The Vitebsk Culture Center receives congratulations on its anniversary

Paraphrasing the words of the poet, the Minister of Culture of Belarus, Boris Svetlov, who took part in the celebrations, said: "We say Center of Culture – we mean Vitebsk, we say Vitebsk – we mean Center of Culture." He continued that when he was traveling to the northern capital, the weather was gloomy, the landscape outside the window was like black and white graphics, and upon crossing the threshold of the Vitebsk Concert Hall, Boris Vladimirovich plunged into a colorful festive atmosphere. However, not only he, but also the honored guests, Vitebsk residents, and everyone present at the birthday of the institution, without which it is impossible to imagine the cultural life of the city today, could not only see what it is living by, but also join in creativity.

– It is symbolic that the Center of Culture was established on January 1. So I congratulate you both on the 65th anniversary and on the New Year, which has been declared the Year of Culture in Belarus, – said Boris Svetlov, presenting the institution with a Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Culture. In the distant 1951, when the House of Culture opened in the war-torn Vitebsk, it had only 2 employees. Today, more than 1.5 thousand people are engaged in various clubs and circles. – The Center of Culture that exists today was largely created by Rodion Mikhailovich Bass, who managed the institution for many years, and under whom many landmark holidays and festivals, including the "Slavianski Bazaar," originated, – emphasized Vladimir Terentyev, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee. He also noted that for many, the Vitebsk Center of Culture became a starting point for great art. For example, the famous musician Daniil Kramer admitted in a recent interview that it was at the Vitebsk Jazz Festival that he first felt like a professional performer. Other popular artists also speak of our city with great warmth.

Vladimir Terentyev conveyed the greetings of the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, and a certificate for 1 billion rubles to strengthen the material and technical base of the institution. Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, also sent congratulations on the 65th anniversary.

On the festive evening, ensembles from the Vitebsk Culture Center, guests from other regions of the republic, Latvia, Russia, Italy, Israel, and Sweden performed on the stage of the concert hall. The audience greeted with applause Samanta Tina, a laureate of the song contest within the framework of the "Slavianski Bazaar". And the famous Russian composer Kim Breitburg dedicated the premiere of his new song "Strona Solov'inaya" to Vitebsk, which was performed by another laureate, Alexey Goman. – The Vitebsk Culture Center includes branches, concert halls, festivals, and projects, but first and foremost, it is talented people who have left a piece of their soul in our common history and continue to work in the field of art and creativity, – said the General Director of the institution, Alexander Sidorenko, before the final chord of the anniversary concert. The audience expressed their congratulations with ovations, and as they left the Concert Hall, they received invitations for new meetings with the creative ensembles of the center.

Tatyana Pasternak, photos by Anton STEPANISHCHEV, "Vitebskiye Vesti".