Polotsk, the cultural capital of Belarus in 2010, opens a series of celebrations in honor of the city's 1148th anniversary

May 17, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Polotsk, the cultural capital of Belarus in 2010, will launch a two-week series of festive events on May 18, dedicated to the city's 1148th anniversary, the department of ideological work of the Polotsk City Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent. Starting the festivities on International Museum Day, the ancient city dedicates the first day to its treasury - the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve. All 11 of its museums will showcase exhibitions specially prepared for the date throughout the week and will operate on a special schedule. The "Museum Polotsk" program includes the opening of an exhibition of wartime newspapers and partisan leaflets, an open-air film screening, the "Operation Bagration" computer tournament, and an interactive open-air exhibition "Military Equipment and Weapons." Museum Polotsk will pass the baton to Pioneer Polotsk, which will be dedicated to the anniversary of the pioneer organization. Then will come Theatrical Polotsk with the play "Uncle's Dream" staged by the Honored Amateur Collective of the Republic of Belarus, the "Pilgrim" theater. The main event of Friday, May 21, which will be held under the sign of Polotsk's history, will be the opening of a recreated monument to the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812. The organizers of the celebrations promise to show a reconstruction of the war events, a parade of military units of the Polotsk garrison, a drill parade of the honor guard company of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus, and a performance by a military band. It is worth noting that this is not the only monument that will be opened in Polotsk during these days. On May 28, a cover will be solemnly removed from another bust of a famous Polotsk resident - the founder of Belarusian cinema, Yuri Tarich. Ancient Polotsk has a young face and a sporting character, so the young residents of the city and its athletes are not forgotten in the multi-day series of celebrations. Following a good tradition, on Youth Day, May 28, a procession of the city's school graduates will take place. Masterpieces of operatic art will once again sound at night by the walls of the ancient Sophia. A concert of vocal art masters will take place on May 28. The culmination of the celebrations is Saturday, May 29. Polotsk will open its doors to citizens and guests. They can expect a festive procession of labor collectives, concerts by amateur and professional artists - the State Dance Ensemble of Belarus, and a competition of pop singers, exhibitions, and fairs. This day will conclude with a fireworks display. -0-