Choral Art Competition, Video Forum and "Bayan – Battle – Fest": The "Braslavskie Zarnitsy" Festival was held in Braslav
It began with the "Braslav Choral Assembly" – a competition of choral art among children's groups. For the fourth time, young singers competed on the stage of the district culture center. A competent jury, headed by Alexander Suvorov, head of the choral department and teacher of choral disciplines at the Vitebsk State Music College, evaluated the performances: how they appeared, how they carried themselves, and, of course, how purely they sang. Therefore, the intrigue of who would win remained until the end of the competition.
And on stage, exemplary choirs from Glubokoye, Shumilino, Ushachi, and Lepel succeeded one another. With musical accompaniment and a cappella, the vocally gifted children performed songs of their native land, works by domestic and foreign authors, communicating in the universal language of humanity, which is music.
– It was not easy to choose the best from the contestants, – said Alexander Suvorov. – Everyone deserves praise, which is why the jury members' opinions sometimes differed. But by a majority vote, the choir of the Ushachi School of Arts became the winner. The team from Lepel took second place, and the team from Shumilino took third.
Then, children's ensembles handed over the contest baton to adult choirs. Now, majestic and cheerful melodies sounded over the ancient pines and the smooth surface of the lake. Each of the 19 ensembles, which demonstrated the professionalism of choral singing, had its own history and repertoire, but all were united by their popularity with the audience. The tone was set by the folk chamber choir of the Vitebsk Culture Center. Polotsk and Novopolotsk, Senno and Shumilino, Vlа and Obаl, Luzki and Ruba, as well as culture houses from the Minsk, Gomel, and Mogilev regions sent their ensembles.
The competition was fierce, and the jury was principled. As a result, in the academic singing nomination, the folk chamber women's choir from Novopolotsk won, and in folk singing – the folk ensemble of folk songs "Na Panadworku" from Braslav. The Grand Prix was taken home by the folk ensemble of folk songs "Divaki" from Osipovichi.
To ensure that everyone who visited the festival found something interesting for themselves, the organizers of "Braslav Zarnitsy" enriched the program with a variety of events. Throughout the festival, an exhibition dedicated to the 635th anniversary of Druya was held on the central square in the new exhibition hall; based on copies of historical documents, archaeological finds, and photographs, one could trace the life of the ancient settlement. The street library featured thematic book exhibitions. Attractions were organized for children, and master classes were held for skilled people and the simply curious.
The official opening of the festival was scheduled for the afternoon. Representatives of labor collectives of Braslav region, numerous artistic groups, and residents of the district gathered in the central square at the appointed time. They marveled at the castle that had sprung up overnight, at people in ancient attire entertaining in front of it, at the fight that broke out between the three young princes Bras, Snud, and Nov, at how Bras began to rule the city, and then handed over his symbols of power (the seal – to the current head of the district, Alexander Badanin, and the coat of arms – to the youth) and commanded them to rule wisely and care for the welfare of the region. The people of Braslav and their guests heartily applauded both the prince and the chairman of the district executive committee, and then everyone headed together to the Lesnichovka forest park – the traditional venue for mass celebrations of the people of Braslav.
– Our creativity and talent, our inspired and powerful song to you, our hospitable Belarus, – the hosts said on behalf of the thousand-voiced choir. They, like pilots, guided the audience through the entire concert, introducing and telling about each participant who came to Braslav from different regions of the country.
No sooner had the songs finished than the musicians struck up – this year's "Zarnitsa" program also included the "Bayan Battle Fest". The exemplary bayan orchestra and the spoon player ensemble of the Braslav Children's Art School, the bayan-accordion orchestra and wind music ensemble of the Novopolotsk Music College, soloist of the Mogilev Regional Philharmonic Pyotr Voychenko, and others shared their skill and talent with the audience during the concert and competition.
In the evening, the festival participants traveled to the Middle Ages. Ancient Braslav with its daily life, crafts, songs, dances, and games appeared on Zamkovaya Hill. Numerous historical reconstruction clubs offered to teach ancient pottery, weaving, and cooking techniques, and demonstrated warrior battles… Here, one could marvel at how our ancestors obtained live fire, which, as they believed, protected the settlement's inhabitants from illness and misfortune.
The festival "Mech Brachislava" is one of the most exciting events – spectacular and informative, and at the same time rich in meetings with famous masters of the region and the country. This year, it included an introduction to painted carpets and children's clay toys, the production technology of which is an intangible cultural heritage of Belarusians.
Guests danced in a round dance around the settlement until late evening, moving from one club to another. But then the last bonfires died down. It was time to rest, as the second day of the festival promised to be just as eventful.
In the morning, "Braslavsky Falvarak" opened its doors in Lesnichovka, where visitors could see the works of masters from the "Ly vozera" club and treat themselves to local delicacies. For example, the housewives from Ikaznen baked pancakes, and the schoolchildren from Slabodka brewed tea with herbs they grow on the school grounds. Guests were invited to participate in entertainment: catch fish, look for a soulmate, and test their strength. In short, festival participants returned to the farmstead more than once during the day, moving from it to the площадка where the smell of food came from. What kind of "Zarnitsa" can there be without Braslavskaya ukha! Traditionally, this competition was held between local teams. Each had its own recipe. Some cooked ukha in three stages, changing the fish, others dipped a burning log into it, and still others added a drop or two of strong drink... In short, each ukha had its own taste, which was evaluated by the jury, and then by the visitors of the improvised outdoor kitchen. Ultimately, the teams gained a lot of emotions and a good mood, and the guests enjoyed the fragrant ukha and the atmosphere of the event.
And on the stage, life was unfolding. The second day of the festival was dedicated to folk dances. 16 ensembles declared their participation in the "Paazerskiye Tapatski" competition. The name of almost each one began with the word "exemplary." This already allows us to judge the skill of the dancers. The audience liked everyone. But the palm of victory was still given to those from small settlements, in particular, the Verkhnedvinsk "Lyalki," who impressed with their sparkle, complexity, and precision of movements.
For two days, festival Braslav was a large creative platform where everyone could showcase their talents on stage, at master classes, games, and entertainment. The festival has sung, resounded, and given the participants a good mood and hope for new meetings.