Grand Opening of "Slavianski Bazaar-2014"

The Summer Amphitheatre was under the lens of hundreds of photo and video cameras during the grand opening ceremony of the XXIII International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". The celebration of Slavic culture brought together representatives from 29 countries in the city on the Dvina.

The Summer Amphitheatre was under the lens of hundreds of photo and video cameras during the grand opening ceremony of the XXIII International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". The celebration of Slavic culture brought together representatives from 29 countries of the world in the city on the Dvina. The participation of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, in the opening gala concert is an unshakable tradition. In his speech, he noted that over the years of this forum's existence, fashion for artistic directions and styles has changed more than once in the world. Many projects that initially made a loud statement have sunk into oblivion.

– And our "Slavianski Bazaar", which began as a modest song contest, has grown into a true creative Olympics, where representatives of different types of art demonstrate their achievements, – said the President. He added that one of the main ideas of the festival is to build bridges of friendship between people through art and to promote the preservation of national diversity. It is a celebration for everyone who makes life more beautiful and kinder with their creativity. For everyone who knows how to appreciate beauty, talent, and originality.

– "Slavianski Bazaar" is one of those places where we can once again confirm our desire to be together, – noted Alexander Lukashenko. – To sacredly preserve the centuries-old ties that bind us, based on common historical paths, closeness of languages and cultures. The more such forums of unity we have, the more united we will be. Yes, I am hinting at Ukraine, but I want to emphasize again – there is no war between peoples today. The people with the people are not at war in Ukraine: with Belarusians, Russians, and so on.

According to the President, there are dishonest politicians who once underestimated this unity and its importance. A crack appeared, into which our opponents and enemies crawled, and they are now pitting peoples against each other, trying to ignite a fratricidal war, to draw the main core of Slavdom into this maelstrom: Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians.

The Head of State paid special attention to the fact that this must not be allowed to happen. In his opinion, "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" is a support and a guarantee of the unity of the Slavic peoples. After all, creative workers can penetrate a person's soul faster than politicians and military men.

This same idea ran like a red thread through the greetings received from the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko.

Following the words about the unity of Slavic peoples, which were accompanied by stormy applause from the audience, the amphitheater's public watched with particular awe the award ceremony for the laureates of the Union State Prize in Literature and Art for 2013-2014. The high award was presented to the outstanding Belarusian sculptor Ivan Miskо and the renowned Russian architecture researcher Inessa Slyunkova. The President also presented a special award “Through Art – to Peace and Mutual Understanding” to People's Artist of Russia Nadezhda Babkina.

Alexander Lukashenko congratulated the awardees and wished them new achievements and success in the noble cause of strengthening the unity of fraternal countries, and to all participants and guests of the “Slavianski Bazaar” – may this year's festival exceed all expectations, conquer with its scale, abundance of talents, and delight with creative discoveries.

It should be noted that the opening gala concert did not disappoint anyone. Top stars shone on the stage of the Summer Amphitheater – Philipp Kirkorov, Stas Mikhailov, Nadezhda Babkina, Pelageya, Irina Bilyk, Potap and Nastya, Nadezhda Kadysheva, art groups "Turetsky Choir" and "Soprano", groups "PM" and "Premier-ministr", "Eurovision" stars – Alexander Rybak, Teo, the Tolmachevy Sisters, Alyona Lanskaya, etc. Moreover, all artists, as well as the hosts, touched upon the theme of the unity of Slavic peoples in one way or another. It was heard in the remarks of showman Dmitry Guberniev, who was in dialogue with the audience: "And do you know whose voice drove Domracheva to victory on Russian television at the Sochi Olympics? And remember how the Belarusians rooted for the Russians at the World Hockey Championship". The theme of creative unity also formed the basis of some program numbers. For example, People's Artist of Ukraine Irina Bilyk and People's Artist of Russia Philipp Kirkorov performed a duet very soulfully. "Irina is now on the other side of the piano, but not on the other side of the border", – emphasized the king of Russian pop music.

The gala concert concluded with the theme of Slavic unity. The joint appearance of the artists on stage and the performance of the new song by the Honored Artist of Russia, composer Kim Breitburg, “Slavic Soul” became a kind of epilogue, the essence of which was reduced to one thing: no matter how the fate of specific ethnic groups unfolds, in critical moments of history, the unity of the Slavs has always manifested itself. This was the case before and should always remain so.

Elena Sys, "Vitebskiye Vesti"