The regional festival of national cultures, Belarusian cuisine and games was held for the first time in Vitebsk
The festival was held in Vitebsk for the first time; for many years prior, its capital was Miory. As the organizers explained, the change of venue was intended to attract more people to this project, including tourists visiting the regional center, which is itself considered a multinational city.
Three areas were set up at the Cultural and Historical Complex "Golden Ring of Vitebsk 'Dvina'": "Smachnaya" (Tasty), "Maystrovaya" (Craftsmen's), and "Kantsertna-svyatachnaya" (Concert and Festive). The first was located right in the courtyard; no directions were needed to find it – the aroma of freshly prepared ukha, draniki, pumpkin porridge, and other dishes prepared by national cuisine and game clubs for the holiday wafted from afar.
The Rossony district focused on healthy eating, offering mushroom soup, perelad (a traditional dish from the village of Zaborye), oven-baked lingonberries, and pumpkin candied fruit. The Miory region brought Mordovian dishes, and the Tolochin district brought Moldavian ones. Svetlana Zabello, while treating guests, explained how the "Sem'Ya" (Family) club, which she leads, strives to preserve the recipes of Moldavian dishes passed down through generations. With her initiative, grapes and walnuts brought from her ancestors' homeland took root in the Tolochin region, and Svetlana used them to prepare dishes. Incidentally, this club association at the Slaven Cultural and Leisure Center took first place in the national cuisine competition.
Meanwhile, the Uchashsky district hosted a multinational feast, where Ukrainian vereshchaka (a type of cold soup) was served alongside Belarusian draniki (potato pancakes), Uzbek baursak (fried dough), and Kazakh-style samsa (baked pastry). In the agro-town of Ilyushino, home to the "Druzhba" folk club of national cultures, people of different nationalities live in peace and harmony, inviting each other to their homes to taste their national delicacies.
The renowned conductor, folklorist, and ethnographer Mikhail Drinevsky, who heads the jury of the republican festival of national cultures, came to Vitebsk to observe the local clubs and masters, with the intention of inviting the best to this summer's festival in Grodno. He noted not only the variety of dishes but also their original presentation.
"You won't find such a positive attitude when hostesses present their dishes in other regions. With chastushkas (folk songs), witty remarks, and a folk spirit, the food is tastier. And the cuisine is so diverse! In a word, it's top-notch!" shared Mikhail Pavlovich his impressions.
Folk masters showcased their art in the exhibition hall. The chief expert here was Yevgeny Sakhuta, chairman of the Belarusian Union of Folk Art Masters, professor, and doctor of art history. Yevgeny Mikhailovich knows many of the exhibition's authors well and was pleased to see new works. In particular, he highlighted the unique creations of Maria Stuk, a representative of the "Bereginya" Ukrainian folk embroidery club from Ruba, and the wood carvings by Khachik Chilingaryan, a member of the "Khash" Armenian culture club at the Gomel SDC of the Polotsk district. The master presented an icon case and a khachkar (a type of folk architectural monument and shrine, consisting of a stone stele with a carved image of a cross) executed in the Byzantine-Armenian tradition. The representative of the Armenian diaspora was also recognized as the best at the regional exhibition of decorative and applied arts.
The final part of the celebration was a grand concert of ensembles and performers, featuring songs in various languages. The choreographic traditions of many peoples, for whom the Vitebsk region has become a second home, were united in a festive round dance.
In this nomination, as well as among the artisans and cooks, it was not easy to determine the winner. Amidst the array of folk talents, the jury nevertheless singled out the vocal group "Roxolana" from Lepel district, which took first place among ensembles. Among individual performers, the main diploma was awarded to Eldar Akhmedov, a representative of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Vitebsk.
