MINSK, 5 July (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko attended a gala concert dedicated to Independence Day in the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus in Minsk on 3 July, BelTA has learned.
On the occasion of the national holiday the theater showed the classical pieces iconic for the history of the Bolshoi Theater and the cultural heritage of the country: the operas Carmen, The Dawns Here are Quiet, Turandot, The Grey Legend and others. The artists also performed pieces from the famous ballet productions, including The Spartacus, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker.
Before the concert, the head of state inquired about the prospects for the development of the theater and the technical condition of the building. In particular, the head of state asked whether the theater is maintained properly after a large-scale reconstruction, which was completed in 2009. "I remember it was top-notch back then," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
"The building of the theater is as top notch now as it was then. According to those who come here, the theater in Minsk is one of the world's best both in terms of the quality of the stage, the sound and the quality of the venue itself. Well, the interiors in general are above all praise. All the people who visit the theater leave it under great impression," said Vyacheslav Garbuzov, Director General of the Bolshoi Theater. According to him, at present some regular maintenance works are required to keep the stage, rehearsal and other premises in good condition.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also spoke about the financing of the Bolshoi Theater, saying that the plan of allocating budget funds will soon be changed like it was changed with regards to sports federations and clubs: the theater should earn part of the funds independently, the state will allocate the equal amount from the budget. "Keep this in mind. I announced the change in financing plans when visiting the Yankee Kupala Theater," the president noted. "We don't need extra people on the payroll."
After the concert, the head of state took the stage and addressed the audience. First of all, he thanked the artists for their performance and emphasized their hard work - service to art, to which they devote their lives. "Please accept our appreciation, from me and from the audience. Thank you so much," the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that people from different regions of Belarus were present in the theater today. "Let's thank them for the warmth they gave you today," he said.
"To all of you present in the hall, I would like to express my personal presidential gratitude for the role you played during the time which was a turning point of our independence. It's not a loud statement. There are many of you. You are bright representatives of the Belarusian people, who, without exaggeration saved our country(and who does not understand this now will understand it soon). I am immensely grateful for it, I feel your support," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
