Vitebsk malyavanka and Smolensk birch bark: what unites folk masters of Belarus and Russia?
Folk art is the soul of a nation. It is based on continuity, traditions, and cultural identity. While preserving national roots, it incorporates features of other cultures that are close territorially and spiritually. This is particularly evident in the works of folk artists from Belarus and Russia, who constantly organize joint exhibitions, competitions, and master classes.
– We have established close cooperation with the Smolensk, Pskov, and Kursk regions. We hold joint and exchange exhibitions where we try to showcase unique folk crafts. The artists have much in common, but there are also unique crafts, such as Belarusian "malyavanka" and Russian birch bark, – says Ekaterina Labuko, director of the Vitebsk Regional Methodological Center for Folk Art.
For example, artisans from Smolensk brought works made of wood, bone, feathers, and textiles to Vitebsk, while our artists surprised Russians with straw crafts, "vytinanka" (paper cutting), and Belarusian dolls. Unfortunately, the traditional April exchange exhibition cannot take place this year, but as Ekaterina Labuko assured, it will definitely be held when the pandemic situation allows. This also applies to the performances of folk amateur groups from the two countries, who often visit each other for holidays.
Russians acknowledge that Belarus has a more systematized approach to reviving folk art, with houses of crafts playing a significant role, which our neighbors do not have. Therefore, they are very interested in learning from the experience of these cultural institutions.
– We exchange methodological materials with our Russian colleagues and help each other in gathering relevant information. In particular, we have become friends with the local history museum in Velikiye Luki, Pskov Region, where we were able to find samples of folk costumes from the border territories in its collections. Russians visited us for the presentation of a book about the traditional clothing of the Vitebsk region. And now we are planning a joint project for 2022 – an exhibition dedicated to the partisan movement during the Great Patriotic War. From our side, it will be a perspective through folk art in the works of masters and amateur artists, – explains Ekaterina Petrovna.
The traditional meeting of craftspeople is planned for this year's "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". A large gathering of drum majorettes and majorettes has also been announced for the IV International Festival-Competition, which will take place within the framework of the anniversary arts forum. Last year, it had to be skipped due to the pandemic. This year, everyone (both participants and spectators) is looking forward to this colorful show, which, according to preliminary estimates, will feature over 700 drum majorettes and majorettes from Belarus and Russia.
As Ekaterina Labuko noted, preparations for this event are in full swing. In the latter half of April, a regional seminar-workshop will be held for the leaders and participants of drum majorette and majorette ensembles. Irina Voytsekhovskaya from Moscow, chairperson of the interregional Federation of Baton Twirling and Majorettes, will speak online. A master class will be conducted by Elena Osmolovskaya from the city of Kimry, Tver Region, a member of the judging panel of the international sports organization FBTM, and the artistic director of the exemplary majorette school-studio "Biliv" and the drum majorette studio "Accent".
By the way, the combined ensemble of drum majorettes of the Vitebsk region is the only one in Belarus that is part of the World Federation of Majorettes. Despite the difficulties that prevented face-to-face meetings for almost two years, our group took part in the online concert "Majorettes. The Best," organized by the organizing committee of the international federation, in the festival "Winter Patterns" in Moscow, and was invited to the online competition "Amber Parade" in Kaliningrad. Also, the drum majorette and majorette ensembles prepared joint congratulatory video clips for Russia Day and Belarus Independence Day. And performers and amateur art groups of the Vitebsk region recorded performances for Victory Day and Mother's Day, which were shown during concerts in Smolensk.