On 9-10 July the agro-town of Alexandriya played host to the Kupalye celebrations (Alexandriya Gathers Friends).
For the first time in its history the festival included an exposition titled as Printing Yard that featured various book products and a demonstration of the book printing process.
The huge pavilion with the total area of 100x100 square meters was divided into several themed zones. The pavilion featured books dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing, the Year of Culture, as well as the anniversaries of well-known writers, figures of culture, winners of the national competition Art of the Book.
Guests of the festival were shown how paper was made in the past. Visitors were invited to try themselves in making a calligraphic etching on the page of Francysk Skaryna's Bible using a printing machine of the 16th century.
The festival in Alexandriya may become Belarus' contribution to the strengthening of friendship between the nations, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the festival Alexandriya Gathers Friends on 9 July.
The celebrations also include a gala concert Kupala Tale featuring well-known Belarusian and foreign pop singers.
Photo by Oleg Foinitsky
