Baku, July 12, AZERTAC
“The Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk festival has become a celebration of friendship and understanding,” Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the opening ceremony of the 28th edition of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, BelTA reports.
“At this gala concert I would like to warmly welcome all those who have come to the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar, everyone thanks to whom the city and the entire Belarus literally live by art, music of the festival, speaks different languages. We welcome all who have come to us to share this beautiful holiday - a true celebration of art, friendship and understanding,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state noted that it was how the festival was conceived in the early 1990s. It was a response of the artistic community to the collapse of the great multi-ethnic country.
According to him, it was was not by accident that Vitebsk was chosen to be the cultural capital of the Slavic countries: this city has a special creative vibe. “It was home to great avant-garde artists: Malevich and Chagall. They gave the world the black square and the young lovers soaring over the city,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
He noted that the creative atmosphere reigning in Vitebsk for half a century inspires vibrant diverse festivals. Many of them already gather most talented musicians, choreographers, designers and artists from different countries.
Aleksandr Lukashenko wished participants successful festival performances, the jury fair judging, viewers the most positive emotions and good mood and everybody good weather.