"Braslav Dawns-2017": Yacht School Opening, Medieval Battle, and Choral Assembly

Long before the holiday, the city began to acquire a new look, decorating buildings and streets with murals, stands, and decorative flower pots, and small architectural forms. Guests were welcomed, in addition to Belarusians, from six countries of the world – Russia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Armenia. Among those present were the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Shersnev, the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentiev, the Deputy Minister of Culture Alexander Yatsko, a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Petr Shershen, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Belarus Konrad Pawlik.

Assembly Brought Friends Together

Artistic groups from Poland performed concerts in the region on Friday, May 26. In Braslav, the festival events began on Saturday and took place on seven sites. The first event was the "Choral Assembly," which was organized for the sixth time. 6 children's and 22 adult choirs came to compete in their mastery, with children's choirs participating for the first time.

Singers from Mogilev, Brest, and Minsk regions wished to see the Vitebsk choristers and showcase their talents. The jury, headed by Nikolai Pashinsky, faced the difficult task of identifying the best. Among the children's choirs, the exemplary children's choir of the Ushachi School of Arts became the winner. Among the adult choirs, in the "Academic Singing" nomination, the first places were awarded to the folk youth choir from Vitebsk and the folk women's choir of teachers from Secondary School No. 3 of Novopolotsk. In the "Folk Singing" nomination, the folk song choir "Rechan'ka" of the Novopolotsk Music College took first place. The Grand Prix was awarded to the Honored Amateur Collective of the Republic of Belarus "Svitank" from the Mogilev region.

Later, all the participants became part of further events, merging into one team to glorify Belarus together in song at the gala concert.

A Symbol of Friendship and Partnership

This is how the yacht club “Friendship Sail”, opened as part of “Braslav Dawns”, was named by the **Chairman of the Braslav District Executive Committee, Vladimir Dranevsky**. The return of this beautiful sport to the city became possible thanks to the joint efforts of the district authorities, the Embassy of Poland in Belarus, and the regional executive committee. Together, they managed to revive yachting, which flourished in the Braslav region in the pre-war period. The Polish Embassy provided funds for the purchase of a catamaran, training boats, equipment, and ammunition, built a hangar for their storage, and equipped a pier.

This project went beyond small grants. According to Konrad Pawlik, its implementation cost about 100,000 euros. The sailing school, the guest expressed hope, will contribute to the development of active recreation for children and youth and will become an attractive destination for tourists from other regions.

A Commemorative Sign as a Symbol

The opening of the commemorative sign “Braslav Dawns” marked the official start of the festive events.

– The sphere is a symbol of the hospitality and openness of the Braslav region, – explained **Nina Puchinskaya, Chairperson of the District Council of Deputies**. – The festival unites performers, delegations, and countries, and once again confirms that there is nothing more important in life than peace and friendship. Braslav will always be a center of creativity and a city of brotherhood.

This idea was reinforced by dancers in a collective composition titled “Hospitality and Creativity in Every Petal”. It was continued in the theatrical performance “Seven Countries, Seven Colors of Friendship”, which unfolded in the city's central square.

By the way, this year's "Braslav Dawns" were rich in theatrical performances. They were shown in the "Lesnichovka" forest park – the traditional venue for the festival, during which the audience was reminded of the city's history, the origin and development of the forum, which gained momentum and increased its status year after year. The awarding of those who stood at the origins of the event and put a lot of effort into their development was organically integrated into the proceedings.

Nina Puchinskaya was awarded the badge of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the folk song ensemble "Na Panadworku", and the head of the Museum of Traditional Culture Ella Zinkevich were awarded a Commendation, the folk club "Ly Vozera" was awarded an Honorary Diploma of the regional executive committee, the director of the Vidzy House of Culture Hanna Pavinich was awarded a Commendation from the Chairman, the regional association of museums was awarded an Honorary Diploma of the regional Council of Deputies, the former head of the culture department Valentina Vashchenko was awarded by the district Council of Deputies, and the folk ensemble of Belarusian song "Syabryna" was awarded a Commendation from the Chairman of the district executive committee.

The Chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Shersnyov, noted that Braslav successfully preserves the traditions of the people, for which it deserves respect.

That evening, the audience welcomed numerous delegations, the hosts met them with bread and salt, and together they watched the performance of the Polish ensemble.

With the Sword of Brachislav

And in the evening, weapons rang out, and torches blazed on Zamkovaya Hill, where the medieval culture festival "Sword of Brachislav" began. Thanks to the historical reconstruction clubs, those present were able to find themselves in the distant past, look at the dishes used by our ancestors, their clothing, and marvel at how they sewed with a needle made from a fish bone, or spun flax on a spindle.

The Vitebsk "Wargenthorn" and "Nagelfar", the Minsk "Vir", "Truvaring" and "Bows Club", "Hegewald" from Grodno, "Dainava" from Lida, "Zhelezny Zhelud" from Brest, clubs from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland... first showed how people used to make fire, and later – a battle for the capture of the fortress. The spectacle was exciting, interesting and informative. The hosts reminded the audience of the history of the fortress city, talked about the weapons and tactics of besieging such structures.

It was also possible to learn ancient dances, songs, games, to refresh oneself with Polish cuisine, which was generously offered to the picnickers, and to spend time until midnight, until the sky was lit up by a festive salute.

There are no limits to our hospitality

This was the motto of the second day of the festival, which the hosts fully lived up to.

Those who came to the forest park on Sunday had a wide choice of activities. For children, there were master classes in handicrafts, dough sculpting, flower making, and attractions. Pupils of the art school and the center for children and youth demonstrated their talents on the small stage, and library workers distributed magazines from the publishing house "Vita".

Chess players from Braslav, Glubokoye, Postavy and Ushachi met in battles, "Braslavryba" and the bakery treated visitors with their products, chefs cooked ukha, artisans demonstrated their own works, and trade stalls were open. The forum concluded with a gala concert. Fast melodies and dances alternated with lyrical ones, folk songs with modern ones. In this round dance of talents, the life of seven peoples swirled.

Tamara PASHKEVICH. Photos by the author and Dzmitry OSIPAU. "Vitebskiye vesti".