Polotsk named Cultural Capital of Belarus-2010

January 18, Minsk /Zhanna Kotlyarova - BELTA/. Polotsk has been named the Cultural Capital of Belarus-2010. This was announced to a BELTA correspondent by Mikhail Kozlovich, Head of the Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture of Belarus.

The project "Cultural Capital of Belarus" was initiated by the Ministry of Culture. It is carried out to support the cultural life of the regions. Throughout the year, small towns designated as cultural capitals will become venues for concert performances by the best ensembles and artists, and will provide exhibition halls for artists' works. Such a project will give residents of small towns an opportunity to embrace cultural values and the best examples of Belarusian art.

As Mikhail Kozlovich said, each region submitted one proposal for candidates for the title of the first cultural capital of Belarus. It is not surprising that Polotsk was granted this honorable right, as this city is one of the historical and cultural centers of Belarus. On Thursday, January 21, the events will be launched, and a plan for their implementation throughout the year will be signed. The first highlight will be a performance by the "Khoroshki" dance ensemble and the "Classic-Avant-garde" ensemble. Polotsk residents will have a chance to meet these collectives.

Throughout the year, Polotsk will host exhibitions from the collections of the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus, an exhibition of works by Belarusian artist Ivan Khrutsky, and books by Francysk Skaryna. Ancient Polotsk will also host paintings by masters from Russia, Lithuania, Greece, and Germany. Concerts by the best soloists and ensembles of the Belarusian State Philharmonic are planned. The National Academic Grand Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus will invite to its traditional event "Masterpieces of Opera Art at the Walls of Ancient Sophia" in the summer. In May, the opening of a monument to the Heroes of the War of 1812 in Polotsk is planned, which is being recreated with funds from the Union State.-0-