Youth Day at "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" was held in an international format

The youth program of "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" has changed its format this year. It became too cramped within a single day, so diverse projects were presented to the press and the general public on July 14 and 15. Many of them are already familiar to the residents and guests of the festival city, but there were also new features designed to make the program more interesting and to attract an even larger number of young men and women to participate in it.

The slogan of the youth days at the XXVI International Arts Festival is "Belarus is a source of inspiration." Indeed, everyone had the opportunity to see that our country and the international creative forum held in it inspire a huge number of young people to try their hand at various activities, to take the stage and sports grounds, to develop their abilities and to lead others.

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the NGO "BRSM" Andrei Belyakov spoke about the innovations of this year's youth days during a press conference and an open dialogue yesterday. Among them, in particular, is the project with a national flavor Disco-folk "VYSHYVANKA.BY", presented that same evening on Victory Square in Vitebsk.

In addition, for the first time, a platform "Belarus is our native home" dedicated to national cultures was organized – today, representatives of many peoples living or studying in our country performed on it. And the "Fire of Dance" tournament introduced additional nominations: "Folk Dance" and "National Dance."

The art parade, which opened the second day of the scheduled program, turned out to be bright and spectacular. The colorful costume procession, uniting participants of various contests, student squad members, young athletes, representatives of various youth organizations, creative teams, and subcultures, filled the cool rainy day with positivity and smiles. They came to the festival not only from different parts of our republic but also from neighboring countries.

As usual, an important part of the youth days was the patriotic event "We Remember and Are Proud!" with the laying of flowers and wreaths at the memorial complex on Victory Square. Thus, the young men and women honored the memory of those who fell during the Great Patriotic War, expressed their gratitude to those who defended the freedom of their Motherland at the cost of their own lives, and gave future generations the opportunity to live and work under a peaceful sky.

Words of encouragement to the participants of the youth days were delivered today by honored guests – the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, Boris Svetlov, and the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Penin.

— I am heartily glad to welcome you to our wonderful city! I would like this holiday to be a success, — said Vladimir Petrovich. — True, the weather is letting us down a bit. But, I think, considering the mood, the smiles, and thanks to the youth present here, the holiday will take place. I wish you well-being, happiness, and success!

Events were in full swing on Pobedy Square until late in the evening. Everyone could join the interactive activities, participate in sports masterclasses, listen to music, watch performances by dance groups, and dance themselves. The culmination of the youth festival was the DJ battle "Belarus and I" with the participation of the winners of the regional tours of this project.

Liliya Ivchenko. Photos by Anton STEPANISHCHEV. "Vitebskiye vesti".