2004

In 2004 the 13th International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" was held from July, 15th to July, 21st.

The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko greeted the participants and visitors of the art forum at the Festive Opening concert "Ode to Peace". The head of the state mentioned imperishable value of the festival, which appears to be the symbol of the peaceful union of Slavic states. It is especially important in the year of 60th Anniversary of Belarus Liberation from Nazi Invaders.

For the first time the International jury of the International Pop Song Performers Contest was headed by a US citizen Mario Moreno, the General Secretary of the International Federation of Festival Organizations (F.I.D.O.F.).

For the first time during the festival the round table of Festival organizers, representatives of the International Festival Movement took place in the press-centre of International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk-2004" The topic of discussion was "The International festival movement. Trends of developments and perspectives".

For the first time representatives from Denmark took part at the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk-2004"

For the first time at the festival of 2004 the concert of Anna German Song Festival winners took place. It was an absolutely new event at the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", it was a festival inside another festival.

The concert brought back the memories of the times of Anna German, the most famous Polish singer. Popular melodies "But I like him", "Flowering Rose", "Ballade about the Land and the Sky" were performed by winners of the festival. The spirit, melody and beauty of these songs do not depend on fashion; they are always dear and understandable.

For the first time at the festival the presentation of "National artist Vladimir Muliavin Art Heritage" project took place. The project was created by the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, Belarusian State Institute of Cultural Issues in cooperation with the Board of the Festival Directors of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". For a long period Vladimir Muliavin repeatedly performed in Vitebsk, participated in "Slavianski Bazaar" and headed the jury of the International Pop Song Performers Contest.

For the first time the International Parade of Brass Bands was held, which became, without any doubt, one of the most impressive and mass festival events. Belarusian Army orchestra, and other groups took part in the Gala-concert of the International Parade of Brass Bands "Mir Domu Tvoemu" (Peace to Your Home), which took place on the stage of the Summer Amphitheatre.

The concert "Vitebsk is my native town" devoted to the 90th Anniversary of Mark Fradkin, the national artist of the USSR, was held. The audience joined in singing the familiar songs such as "Iz daleka techet Volga" (The Volga flows from far away), "Fabrichnaya Zastava"(Factory Outpost), "Sluchainy Vals" (Waltz by chance). Vitebsk was not chosen by accident as the place for the concert devoted to Mark Grigorievich Fradkin. The famous composer and song-writer was born in this city and spent his childhood and youth here.

"Hello, Festival" was the name of the participants' concert tour during the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". The tour took place in the Palace of Republic, Minsk. Alexandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov, "Salaviane" ensemble, Igor Korneliuk (Russia), Tamara Gverdtsiteli (Georgia), Noni (Romania), Nikolai Gnatiuk (Ukraine), "Pesniary" and "Siabry" ensembles, the President's Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus.

For the first time within the framework of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" the International Youth Forum took place, which engaged representatives of youth organizations from 7 countries. From July, 18th to July, 20th the Forum participants had visited Grodno, Brest, Gomel. Concerts, round table discussions were arranged in each of these cities; the participants of the project visited Brest Hero-Fortress.

On July 21st the press-conference and a traditional round table were held in Vitebsk.

The International Youth forum was finished with a disco called "DJs' Contest".

Traditionally during the 13th International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" gala concerts of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine took place on the stage of the Summer Amphitheatre.

The Gala concert of Belarus Art Masters "Siabry" meet siabry" ("Siabry meet friends") became a unique musical performance of a popular Belarusian band and was a great success among Vitebsk audience. All the tickets for the performance were sold out. Alesia, Yadviga Poplavskaya and Alexander Tikhanovich, Alexei Khlestov, Nikolai Baskov, Taisia Povaliy, "Chisty Golos" ensemble, "Sinyaia Ptsitsa" ensemble, "Troitsa" folk group, honored dance ensemble of the Republic of Belarus, Tsitovich National Academic People's chorus of the Republic of Belarus took part in the concert-congratulation.

Gala concert of Russian Art Masters "Dobrye Primety Leta" (Good Signs of Summer) accumulated all the diversity of Russian music culture: sophistication and finesse of folk tunes, lyrical slowness of romance, rhythm and energy of modern variety performance.

