На пресс-конференции, посвященной началу XV Международного фестиваля искусств

Being asked about the difference of present Festival from previous ones the organizers answer about its traditional nature.

Traditionally the morning of the first Festival day started with the press-conference on the occasion of the beginning of the 15th International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”. It was opened by Vladimir Matveichuk, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, who shared his impression from the solo concerts of Alla Pugacheva and Valery Meladze at the venue of the Summer Amphitheatre:

- The whole audience was singing together with the performers. It is the evidence of people’s love for the Festival.

This year representatives from 30 countries have arrived at the Festival, from Argentina and Cyprus for the first time. 350 journalists are going to cover over 100 Festival events. About 90 thousand people are estimated to visit concerts at the venue of the Summer Amphitheatre. The figures are very impressive so is the program of “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” where all sorts of arts can be met.

According to the organizers the Festival tries its best to be as diversified as possible. Serious classical music, theatre, cinema, Chinese circus and even part of Moscow Guard of Honor will be present at the Festival. Artists are also going to impress the visitors and hosts of the Festival. Nikas Safronov has not only taken his exhibition to Vitebsk but also agreed upon Larisa Dolnikova’s posturing for his work. At the press-conference journalists also asked questions about honesty of the Jury of the International Pop Song Performers Contest, about financing and perspectives of the Festival for the following decade.

Even without looking so much ahead the Festival was and has been a great feast of culture, art, friendship. A lot of people from different countries make appointments with each other in Vitebsk on these days.