2003

Президент Республики Беларусь А.Г.Лукашенко

In 2003 the International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” took place on July 12th – 17th. Popular artists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro and France demonstrated their skills and creativity at the festival.

The program of “Slavianski Bazaar” was diverse and intense, with 57 different cultural activities.

The opening of the festival, which was as usual gleeful and festive, took place on July, 12th on the major venue – the Summer Amphitheatre. The day of the festive closing of the International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” is traditionally the most unforgettable one. In 2003 this ceremony was especially spectacular: the official closing of the International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” was held on the Union State Day, which was arranged at the festival for the first time. The President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko, opened the festival ceremony. The President emphasized that “Slavianski Bazaar” managed to undergo all the challenges, remarking that the idea of the union among Slavic people attracts more new friends to the festival.

Приз международного конкурса молодых исполнителей эстрадной песни «ВИТЕБСК - 2003»

The first days of the festival were devoted to the 12th International Pop Song Performers Contest “Vitebsk-2003”. The Grand prix of the contest was given the name of “The Golden Lyre”.

Lyre is an ancient musical instrument of Belarusian, Ukrainian and Russian singers and at the same time it has become a symbol of poetic creativity.

The award is created by a well-known Belarusian sculptor Valery Moguchi, who succeeded in combining elegant plastics with a great symbolic meaning in his statuettes. The sculpture represents a singing woman, her arms stretched out towards the Sun. On the other hand the same silhouette resembles a lyre and the building of the Vitebsk Ratusha. The composition is “crowned” with a cornflower – the symbol of the art festival. The base of the award represents a stand, which resembles the building of the Summer Amphitheatre in its shape. There is an inscription “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”. The height of the award is 43cm.

Победители конкурса

In 2003, according to the new rules of the contest, the program consisted of the semi-final and a final. The semi finals were included due to the fact that the number of people willing to participate in the contest was very high. Those singers, who took part at the preliminary contest, were given a chance to take part at the semifinals as well. At the semifinals the contestants performed the songs that they had chosen themselves. Afterwards, the International jury declared the results of the semifinals – the names of 12 participants, who continued their way to victory in the contest finals. On the first day the participants had to perform a song of a Slavic composer, the song had to be in one of the Slavic languages, and was accompanied by the State Belarus Concert Orchestra, headed and conducted by Mikhail Finberg. On the second day the performers sang a song of their choice, which had to be in the language of the country they presented, and the song was accompanied by pre-recorded music. The jury chairman of the 12th International Pop Song Performers Contest was Andrei PETROV, a national artist of Russia, winner of the State Russian Award, “NIKA” award, chairman of Leningrad Composers Union Board, honored doctor of St. Petersburg humanitarian trade union university, president of St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society (Russia).

20 performers, representing 17 countries of the world, took part in the contest. Maxim Sapatykov, a singer from Belarus, was awarded the Grand prix. The first award was bestowed upon Nadezhda Trokhin (Moldova), the second award was shared between Vladimir Ovcharov (Belarus) and Elena Tomashevich (Serbia and Montenegro), and the third award went to Sergey Demianchuk (Ukraine) and Igor Vukoevich (Bosnia and Herzegovina). For the outstanding performance on the stage of the 12th International Pop Song Performers Contest “Vitebsk-2003”, Mister X (Armenia) and Gunar Kalnynysh (Latvia) were given diplomas of the International Federation of Festival Organizations (FIDOF). The diplomas were handed out by Elius Romanovas, a member of FIDOF Board of Directors (Latvia).

День Беларуси

Mike Newton (Ukraine) was awarded a diploma “To the youngest participant of the International Pop Song Performers Contest “Vitebsk-2003”, founded by Belarus and Russia Parliament Council.

The national air company “BELAVIA” (General Director – Anatoly Nikolaevich Gusarov) founded a special prize – a $4000 certificate for traveling within one year to any country of the world. Vladimir Ovcharov (Belarus) was the one who received the prize. The International Children Music Contest also took place within the framework of the festival in 2003.

Vasily RAINCHIK (Belarus), a composer, professor, national artist of the Republic of Belarus, art director of “Verasiata” studio, was the jury chairman of the International Children Music Contest.