"Smyslovye Gallutsinatsii"(Sense hallucinations} and "Va-Bank" rock bands took part in the concert of Russian Art Masters for the first time. The audience was ecstatic to see the performances of Nikolai Baskov, Andrei Makarevich, "Kreolskoe Tango" emsemble, Nadezhda Babkina and "Russkaia Pesnia" ensemble, Oleg Gazmanov, Nikolai Noskov.

"Ukraine in modern rhythms" sang, danced, felt sad and joyful at the same time. The audience warmly greeted "Men Sound" vocal ensemble, interesting and young "Briats-band" group, Enver Izmailov, honored artist of Ukraine, who managed to mesmerize the audience with his guitar playing.

"Songs of Friends" was the name of the Israel Art Masters concert, which was represented at the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". Such concerts became traditional at the festival. It is quite obvious why they are called "Songs of Friends". The Vitebsk festival is well-known in Israel. Every year the delegation comes to Vitebsk. Special castings for participation in the festival are held in the country. Israeli singer Rafael was awarded the Grand Prix of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" in 1998.

In 2004 solo concerts of Cristina Orbakaite, Alexander Rosenbaum, Nikolai Baskov, Philip Kirkorov, "Mashina Vremeny" rock band were held on the main venue of "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", the Summer Amphitheatre. The audience of the Summer Amphitheatre greeted the participants of the final day of the International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2004".

The award ceremony was festive and exciting. The President of Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko addressed the participants and jury of the International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2004"with greeting words. The head of the state congratulated the Belarusian singer Petr Elfimov, the winner of the Grand Prix of the International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2004" and sincerely thanked Belarusian participant Anna Mushak for her nice performance. She was awarded Vladimir Muliavin special award "For the best embodiment of national theme and professional artistic performance".

The award ceremony was opened by the chairman of International jury of the Contest, Mario Moreno, the General Secretary of the International Federation of Festival Organizations.

Accompanied by a storm of applause, Mario Moreno handed the Grand Prix to Petr Elfimov and the Winner Diplomas to Eugene Ghor (Russia, 1st Award), Mardjan Arapbaeva (Kazakhstan, 2nd Award), Rodika Novak (Poland, 3rd Award).

On the behalf of the President Alexander Lukashenko, L. P. Guliako, the Minister for Culture of the Republic of Belarus, presented memorable gifts to Petr Elfimov, Anna Mushak, and Roman Grechushnikov, the Grand Prix winner of the International Children Music Contest.

The head of the Federal Culture and Cinematography agency of the Russian Federation, M. E. Shvydkoi greeted all the participants. His promise to organize a gala-concert in Moscow for the International contest participants met delighted approval.

Special F. I. D. O. F award for the outstanding performance was presented to Vlad (Ukraine), and Marta Maslovska (Poland). The awards were presented by the General Secretary of FIDOF, Mario Moreno.

The International Children Music Contest is the successor of the Festival Children Performance Contest. It has been included into the program of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk-2004" for the second time. Representatives from Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Serbia and Montenegro, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Estonia, Ukraine, Russia, Poland took part in it.

Roman Grechushnikov became the Grand Prix winner of the Festival Children Performance Contest.

A CD with the song collection of the winners of the International Pop Song Performers Contest from 1992 to 2003 was released before 13th International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk"

The illustrated booklet was issued before the festival as well. It contains a lot of information concerning the 13th International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk"

In 2004, all festival events were covered by more than 300 reporters from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia and Montenegro, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.

The International press-centre was working during all the festival days. The press-conferences, devoted to the Days of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine were held here. At the press-conference "On the ways of the Union State development" A. Stepanov and I. Matskevich, the deputies of the State Secretary of the Union State, introduced journalists to cultural and economic projects. The meeting of the Union State Government with Great Patriotic War veterans took place in the International press-centre. A fragment of the cinema "Vokzal Pobedy", prepared by Russian television was demonstrated at the meeting. The film is based on historic facts and evidence of those terrible years.

The "Star Hours" with participants of the festival programs took place in the International press-center.

A meeting with Anatoly Yarmolenko, the director of "Siabry" ensemble, was also arranged. In 2004 "Siabry" celebrated their 30th anniversary.

The "Star Hour" with Andrei Makarevich, Eugene Margulis, and Valentine Efremov, members of "Mashina Vremeny" band was held.

Journalists greeted Victor Sukhorukov, the honored artist of Russia. Film "Bedny, bedny Pavel!"(Poor, poor Pavel!), with Victor Sukhrukov as Emperor Pavel, was shown during the festival.

