The singing tradition of the Polotsk region has been included in the list of intangible heritage of Belarus

The Ministry of Culture has granted the status of intangible historical and cultural value to the "Singing Tradition of Performing Kupala and Harvest Songs 'Uperalyost' in the village of Bogatyrskaya, Polotsk District, Vitebsk Region," reported Natalia Demina, Director of the Polotsk District Culture Center.

This tradition is currently upheld by the folk folklore ensemble "Galasy Spadchyny" (Voices of Heritage). Founded in 1971 at the Bogatyrsky Rural House of Culture, the ensemble's participants, who are cultural workers of the district, have been collecting material for many years. They communicated with the older generation of local villagers to learn how and when the songs were performed, and also sought information in neighboring villages.

"The uniqueness of the performance style lies in the ensemble dividing into two parts. The first group starts singing, holding a long note, and then the second group of performers joins in. This creates a literal overlap, or 'uperalyost'. The folklore ensemble 'Galasy Spadchyny' has participated in numerous festivals, and experts have often noted this distinctive feature," noted Natalia Demina.

The list of historical and cultural values of the Vitebsk Region includes 957 items. This year, three more objects have been added to the list: a monument to the Battle of 1812 in the agro-town of Vorony, Vitebsk District; the Shukhov water tower in Tolochin District; and the monument "Surazh Gate."

Belarus was one of the first countries to sign the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Belarus is a member of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

BELTA.