The message reads, in part:
“This is a large and truly extraordinary event, which has been making a contribution to the cultural life of many countries and promoting international humanitarian cooperation for several decades.
The festival is well-known for its artistic traditions as well as an atmosphere of friendship and creativity. Every year popular singers, actors, bands, choirs and choreographic groups perform at the venues of the hospitable city of Vitebsk.
This time the Omsk State Russian Folk Choir, the Rybinsk Puppet Theatre and artists using a unique enamel technique, Rostov enamel, will join the festival for the first time.
And, of course, a special place in the festival programme will be given to the events held with the Union State, including a gala concert timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Treaty Establishing the Union State“.
The Slavyansky Bazaar in Vitebsk International Arts Festival is the largest cultural forum in Belarus. Since 2003, Day of the Union State of Russia and Belarus has been held as part of the festival. Over 70 countries have participated in the festival over a period of 27 years.