The significance of "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" is growing - State Duma deputy of the Russian Federation

July 10, Vitebsk /Eduard Pivovar - BELTA/. The significance and authority of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival are growing. This opinion was expressed today at a press conference dedicated to the opening of the festival by Anatoly Lokot, a deputy of the State Duma of Russia and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, a BELTA correspondent reports. Anatoly Lokot emphasized that the Union State cannot ignore such a significant event and participates in it annually. In particular, this includes financial participation: 25 million Russian rubles are allocated from the Union budget for the "Slavianski Bazaar". According to the parliamentarian, the Vitebsk festival is also important from a political point of view: it is an effective element of people's diplomacy, as it allows peoples to agree on what politicians could not. "From this point of view, the festival cannot be overestimated," the deputy believes. Anatoly Lokot noted a significant feature of the current festival, which is held in the year of the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. "This date is important for all peoples of the former Soviet Union, and the festival places a significant emphasis on it," he said. "The Union State has participated and will continue to participate in the 'Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk'," Anatoly Lokot added. In turn, Vladimir Rylatko, First Deputy Minister of Culture, noted that the format of the Union State Day at the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" has changed somewhat this year: "On July 11, a large delegation of the Standing Committee of the Union State and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia will arrive in Vitebsk," he said. "A series of events dedicated to the Union State will be held over the next two days. The closing day of the festival is also the Union State Day. Awards from the Standing Committee and the Parliamentary Assembly will be presented at the closing concert." -0-