INSK, 27 August (BelTA) - The development of the festival movement has led to the emergence of a new line of tourism, namely cultural tourism, director of the Center of National Cultures Olga Antonenko said during the roundtable to discuss the regional festivals and brand cultural events and ways to preserve and popularize national traditions, history, identity in BelTA's press center on 27 August.
“The festival movement began to pick up about 10 years ago. In order for a region to be recognizable, including internationally, it should have its own brand. Forgotten crafts are being revived and showcased. For example, we now have a museum of bread. Local residents hold various events dedicated to it. Some visitors to our country already try to build their visit around some festival to get the feel of the national flavor. This, in turn, fuels the development of local infrastructure," Olga Antonenko said.
According to her, festivals have been the most effective activity to preserve national traditions, history and identity over the past 30 years. “Belarus' calling cards are Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, Golden Hit in Mogilev, and Belaya Vezha in Brest. More than 50 festivals and celebrations are held in the Belarusian regions every year. Among them the most visible are the dulcimer and accordion music festival in Postavy, Land under White Wings in Mozyr, Magutny Bozha in Mogilev, the folk art festivals Beraginya, Avtyuki, Vyasnovy Buket and the Festival of National Cultures,” the director added.
“The regions take pride in their festivals of medieval culture, family art, bard music, and traditional crafts. We have unique festivals such as Slutsk Belts, Cherry Festival, Day of Jam, Day of Cucumber, and Dribinskiye Torzhki. Ritual festivals such as Urauski Karagod in the village of Pogost in Zhitkovichi District is an intangible historical and cultural value. Such festivals help understand our ancient past and learn how our ancestors used to live, their handicrafts. Folk art festival help revive, deepen and expand folk traditions. It is important to study festival roots in order to understand the history,” Olga Antonenko said.
