More than 80 thousand cultural events were held in the Vitebsk region in 2010

February 18, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. More than 80 thousand cultural events were held in the Vitebsk region in 2010. This was announced today at a meeting of the final board of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Department of Culture by its head Vladimir Terentyev, BELTA correspondent reports. The implementation of the Program for the Development of the Cultural Sector of the Vitebsk Region for 2006-2010 allowed for 37 major cultural events, including seven of international level, 14 review competitions in various genres, 9 regional festivals, and international cultural cooperation with 36 countries. The number of concerts, performances, theatrical festivals and ceremonies increased in the region. Polotsk received the honorary title of Cultural Capital of Belarus in 2010. Over the past year, more than 400 diverse cultural projects were held there, including a series of events dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Ivan Khrutsky, the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald, and the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the relics of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The past year was also fruitful for the creative groups of the region. Thus, 11 groups were awarded the honorary titles of "People's" and "Exemplary". The song and music ensemble "Krynitsa" of the Dubrovno District Center of Folk Culture, the "Yunost" circus of the Palace of Culture of OJSC "Naftan" (Novopolotsk) and the student theater "Art" of Polotsk State University were awarded the title "Honored Amateur Ensemble of the Republic of Belarus". In total, about 3.5 thousand folk art groups operate in the region. Significant work was carried out by the museums of the Vitebsk region. In 2010, the number of their visitors increased by 5 thousand people, and the number of museum items increased by 38 thousand exhibits. Regarding the activities of museums for 2011, Vladimir Terentyev noted the need to create retail areas with advertising and souvenir products in them, implement virtual museum visit projects via the Internet, and continue to replenish museum collections. -0-