27 December 2024, 14:29

Highlights from New Year Eve's ball in Palace of Independence in Minsk

In the run-up to the New Year and Christmas, the Ceremonial Hall in the Palace of Independence hosts the New Year Eve’s ball for young people. It is at this time that the hall shows itself in all its marvelous solemn beauty. Millions of lights are reflected in the mirror-like glow of the floor and crystal chandeliers. The festive cheer is created by Christmas decorations and a high Christmas tree. We provide the highlights of the event, which has become a new tradition of modern Belarus.

The tradition of holding a New Year's ball in Belarus was revived in 2018 with the support of the head of state Aleksandr Lukashenko. During this year’s ball, the president said that the event started with a proposal to hold the Vienna Ball in the Palace of Independence. “I thought back then: ‘Well, why should someone come here and create such a fest for us? We should do it ourselves.’ And we did. For several years now, we get together on New Year's Eve and have this celebration together. It has become a tradition. It's symbolic. Traditions shape the history of any sovereign and independent state. Remember this,” the head of state said.

Ballroom dancing culture is quite traditional for Belarus. However, the essential difference of the modern ball is its openness to everyone regardless of wealth and social status. In the old days only nobility and rich families could attended such events. Now everyone has a chance to attend the ball thanks to their talents, skills, and professional qualities.

“It is extremely important for me that you, being here among people of different ages, statuses and positions, feel the essence of the way of life in our society, where everyone has equal opportunities. Where the change of generations is based on respect for the historical achievements of the people and necessarily on continuity,” the head of state emphasized.

“Good evening, I am pleased to welcome you to the most beautiful, most festive place in our country - the Palace of Independence. Outside is winter, the time of the shortest days and longest nights. All of us are anticipating the New Year and are filled with happiness, love and hopes,” the ball steward, People's Artist of Belarus Vladimir Gromov said as he opened the ball. Culture Minister, Honored Artist of Belarus Ruslan Chernetsky continued: “This evening is a romantic opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the New Year ball, to feel its charm. Let this evening be a true celebration of sublime dance art.”

The dance program of the classical part of the ball was traditionally opened by a polonaise performed by debutants. For each of them, this event was certainly very special. Within a fairly short time, young men and women had not only to learn their dance, but also to think of what to wear. This task was especially challenging for girls. After all, they had to comply with a number of strict dress code requirements. The ball gown has to be white or pastel, not too lush, slightly revealing the feet in closed-toe shoes. Mandatory ballroom accessories are gloves to match the dress above the elbow and a small bouquet of flowers. There are certain requirements to the hairstyle: curls, spiral or tubular curls are allowed. Young men should wear a tailcoat or tuxedo, a military uniform, and snow-white gloves.

"In the run-up to New Year, Christmas holidays, it has already become a good tradition to hold a New Year's ball, where our best students gather to celebrate history and traditions that were laid down by our ancestors,” Education Minister Andrei Ivanets told journalists. “Invitations were sent to young people who excelled in creative activities, various competitions, olympiads, intellectual contests. The best students from all regions of our country have gathered here.”

“The mood is amazing! We are determined to surprise the audience with our dances,” Maria Yukhnevich, a student of Baranovichi State University, told journalists. It took a lot of training to bear oneself with such confidence. Participants from the regions spent about a month getting ready for the ball. They learned dance moves with choreographers in their home towns, and after that they honed their skills at dress rehearsals in Minsk. Some young people found classical dancing quite easy, but many had to work hard, especially young men. Some had to retrain from marching to dancing.

“It was a long way, there were many rehearsals, we learned different dances. Now I have peace of mind - I am sure that everything will be fine, and we will have a lot of fun,” said student of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus Daniil Vasilyuk. And his companion at the ball - a student of the same university Ksenia Potesnova - added: “It was not easy, but we honed our skills and rehearsed day in and day out.”

“I have always wanted to come here, I have dreamed about it since I first saw the ball at the Palace of Independence on TV. And here I am,” student of Pushkin Brest State University Ruslan Kozinets told reporters with pride. “Of course, all this is incredibly beautiful, but you feel nervous. It took a lot of preparation: learning the dances, finding the outfits, not falling, not stepping on your partner's foot, and not confusing your partner during the dances...” The young man is the chairman of the student scientific society.

"Belarus offers a lot of opportunities to show off, should you want to," another participant of the ball, student Vlad Degel said.

The ball program continued with the most popular, romantic and beautiful dance: the waltz. The debutants performed it first, and then the rest of the guests joined them. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko traditionally waltzed at the ball. Among the dancers were also State Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Pertsov, Belarusian Education Minister Andrei Ivanets, Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Vladimir Kukharev.

Every year, the program of the New Year’s Eve Ball features new dances. This year, Chapelloise (a traditional folk dance widely known in Europe) was included in the program. The rest of this year's ball program was quite traditional.

The ball ended with a mass flash mob. All the participants of the ball eagerly participated in it.

The distinguished guests left the hall, allowing the young participants of the ball to enjoy modern compositions, take part in a workshop and in a dance battle. Each participant left the Palace of Independence with vivid impressions, unforgettable emotions and pleasant New Year gifts from Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.