The festival "Dnieper Voices in Dubrovno" was supported by ensembles from 12 countries around the world

For the twenty-fifth time, Dubrovno has become a unique cross-border creative platform. 25 ensembles from 12 countries of the world gathered at the international festival "Dnieper Voices in Dubrovno" to talk about the culture of their homeland.

In addition to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Tatarstan, Ukraine, and Slovakia, singers, dancers, and musicians from India and Argentina took part for the first time.

A colorful palette of flowers, flags, balloons, and smiles – the celebrations in the district center began long before the official opening of the holiday.

The city celebrated its 625th birthday. 625 representatives of organizations, enterprises, and institutions of the region took part in the procession of labor collectives. It concluded with the honoring of the best workers "Best in Profession", young talents, long-time residents, and newborns. The theme of the small homeland became the leitmotif of the holiday.

On the main stage, the certificate "Honorary Citizen of Dubrovno District" was awarded to its native, head of the studio of military artists of the Central House of Officers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, Honored Artist of Belarus Nikolai Opiok. The names of fellow countrymen who brought glory to their native region beyond its borders were also remembered.

The head of the "Marko" footwear holding, Nikolai Martynov, the director of the Republican Center for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment of the Population, Gennady Bolbatovsky, and the playwright Alexei Dudarev continue to contribute to the improvement and prosperity of their small homeland.

Gifts to the city for its anniversary included a clock tower, symbolizing the manufactory that produced watches here 300 years ago, and the exhibition hall of the future city museum, where the exhibition of Nikolai Opiok's works "Dubrovno Region in Faces" was opened.

Round Dance of Friendship

Meanwhile, the Kireevskaya Grove, located 10 km from the district center, was also ringing with activity. And not only with the trills of nightingales and the murmur of a local spring. Songs in 12 languages and dances of various nationalities around the Friendship bonfire – a captivating and unforgettable spectacle. Here, participants from 25 ensembles met and immediately switched to informal address. In one creative round dance, and then at a round table during a press conference – an Argentine, an Indian, an Estonian, a Russian, a Belarusian, a Pole, a Latvian…

In the renovated conference hall of the district executive committee, as part of "Dazhynki," a meeting was held between the district leadership and the festival's organizing committee. The forum serves the cause of good and peace, and promotes the development of cultural and educational dialogue. Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, expressed his confidence in this.

– The fact that this wonderful festival is taking place under the banner of the Year of Small Motherland and the 625th anniversary of Dubrovno has special significance, – the head of the region's deputy corps addressed the guests. – The festival program organically combines concerts by creative ensembles, events commemorating the heroic past of Dubrovno region, and youth entertainment events. History and culture enrich our lives, serve as a school of upbringing for new generations, and bring the joy of communication.

Natalia Zaderkovskaya, Head of the Department of Culture and Folk Art of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, noted that the festival movement is well-developed in Belarus. Annually, 70 forums of various levels are held in the country, mainly festivals of folk art.

– They are the most democratic and mass-oriented, – emphasized Natalia Zaderkovskaya. – The best of them have international and republican status. This includes "Dnyaproŭskiya halasy ŭ Dubroŭnie," which has become a regional brand and contributes to the development of its tourism potential and social sphere.

Delegation introductions and souvenir exchanges took place. The rally-requiem "We Remember the Feats of Our Fathers" at the "Rylenkі" memorial complex concluded the official part of the celebration.

Sing, Nightingale!

At the forum, they played the accordion, dulcimer, harps, and bagpipes. And the participants of the regional competition "Salaveyka-2018", which is held as part of the festival for the fourth time, played on whistles. Masters from Vitebsk, Brest, and Mogilev regions, as well as from Argentina and Tatarstan, created their works in front of the spectators.

Each craftsman had a unique style. For example, the Marach-style nightingale was revived by a craftswoman from Dubrovno, Olga Alekseeva. She has been making whistles for almost 10 years, and her works are recognized as some of the best at the competition. But debutante Anastasia Zueva from Chashniki is demonstrating her creations for the first time. The young specialist from the House of Crafts came to the festival to gain experience.

Show Yourself and See Others

Throughout the second day of the festival, traditional projects "Dubravushka Doll" and "Carpet of Friendship" were presented on the main stage, and branded farmsteads "Dubrovenshchina Hospitable" were open.

Each of them treated the guests of the region to traditional dishes and delighted them with amateur performances. Participants from folk clubs and interest groups from agro-towns, organizations, and enterprises were able to surprise with their unique character. The farmsteads "Fisherman and Fish," "Klyukovka," "Milk Rivers," "Flax," and "Herbalist" competed not only in their ability to showcase themselves but also in welcoming guests with delicacies.

The evening program was marked by a concert-presentation of the participating collectives "Dneprovskiye Golosa," as well as the regional pop music competition "VIA-ton-2018" in a musical ring format. The collectives performed original songs, cover versions of hits from the 1970s-2000s, and arranged Belarusian folk compositions.

The residents of the district's agro-towns were also not bored – festival participants gave evening concerts on local stages.

And Sunday morning began with a theatrical procession of festival participants, continued with a gala concert and an awards ceremony. The final touch was the folk ritual "Pasakhi – na lyogkiya shlyakhi". Dubrovenshchina met the participants of the 25th anniversary festival with enthusiasm and bid them farewell with grandeur. The concluding chords were a concert by artists of the Belarusian stage, a colorful fireworks display, and a night disco.