Anniversaries and festivals in a new format will fill the Year of Culture in the Dvina region

Anniversaries, a new format for traditional events, and the renovation of cultural institutions – the Year of Culture in the Vitebsk region promises to be particularly eventful. Larisa Olenskaya, Deputy Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture, and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee, spoke about the main highlights today at a thematic press conference.

For the Vitebsk region, festivals have already become an integral part of life and image. In 2016, traditional events will receive new development, especially since the year is rich in anniversaries: 25 years of "Slavianski Bazaar", 90 years of the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theatre, 30 years of the Belarusian "Lialka" Theatre, 65 years of the "Vitebsk" Cultural Center, and 25 years of the Marc Chagall Museum in Vitebsk. A series of round dates of famous natives, poets, artists, and other cultural figures are also coming up.

"We will solemnly open the Year of Culture on February 12 at the Regional Philharmonic, where, simultaneously with summing up the results of 2015, we will strive to approach the new stage, the new five-year plan, in a festive manner. We will present awards to the best young creative talents and the "Patron of the Year" awards," said Larisa Olenskaya. She emphasized that although funding difficulties do not allow for a significant expansion of creative projects, existing ones can certainly move to a new qualitative level and format. "An example is the oldest festival "Braslavski Zarnitsy", during which several events are held: a choral assembly, a folk household dance tournament, and a medieval culture festival. And this is not the only similar project.

"Slavianski Bazaar" is expanding its format through accompanying events. This year, a festive procession of festival participants and guests, regional creative groups, and a march-parade of brass bands and drummers are planned. The presentation of district brands will be complemented by concerts of creative groups. In general, this year we have returned to a practice that was somewhat forgotten – review competitions of the creative forces of the districts. We will organize them on a cluster basis with a gala concert in Vitebsk," added the representative of the Regional Executive Committee.

Special attention will be paid to the cultural services for rural audiences and the development of off-budget activities, which will allow part of the funds earned from paid services to be used for bonuses and material incentives for employees. The strengthening of the material base of cultural institutions will also continue. In 2015, about Br60 billion was allocated for these purposes. First of all, for facilities in Tolochin, where the regional "Dazhynki" festival was held. Preparations are currently underway for the festival of rural workers in Senno. Among the important projects are the creation of a museum of the Vitebsk People's Art School and a museum of private collections in the regional center. Repairs of educational institutions in the field of culture will continue. "I would like to note that much was done in 2015 at the College of Culture and Arts. The sound and light, the atmosphere - everything is magnificent. The I. Solertinsky Music College has also been transformed. Now we are actively bringing the sound and light of the Vitebsk Concert Hall up to the required standards. We are working on the Music College in Novopolotsk, primarily on its dormitory. After all, the quality of work of the entire sector depends on solving such issues," concluded Larisa Olenskaya.

Ekaterina Kniazeva, BELTA.