XXXV International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk"
The XXXV International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" took place from July 16 to 19, 2026.
President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko took part in the official opening ceremony.
"This year the festival turned 35. For a festive tradition, this is only the beginning. For us, for you, for the residents of the city and guests, organisers, the creative team, artists, craftsmen – it is a whole era," the Head of State said as he opened the festival. "The Slavianski Bazaar has always been more than a cultural event. It is like a mirror of our history. Not only the history of sovereign Belarus, but also the history of the whole world. And not only the cultural world."
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that the idea of the festival was born at a time when the world was changing: "At a time when, to put it mildly, there was no time for songs. Peoples who had recently been one family were then learning to live separately. Not everyone understood our desire to organise such a large‑scale celebration. There were too many serious unresolved issues – political, economic, social. Both for us, Belarusians, and for our closest neighbours – primarily Russians and Ukrainians. But the festival was needed by you – the people."
In 2000, the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk set a record by bringing together representatives of absolutely all Slavic peoples. Over the entire history of the festival, representatives of 85 countries have taken part, which is almost half the world.
"Neither crises nor the pandemic interrupted the festival's history. The whole world was in lockdown, but the call signs of the Slavianski Bazaar were heard from Vitebsk. Vitebsk said and showed that true art never has had and never will have barriers. Just imagine: over all these years, more than 18 thousand artists have performed on the amphitheatre stage," the Head of State said. "On the days of the Slavianski Bazaar, so many people come to us that the city doubles in size. These are not just numbers. Every guest of ours, every participant, is a creator of the festival's history. These are our traditional friends, and friends forever."
Addressing the audience, artists and organisers of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that without them this celebration would not exist.
"I know that today, as many years ago, there are Belarusians, Poles, Russians, Ukrainians, representatives of dozens of other countries who came to us without visas. Your presence here is that unshakable thing that our world needs – a world so fragile, unstable and absolutely incomprehensible in its development. We have done a lot and will continue to do so to ensure that the Slavianski Bazaar remains the foundation of sincere and strong friendship between countries and peoples. This is so necessary today," the Belarusian leader stated.
He expressed confidence that with their support and the sincere love of the audience, the further history of the festival will be long and bright.
"The stage of the Slavianski Bazaar opens new talents and names year after year. But the stars lit here must remember that they are continuing the path of the greatest masters. Those from whom one can and should learn. The connection between generations, continuity – that is what makes true art eternal," the President emphasised.
Alexander Lukashenko declared the XXXV International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" open and, as per tradition, presented well‑deserved awards to cultural figures. These were the special award "Through Art to Peace and Mutual Understanding", the Union State prizes in literature and art. The Head of State also presented the main award to the winner of the International Children's Music Competition "Vitebsk".
During the opening ceremony, the President was presented with a commemorative gift on the occasion of the festival's anniversary – a composition of 35 cornflowers.
On the screen of the Summer Amphitheatre, archive footage from 1995 was shown, in which Alexander Lukashenko announced that he was taking the Vitebsk International Festival of Arts under his patronage.
The festival's host, Elena Spiridovich, said: "Back then, in 1995, we gave you a symbolic gift for your decisive contribution to the fate of our festival. At that time it was just one cornflower, but today it is a whole bouquet of 'Slavic unity'. It has 35 cornflowers in bloom. Exactly as many as our festival has turned!"
Accepting the gift, Alexander Lukashenko noted that all gifts presented to the President become the property of the country and cannot be his personal. Thinking about what to do with this gift, the Head of State first thought of leaving it in Vitebsk. "And then I thought: maybe we should raise it higher. And I decided – in our new National Museum or in the Palace of Independence we will find a good place. Because this is a landmark moment," the Head of State shared.
The President recalled how, in those early years, cultural workers had very much asked not to ruin the Slavianski Bazaar, so that it would remain. "And I promised that we must preserve this event of ours, no matter what it costs us. We were flooded by rain, burnt by the sun. Everything happened here. We were forced to build a roof here (over the Summer Amphitheatre) – to bring our creative event under a roof. But we preserved it," Alexander Lukashenko said.
"And I am happy. In my long presidential service, this is one of the important pages," the Belarusian leader emphasised.
Alexander Lukashenko assured creative people that in Belarus they will always be able to find opportunities to realise their talents. "Create, build. As far as possible, we will help you. Know that wherever you are – in Africa, America, Eurasia – Belarus is a peaceful island where you will always find 'prytulak' (shelter). You will always find a platform to declare to the whole world that art is peace," the Head of State said.
He stressed that art "is so needed today in our Slavic family, in our commonwealth".
Addressing the artists and creative workers, the President said: "Do your work! And don't meddle in politics, damn it. Do your work, make people happy. There are not so many joyful days for you and for us. So what will happen on this small patch of land in Vitebsk is encouraging. This is our life. This is our future."
The Head of State wished everyone happiness, health, success, long life and joy.
The main award of the XXIV International Children's Music Competition "Vitebsk" from the hands of the President of Belarus was received by Belarusian Elizaveta Tsuprik. Based on the results of two competition days, the 14‑year‑old performer became the absolute leader of the creative contest, scoring the maximum possible 130 points. Her performances were different in mood but equally convincing: in Vitebsk, the young singer performed a composition from the musical "The Wizard of Oz" and Valery Shmat's original song "My Home" in Belarusian. It was precisely the combination of artistry, vocal confidence and sincerity that brought the representative of Belarus recognition from the international jury.
The Grand Prix of the pop song contest of the XXXV International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" with a result of 135 points was won by contestant from Italy Rosy Alfano, performing under the creative pseudonym Soraya. It was to her on the first competition day that a young man proposed right on stage, putting an engagement ring with a blue festival cornflower on her finger.
Singer Nafisa (Azerbaijan) was awarded the special prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus "Slavic Hope". The official awarding ceremony took place with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Natalia Petkevich.
On the Square of Laureates near the Summer Amphitheatre, on July 16, not one but two named stars were "lit" featuring the symbol of the Slavianski Bazaar – a cornflower – and the golden name of the recipients of the special award of the President of the Republic of Belarus "Through Art – to Peace and Mutual Understanding". One of the laureates was People's Artist of Belarus, author of the unofficial, warmly beloved by the people festival anthem "All the Flowers of July", Leonid Zakhlevny. The second was Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation, People's Artist of Russia Alexander Zatsepin.
The painting Over the Town by Marc Chagall was exhibited at the Slavianski Bazaar for the first time. The exhibition with the masterpiece by the artist and native of Vitebsk opened at the Art Museum in the festival capital on July 16.
The festival was visited by 8,350 accredited guests from 52 countries; more than 600 media representatives from 9 countries covered the festival events; the festival's online broadcasts have received over 15 million views.