A meeting with Helena Vondrachkova, a famous Czech singer, the jury member of the International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2004", was held in the International press-centre.

An interesting press-conference with Boris Moiseev and participants of "Narodny Artist" TV project (Yevgeny Fridliand, producer, and Kim Breitburg, director) took place.

The meetings with Nikolai Baskov, an honored artist of Russia, Sergey Yurski, national artist of Russia, the Winner of State award, Alexander Rosenbaum, composer, poet, and singer, were held in the framework of the "Star Hour" program.

Vitebsk celebrated its 1030th anniversary during the festival days. The program of the day was intensive and diverse. Traditional open-air exhibitions, concerts on the city venues, "children's towns", "City of Craftsmen" fair were a part of the program. The streets were overcrowded with people looking at "Fire, Clay, and Craftsmen", the International Festival of Pottery and Blacksmith crafts, where Belarusian and Latvian craftsmen demonstrated their skills.

The City Day ended with an enchanting concert "Beloved over the City" (director M. L. Shulman), devoted to Vitebsk. If there had been jury and audience estimation of the concert quality, it would have got the highest rate and a Grand Prix. The program became a present to Vitebsk on its 1030th Anniversary. At the very beginning of the performance the audience was submerged into the atmosphere of the Old Vitebsk with its curved streets, glorified by Mark Chagall.

The exhibition program of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" presented creative work of young artists from Belarus and Latvia.

New works of Vitebsk art school members were shown at the exhibition "The thirteenth level" which was organized within the framework of "Pan Ton" project.

The presentation of the exhibition "Here and Now" of Latvian artist Inara Petrusevich took place in the Museum of Local Lore.

Theatre program of "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" was opened with a melodrama, based on a play, titled "Eleonora" by Gigo de Kiara staged by R. Viktiuk. (Featuring: national artist I. Sokolova and honored artist of Russia V. Adjamov, the soloist of Musorgsky Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre)

"Art-partner XXI century" agency (Moscow) presented monoperformance "Domashnie Radosti" (Home Pleasure), based on a book by S. Yurski.

"Sluchainoe Schastie Militsionera Peshkina" (Militiaman Peshkin's Sudden Luck) ("Duet" creative association (Moscow), producer S. Zhitinski), "Izveschenie Marii" (Message for Maria) by P. Clodel, (National Academic Drama Theatre (Minsk), director B. Lutsenko) were demonstrated as well.

The program "Theatre meetings - 2004" was closed with "Art" performance, (Yasmin Rez) staged by Mayakovsky Theatre (Russia, Moscow).

The cinema program was opened with the film "Shum Vetra" (Sound of the Wind) (director Masloboischikov). Producer Lina Agarkova and actress Alla Sergiiko presented the film before the demonstration in "Spartak" cinema hall. They talked about the process of film shooting.

"Spartak" cinema hall also demonstrated "Dunechka" premiere (director Efremov). The film was made by Belarusian and Russian cinema makers. The film was presented by a group of film makers, headed by Viacheslav Shenko, the general director of "Belarus" film studio.

Short film "Once again about war" (director Krivostanenko, Belarus), "72 meters" (director Khotinkenko, Russia), and historical drama "Poor, poor Pavel!" (director Melnikov, Russia), were also included into the cinema program of the festival-2004.

The program "I. I. Sollertinski music meetings" contributed into the diversity of classical art at the 13th International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk".

Dmitri Ivanovich Sollertinsky, a person, who admires Vitebsk, a son of renowned I. I. Sollertinsky, invited Lubov Kazarnovskaya, a prima of Russian and world opera to perform in Vitebsk. She performed famous arias of Russian and world composers as well as Russian romances.

The performance of Denis Matsuev (Russia, piano), the winner of 11th Tchaikovsky International Contest, and Denis Gershovich (France, violin), the winner of Monte-Carlo TV Award arose a great interest among the audience.

Due to numerous requests, jazz was once again represented at the festival after a year's break. Georgy Garanian and "Melody" quartet, Igor Bril, Alexei Kuznetsov, David Goloschekin and "The Four" ensemble were greeted by the audience with the storm of applause.

In 2004 festival concerts took place in Grodno and Gomel, where "J-MORS" band (Belarus), "Discomafia" band (Russia), "Briats-Band" ensemble (Ukraine) performed within the framework of the International Youth Forum.