VITEBSK, 16 July (BelTA) – Slavianski Bazaar has become one of the symbols of the formation of independent Belarus, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the opening ceremony of the 30th edition of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk on 15 July, BelTA has learned.
“For Belarusians, the festival has become one of the symbols of the formation of an independent state. Indeed, we had difficult times. But we retained Slavianski Bazaar. And despite all the difficulties, the festival went on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president stated that a whole generation of Belarusians grew up together with the festival, the event took root in the land that can rightfully be called the cradle of Belarusian national culture. “The Vitebsk land, the birthplace of Chagall, Pen, Azgur, Bykov and Fradkin, has become a big draw for creative people in the 21st century,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that today the festival in Vitebsk is a very reputable international competition of performing arts. “I would like to emphasize that this is a competition of singing skills, and not of show technologies to boost one's image and ego. The festival runs in the name of people, friendship and unity, because nations are strong and can overcome any obstacles only when they stand together. And no matter how hard some people lay themselves out criticizing the state support and my personal support of Slavianski Bazaar, we defended it and never regretted that we hold this wonderful festival every year,” the president said.