According to the results of the contest, the Grand prix went to NONI (Romania). The first award was given to Alexandra Soloveichik (Belarus, age group from 7 to 11) and Sebastian Plevinski (Poland, age group from 12 to 15). The second award was bestowed on SIMO (Bulgaria, age group from 7 to 11) and Lucia Dumitresku (Romania, age group from 12 to 15). And the third award went to Tatiana Ostapchuk (Ukraine, age group from 7 to 11) and Natalia-Romanitsa Moscalu (Moldova, age group from 12 to 15).

A diploma of the International Federation of Festival Organizations FIDOF “To the young gifted performer” was given to Gally IGNEEV (Russia, age group from 7 to 11) and ZHILVINAS (Lithuania, age group from 12 to 15). All the prizewinners were also presented with “Vityaz” TV-sets.

This was the third time when the following holidays were arranged within the festival: the Day of Friendship between the people of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, the Day of Vitebsk and the Day of Belarusian Culture, the Day of Ukrainian Culture, and the Day of Russian Culture.

The main theme of the Day of Belarus was paying respect to Vladimir Muliavin, an outstanding musician, artist, national artist of the USSR, holder of Francisk Skarina Order. Vladimir Muliavin was a constant participant of “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”, and the head of “Pesniary” band…

The following artists performed at the Gala concert of Belarus Art Masters “The Star of Muliavin”: Belarus State Concert Orchestra (Mikhail Finberg – head and main conductor), Belarus State Ensemble “Pesniary”, Yadviga Poplavskaya and Alexander Tikhanovich, Inna Afanasieva (Belarus); Nadezhda Babkina and “Muzhiki” ensemble, Alexandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov, Nikolai Baskov…

The Day of Ukrainian Culture at “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” introduced the Belarusian audience to popular and new performers, as well as the leading artistic groups from Ukraine. Popular folk-tunes could be heard together with classical music and modern Ukrainian songs.

Праздник поэзии

The Day of Russian Culture began with a traditional press conference with art and culture workers of the Russian Federation. The journalists interviewed D. V. Molchanov, the deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, P. A. Belinsky, the general director of “Festa” producer center, R. O. Sarkisov, producer of the program and A. G. Ladanov, program director.

The Gala concert of Russian Art Masters “Life on the Earth without a Shot” was a success among the Vitebsk audience. Both the former festival participants and new performers appeared on the festival stage.

A press conference with Pavel Borodin, the State Secretary of the Union State, was held on the Day of the Union State. Practically all the spheres of the new geopolitical area were carefully considered: starting from the laws and legal rights up to switching to a single currency.

Special Diplomas of the Permanent Committee of the Union State “For creative embodiment of friendship between the people of Russia and Belarus” were handed out at the Gala concert to the President’s Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus (conductor – V. Babarikin), the State Moscow Theatre “Russkaya pesnia” (“Muzhiki” ensemble), “Soyuz” ensemble (headed by A. Timuk) and vocal and choreography ensemble “Zorka” (head and choreographer – N. Cherniuk).

A meeting with the representatives of the international festival movement was held at the international press center. The representatives from Belarus, Bulgaria, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Ukraine took part in the discussion. Each of them talked about the peculiarities of arranging national music forums. Moreover, there were proposals to arrange the Day of Culture of Eastern and Western Slavic people, and the Day of Kazakhstan Culture together with the traditionally celebrated Days of Belarusian, Ukrainian and Russian Culture. Within “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” there was also a festive ceremony of the opening of I. I. Sollertinsky memorial. I. I. Sollerstinsky was known as an expert in music, theatre, public speaking, a publicist, a critic and a polyglot… The memorial was erected on the year of his 100th anniversary, and is located next to Vitebsk I.I. Sollertisnky Music College, which has hosted I.I. Sollertinsky festival for 14 years.

In 2003 a new tradition emerged at “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”: the festival of Slavic poetry, organized at Belarusian authors’ initiative, was organized for the first time. The unforgettable climax of the festival was the performance with Princess Olga, as well as performances of Belarusian, Russian and Macedonian poets by V. S. Korotkevich memorial.

The program of “Theatre meetings-2003” included the performances of the leading theatre producers.

Just as in the previous years, the actors of the famous producer Roman Viktiuk, were overwhelmingly successful among the audience. A performance called “My wife’s name is Moris” (R. Shart) was demonstrated on the stage of the National Academic Yacub Kolas Drama Theatre.

