series of acts, in 2009 the itinerary of the festival  included two tremendous events: the International Pop Song Performers Contest “Vitebsk-2009” and the International Children Music Contest “Vitebsk-2009”.

The Festival inaugurated with a colourful opening ceremony. Amid the performances staged by Belarusian and foreign pop singers, the Slavonic Bazaar gladly showcased, for demanding audiences, programmes of classical music, theatricals, cinema premières and arts exhibitions.

Traditionally, Vitebsk’s Summer Amphitheatre became a vibrant home for major events of the festival.

Vitebsk – a blend of the past and now
Vitebsk, one of the largest cities in Belarus (north-east of the country), prides itself on a not so much official title Town of Painters.

Vitebsk gave birth to an outstanding avant-garde artist of the 20^th century Marc Chagall whose masterpieces Triumph of Music and Sources of Music are an indispensable and priceless asset to Metropolitan Opera in New York. Vitebsk is also a home town for Marc Chagall’s Museum and Centre of Arts, with a string of scheduled exhibitions showcasing artist’s graphics.

The Vitebsk school of art is proud to include another internationally renowned avant-garde artist Kazimir Malevich who won worldly acclaim for his Black Square.

Vitebsk is known for being one of the first cities in the Russian Empire to introduce an electrically-driven tram, the construction of which was started in 1898.

The city is an industrial centre with active involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises and well-developed trade and educational infrastructure.

Unique nature
The Slavonic Bazaar is staged amid the unique natural surroundings, boasting a number of national parks, reserves and natural memorials. Many of them are put on the UNESCO list.

Vitebsk region, a host of the Slavonic Bazaar, is known for its centuries-old needle-leaved forests and diverse wildlife. Very special to Vitebsk region are Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve and Braslav Lakes National Park, with a dazzling mix of colours and peculiar natural features that will keep the guests astonished.

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Fore more details about the Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk please visit the festival’s website at www.festival.website.by

For details about accommodation in Vitebsk please visit the city’s official website at www.gorod.vitebsk.by/turism-hotels