The "City of Masters" will gather about 250 artisans at the "Slavianski Bazaar"

The "City of Masters" festival, beloved by Vitebsk residents and guests, will gather about 250 artisans at "Slavyansky Bazaar," as reported to journalists by Ekaterina Labuko, director of the regional methodological center for folk art.

According to her, a contest for majorettes and drummers will be held in the city, attracting about 700 participants. A national dance tournament will be organized on Svobody Square, with nearly 70 couples participating. "We want to hold a flash mob with them: together with dance groups in national costumes, we will create a large round dance and walk together along the central streets of the city. After all, contestants from different parts of the country will come to us, all in bright and diverse costumes," added Ekaterina Labuko.

Brass bands will perform on the stages of Vitebsk, and the "Zabava" contest for traditional toys and dolls will be held, along with master classes on their creation. The popular folk crafts fair will bring together about 250 artisans from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. They will present many types of folk art. For the first time, artisans from Dagestan will bring their handmade works. "City of Masters" will operate from July 15 to 18 on Pushkin Street.

Valery Shishanov, Deputy Director for Scientific Work at the Regional Museum of Local Lore, stated that "Slavyansky Bazaar" will feature a rich exhibition program. On the Union State Day, July 16, the exhibitions "Golden Khokhloma - the Soul of Russia" and "Torzhok Gold Embroidery" will open. The exhibition "Treasures of Pakistan," organized by the country's embassy, will be presented. Works by artist Jimmy Engineer and photographer Hamid Hussein, depicting Pakistani landscapes, vibrant architecture, and nature, will be showcased. "Another exhibition will arrive from the distant lands of Russia - 'Amto (Hello), Koryakia!' This is a private collection of Lyudmila Kaurova, which, in addition to rare ethnographic items, features paintings by contemporary Koryak artists," added Valery Shishanov. Museum spaces will be utilized for other cultural events during the festival.

Alexander Grigoryev, Director of the Belarusian Puppet Theatre "Lyalka", spoke about the program of the eighth "Puppet Quarter" festival, which will be held from July 14-18. The "Stray Dog" Puppet Theatre (Saint Petersburg) will present the play "The Ugly Duckling", and a Moscow theatre will show "All Mice Love Cheese" based on the fairy tale by Gyula Urbán. The Pskov Regional Puppet Theatre will bring "The Jumping Mouse", and the Orenburg Puppet Theatre "Pierrot" has prepared a comedy for adults based on Mikhail Zoshchenko's stories "Respected Citizens!". The Penza Regional Theatre "Puppet House" will tell the story of a crime in "To Kill Karol". The hosts, the "Lyalka" theatre, will show the audience three performances - "My Big Little Grandfather", "Tim Taler's Puppets, or Laughter Sold" and "Rhinoceros and Giraffe". "Puppet Quarter" is a classic theatre festival. It is important for us that artists and guests, when they come to us, not only watch a performance but also want to visit Vitebsk again. "Lyalka" is a second home for all the troupes," emphasized Alexander Grigoryev.

The XXX International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" will be held from July 15 to 18. Additional events are planned for July 14 and 19. The forum expects representatives from 33 countries and about 5,000 artists.

BELTA.