The solemn opening ceremony of the XXV "Slavianski Bazaar" Arts Festival took place in Vitebsk (+Photo report)

Thanks to "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", the world gets acquainted with Belarus – a clean, bright White Rus', with its national culture and hospitable people, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during the grand opening of the юбилейный XXV International Festival of Arts.

The Head of State noted that "Slavianski Bazaar" is a peer of sovereign Belarus, as it took its first steps in the year the republic gained independence. "It develops together with the country, and it, like a mirror, reflects every stage of the formation of the young state. The current юбилейный forum has become the central event of the Year of Culture declared in Belarus. This celebration embodies our spiritual wealth, openness, and interest in the culture of different peoples. It is not for nothing that we united once – Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. We became the core of the festival and over the years have demonstrated the cultural unity of our traditions and achievements," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

According to the President, the Vitebsk festival is compared to the Olympic Games. "To paraphrase Pierre de Coubertin, we say: 'O festival, you are peace!'. This is truly a platform for peace and good. And it will still be in demand," – said the Belarusian leader and added that Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine attach special importance to the development of national art, carefully preserve the traditions and creative achievements of their predecessors. Therefore, we can rightfully claim that these three countries are a citadel of traditional culture. "This is especially important in our time, when the landmarks that previously united people of different views, generations, and cultures are being lost in the world," – Alexander Lukashenko noted. – Many countries today suffer from interethnic strife, religious enmity, moral decay, acute controversialконфликтов. Думаю, дело в том, что плодотворное развитие искусства требует взаимопонимания, а не противостояния, укрепления гуманистических традиций, а не варварского разрушения памятников культуры и отрицания всех устоев общества. Именно на конструктивных принципах основывается наш фестиваль, в этом его сила и привлекательность».

Президент особо подчеркнул, что неслучайно домом для «Славянского базара» стал прекрасный город на Двине. «Витебщина – один из уникальных центров славянской культуры, где существует долгая непрерывная традиция культурного строительства, творческого созидания, – отметил белорусский лидер. – Она уходит корнями во времена Евфросинии Полоцкой, Франциска Скорины и продолжается по сей день». Глава государства напомнил, что немало знаменитых деятелей культуры родом из придвинского края, среди них композитор Анатолий Богатырев, писатели Михась Лыньков, Владимир Короткевич, Василь Быков, Петрусь Бровка, драматург Алексей Дударев, художники и скульпторы Юрий Пэн, Марк Шагал, Михаил Савицкий. Это истоки нашего искусства, которым мы гордимся.

Говоря о том, что дал фестиваль Витебску, Беларуси и всему миру, Александр Лукашенко выделил создание уникального амфитеатра, в котором воплотились самые смелые сценические новации, и то, что за эти годы международный форум открыл сотни талантов, дал путевку в жизнь маститым артистам, молодым исполнителям и юным дарованиям. Он превратил замечательный город Витебск не только в современную культурную столицу Беларуси, но и в фестивальную столицу мира со штаб-квартирой Всемирной ассоциации фестивалей. Он привлек в нашу страну тысячи туристов, укрепил ее положительный имидж, оживил экономику.

"Самое главное, что каждый год фестиваль дарит миллионам людей настоящий, искренний, душевный праздник – праздник дружбы, радости, веселья, творчества, который долго живет в наших сердцах. Он сочетает в себе классику и современность, уважение к традициям и свободу художественного поиска, – подчеркнул Президент. – Сейчас, когда даже самые престижные международные конкурсы оказываются несвободными от

of conflicts. I believe the point is that the fruitful development of art requires mutual understanding, not confrontation, the strengthening of humanistic traditions, not the barbaric destruction of cultural monuments and the denial of all societal foundations. It is on constructive principles that our festival is based, in this lies its strength and attractiveness.”

The President particularly emphasized that it is no coincidence that the beautiful city on the Dvina has become the home for "Slavianski Bazaar". “Vitebsk region is one of the unique centers of Slavic culture, where there is a long continuous tradition of cultural construction and creative endeavors, – noted the Belarusian leader. – It is rooted in the times of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Francysk Skaryna and continues to this day.” The Head of State recalled that many famous cultural figures were born in the region, including composer Anatoly Bogatyrev, writers Mikhas Lynkov, Vladimir Korotkevich, Vasil Bykov, Petrus Brovka, playwright Alexei Dudarev, artists and sculptors Yury Pen, Marc Chagall, Mikhail Savitsky. These are the origins of our art, which we are proud of.

Speaking about what the festival has given to Vitebsk, Belarus, and the whole world, Alexander Lukashenko highlighted the creation of a unique amphitheater, which embodied the boldest stage innovations, and the fact that over the years the international forum has discovered hundreds of talents, launched the careers of renowned artists, young performers, and gifted children. It has turned the wonderful city of Vitebsk not only into the modern cultural capital of Belarus but also into the festival capital of the world with the headquarters of the World Association of Festivals. It has attracted thousands of tourists to our country, strengthened its positive image, and revitalized the economy.

"The most important thing is that every year the festival gives millions of people a real, sincere, heartfelt celebration – a celebration of friendship, joy, fun, creativity, which lives long in our hearts. It combines classics and modernity, respect for traditions and freedom of artistic exploration, – emphasized the President. – Now, when even the most prestigious international competitions are not free from

"behind-the-scenes political intrigues, we manage to maintain the integrity and impartiality of our "Slavianski Bazaar". This is precisely why it has found its way into the hearts of many viewers on five continents."

Warm words in favor of the festival were expressed by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky read out a congratulatory telegram. It stated that the large-scale cultural event undoubtedly contributes to the spiritual unity of the Slavic peoples, strengthening trust and mutual understanding between them. Its significance for the development of international humanitarian cooperation is hard to overestimate. Of course, the organizers' efforts to support gifted youth who are taking their first steps into the world of great art are of particular value. "I am confident that the current festival will be bright, spectacular, and will give participants and viewers the most positive, unforgettable impressions," the message reads.

Congratulatory telegrams were also sent by the presidents of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Throughout the evening, sincere words of gratitude to the President of Belarus and the festival organizers were heard both in video messages from famous cultural figures of our country and neighboring countries, and from the stage by stars participating in the gala concert.

By tradition, at the opening of the forum, Alexander Lukashenko presented the special award "Through Art – to Peace and Mutual Understanding," which this year was awarded to People's Artist of Belarus Mikhail Finberg and the National Academic Concert Orchestra of Belarus.

Laureates of the Union State Prize in the field of literature andfor 2015-2016, who were also awarded during the gala concert, included People's Artist of the USSR, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Fedoseyev. The award was presented to the team of authors consisting of the idea author, architect, archpriest, rector of the All Saints Parish of Minsk, Fyodor Povny; sculptor, Honored Artist of Belarus, Vladimir Slobodchikov; architect, laureate of the State Prize of Belarus, Igor Morozov. The Union State Prize was awarded to the team of authors consisting of People's Artist of Belarus and Artistic Director of the ensemble "Syabry", Anatoly Yarmolenko; composer, Honored Artist of Belarus, Oleg Eliseenkov; poet, winner of the "Golden Cupid" literary prize, Ivan Yurkin.

Masters of arts who made a significant personal contribution to the establishment and development of the festival also received well-deserved awards.

Elena Sys, "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos by Alexander Khitrov - BELTA.