MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) - The latest episode of the documentary series Time Chose Us by the Belarus 1 TV channel looked back at the roots of Alexandria Gather Friends Festival in the agro-town of Alexandria in Shklov District, BelTA learned.
The summer festival Alexandria Gathers Friends started on the bank of the Dnieper in a picturesque place in 2010. The place was not only picturesque, but also symbolic. The festival was held near the bridge that connected the villages of Alexandria and Kopys and also two regions - Mogilev and Vitebsk.
The first edition, Vladimir Karachevsky added, was quite modest and gathered about 3,000 people. A variety of pavilions and a stage area were prepared for the guests. Even the heavy rain, which made the first festival memorable, did not spoil the atmosphere.
Soon Alexandria Gathers Friends grew from a local festival into one of the calling cards of the country. Kupala wreaths and round dances around the campfire became not just a good tradition but one of our signature things recognizable not only in Belarus but also abroad.
The summer festival Alexandria Gathers Friends started on the bank of the Dnieper in a picturesque place in 2010. The place was not only picturesque, but also symbolic. The festival was held near the bridge that connected the villages of Alexandria and Kopys and also two regions - Mogilev and Vitebsk.
In addition to the fame of being the president's hometown the place became popular as Kupala festival.
Vladimir Karachevsky, the first Deputy Culture Minister in 2010-2014, recalls that the first edition was organized in a fairly short period of time, literally in three weeks.
“Now, when we meet with colleagues we reminisce about it. We say: do you remember when it was still a field with grazing cows. We were running around trying to determine where we take electricity or where we put pyrotechnics... There were a lot of organizational and technical issues, not to mention creative ones,” Vladimir Karachevsky said.
The first edition, Vladimir Karachevsky added, was quite modest and gathered about 3,000 people. A variety of pavilions and a stage area were prepared for the guests. Even the heavy rain, which made the first festival memorable, did not spoil the atmosphere.
Soon Alexandria Gathers Friends grew from a local festival into one of the calling cards of the country. Kupala wreaths and round dances around the campfire became not just a good tradition but one of our signature things recognizable not only in Belarus but also abroad.
Aleksandr Lukashenko addresses the festival in 2024
Honored Artist of Belarus Irina Dorofeyeva noted that over time Alexandria has grown from a local, family and cozy holiday into a national grand festival.
“It is a great honor for every artist to take part in the festival. You get the feel of national Belarusian traditions, see Belarusian pavilions, taste the national cuisine and buy some souvenirs,” Irina Dorofeyeva said.
People's Artist of Belarus Anatoly Yarmolenko is sure that the Alexandria Gather Friends festival became a remarkable event of Belarus: "Artists from abroad are happy to come here and present interesting performances. This festival will have a long life. The best artists not only from the post-Soviet space but also from other countries will come here."
Certainly, the festival has deep historical roots. The Dnieper, on the banks of which the festival is held, has been an important trade route and part of the route from the Varangians to the Greeks for ages. The villages of Alexandria and Kopys and the town of Shklov were traditional venues for fairs and folk festivals. Therefore, the Alexandria Gathers Friends festival is also a big step towards the revival of cultural traditions of the Belarusian people.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko traditionally attends the festival in his hometown. A large number of craftsmen from Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and many other countries also participate in the festival. One day was just not enough for such a number of guests and events, so the celebrations began to be held during two days - Saturday and Sunday.
Certainly, the festival has deep historical roots. The Dnieper, on the banks of which the festival is held, has been an important trade route and part of the route from the Varangians to the Greeks for ages. The villages of Alexandria and Kopys and the town of Shklov were traditional venues for fairs and folk festivals. Therefore, the Alexandria Gathers Friends festival is also a big step towards the revival of cultural traditions of the Belarusian people.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko traditionally attends the festival in his hometown. A large number of craftsmen from Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and many other countries also participate in the festival. One day was just not enough for such a number of guests and events, so the celebrations began to be held during two days - Saturday and Sunday.
"Many of you remember how the first edition was held in 2010. Small and humble, just like this land. But it was already beautiful in terms of its identity. As time has shown, it has a great future. The festival quickly became something more than a regional event," the head of state said at the 2019 festival in Alexandria. The president is sure: this hospitable land has the power of attraction
of homeland and East Slavic kinship, hence such an unusual interest and
popularity.
Aleksandr Lukashenko was right: the festival is truly promising. This good tradition is maintained to this day, and Alexandria itself has become one of the country's landmarks, along with the Slavianski Bazaar.
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