Four major projects involving folk craftsmen will be presented at this year's "Slavianski Bazaar".
Four major projects involving folk artists will be held this year at the International Arts Festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". This was announced today at a briefing by Ekaterina Labuko, Director of the Vitebsk Regional Methodological Center for Folk Art.
Traditionally, one of the most spectacular components of the forum is associated with projects involving masters of folk crafts. At this year's festival, there are four main ones. These are the cut-out paper art contests "Azhurnyia Mary" (Intricate Dreams), the traditional whistle contest "Salaveika-2019", the straw weaving contest "Paparats-kvetka" (Fern Flower), and the patchwork technique masters' exhibition-contest "Vitebskaya Mozaika" (Vitebsk Mosaic). "Applications for participation are accepted throughout June. It is expected that in total they will bring together about 150 masters from Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, and Latvia," noted Ekaterina Labuko. According to her, each of these projects is unique and attractive in its own way, preparing spectacular surprises for the forum guests. For example, at the straw weaving contest, participants, under the guidance of the famous craftswoman from Shumilino, Natalia Sterzhankova, will weave a one-and-a-half-meter straw spider. The organizers promise a collective performance "Solov'ina Roshcha" (Nightingale Grove), imitating the polyphony of nightingale trills, at the "Salaveika-2019" festival.
The VI tournament of national dances (to be held on Victory Square with the participation of over 100 couples) and the II International Festival-Competition of Drummer Girls and Majorettes will be remembered for their impressive moments. Participants from the Vitebsk, Minsk, and Gomel regions of Belarus and the Russian city of Smolensk will compete for the title of the best accordionist and chastushka singer at the folk music and chastushka contest "A Muzyki Hrajuć, Hrajuć…" (And the Musicians Play, Play...). The project "Belarusian Hospitality" deserves special attention. It will be held during the main festival events and will include presentations of authentic Belarusian national cuisine dishes, branded events of the Vitebsk region districts, and intangible historical and cultural values of the northern region.
The International Arts Festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" will be held from July 8 to July 17. The grand opening ceremony and gala concert will take place in the Summer Amphitheater on July 11, and the closing ceremony on July 15. Additional events are scheduled for July 8-10 and July 16-17.