A comedy performance, based on a play by Boris Ratzer “Old Russians”, featured the actors from Simonov and Vakhtangov Theatres: Mikhail Vorontsov, an honored artist of Russia, Viacheslav Shalevich, a national artist of Russia, Elena Ivochkina, an honored artist of Russia, and Anna Kamenkova. Producer – Sergey Kutasov, designer – Boris Lysikov.

The audience was ecstatic to see the renowned actors Irina Alferova and Lev Durov, who presented a performance, based on a play by S. Zlotnikov “Everything will be all right, as you wished” (staged by Iosif Raihelgauz).

“ANASTASIYA SLUTSKAYA”, a feature film (Belarus), was presented at “Spartak” cinema hall by Viacheslav Shenko, the General Director of the National Cinema Studio “Belarusfilm”.

For the first time the Mobile cinematograph of Chadikov brothers was demonstrated within the framework of the cinema program. Within the format of the project, organized by Czech cinematographers, the public could see “The Indian Summer”, a feature film. The project was initiated on May, 1st, 2003 on Freedom Square in Brno (Czech Republic) with the aim of presenting the Czech Republic as a country of rich cultural traditions, including cinematography as well. The mobile cinematograph visited more than 30 European towns in Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium and Holland within 180 days, showing Czech films to the public.

“Tysiacheletie” square was the venue of the 4th Belarus Bell Festival “Prazdnik zvona”. The main part of its participants represented Minsk school. The subtle magic of sincerity, the atmosphere of something mystical, unreal, when there is no line between a person and the world, saturated the whole show. Despite the fact that the title of the concert sounds a bit official in the modern language – the Gala concert of the 4th Belarus Bell Festival “Prazdnik zvona” – the audience managed to experience the incredible spirit of the past.

The center of Vitebsk (Ul. Suvorova, Mayakovsky public garden, and Ul Tolstoi public garden) was the main ground for the traditional crafts and folk arts fair, and “The City of Craftsmen” fair.

Город мастеров

The festival of Belarusian and Latgalian potters “Clay, fire and craftsmen” was organized at Mayakovsky public garden for the second time. Preparations took a whole week, after which Vitebsk residents found out about the technology of producing black ceramics, traditional for Latgalia and Belarus.

“Festival Mosaics” project bristled with concerts. In Mogilev Nikolai Gnatiuk’s concert was held, in Dubrovno the audience could see the performance of Jean Tatlian (France), Irina Shvedova, “Muzhiki” ensemble (Russia), in Brest – Margarita Ivanush (Moldova), Yadviga Poplavskaya and Alexander Tikhanovich (Belarus). In Gomel the audience greeted Iordanka Hristova (Bulgaria), Philip Zhmaher (Serbia and Montenegro), Robi (Italy), “Soyuz” band, Ilona Bronevitskaya (Russia) and Kirill Sluka (Belarus). Solo programs and programs held in the Summer Amphitheatre, included Nikolai Baskov, Sofia Rotaru, Boris Moiseev, “Lube” band, “B-2” and “Night snipers”.

Next to “Belarus” cinema hall the passers-by could enjoy the “Biker show” at 5pm. And after that they could become the participants of “Rock marathon” with the best Vitebsk rock-bands and guests from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Latvia.

The Museum of Local Lore held “The One Picture Exhibit” with the painting of Ilya Repin “Moon night. Zdravnevo” (1896), which is one of the most romantic woks created by the painter. It was brought from the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus. There was an exhibition, titled “Etna”, presented by young artists from Vitebsk and Smolensk. The head of “Panton” project, Alexander Pavlovsky, presented it for the 2nd time. The reason for such close cooperation with Smolensk artists is not merely the tight creative links, but also a single long-term social and ethnic unity of the two states.

Торжественное закрытие

Paintings, drawings, pottery, weaving – all these works provide the evidence of the deep interest of their authors in ethnic culture, folklore, traditions and Christian symbols.

A sheer decoration of the exhibition opening was the concert of two ethnic bands – “Nagual” from Minsk and “World Axes” from Mogilev, which succeeded in filling the hall with the atmosphere of harmony and unforgettable rhythms.

The 3rd Republican Exhibition and Fair “Small enterprise in festival Vitebsk” was organized in Culture and Business Center “KIM”. More than 30 enterprises from all over the country as well as Russian representatives (Moscow and Smolensk) advertised their products there.

And finally, box matches were held for the forth time within the format of “Slavianski bazaar in Vitebsk”.