Contestants in the qualifying round of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival will have to perform a song by a Belarusian composer in the Belarusian language.

On December 4, regional qualifying rounds for the international contests of pop singers and children's music, which will be held as part of the XXV International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", have started. This first stage in the regional centers and the capital will last until December 20.

In Vitebsk, the qualifying round will take place on December 10 at 11:00 AM at the Vitebsk Culture Center.

For their performance, contestants are preparing a pop song by a Belarusian author in the Belarusian language. Young performers in the competition must also present a pop song by a composer from a Slavic country in the language of that country, and children must present a song that best reflects the performer's skill and artistry.

By decision of the regional jury, the composition of which is approved by the regional executive committees, 5 participants from each region will be selected for each competition. Materials for participation in the second stage of the qualifying rounds for the international contests "Vitebsk-2016" are sent to the Ministry of Culture no later than January 4. Following the results of the second stage, 10 participants will be selected for each contest, and their auditions by a professional jury will conclude on March 20.

After that, a jury approved by the Ministry of Culture will announce the names of the artists, one of whom will represent Belarus in the pop singer contest and another in the children's music contest at the jubilee festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk".

Prepared by Nataliya KRUPITSA, "Vitbichi".