VITEBSK, 12 August (BelTA) – Polotsk is the fifth town in the country to host the sports and cultural festival "Vytoki. A StepTtowards Olympus” this season. The holiday kicks off with a press tour for the national and regional media on 12 August, BelTA learned from the National Olympic Committee.
The festival participants will meet on the grounds of the former Jesuit Collegium and visit a gallery of the branch of the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, the memorial complex for the victims of fascism Urochishche Peski, Polotsk-Steklovolokno plant and the historical building of the Polotsk State University which housed the Jesuit Academy in the past.
The program will continue with a seminar to discus the topical issues of athletes' training. The event at Polotsk State University will be attended by specialists of Belarusian State University of Physical Education, the Higher School of Coaches, sports organizations of Vitebsk Oblast. Olympic values and achievements of Belarusian athletes will be in focus at a workshop by the Belarusian Olympic Academy.
Visitors to the festival are invited to attend a master class in maliavanka (painting on fabric) where they will be able to create hand-made souvenirs. The master class will begin at the local community center at 16.00. Another master class in printing patterns on fabric will be held two hours later. The first day of the festival in Polotsk will wrap up with a concert of organ music by Valery Shmat.
Svobody Square will become the center stage of all activities of the second day of the festival. These activities will include the Belarusian Brands fair, a family recreation area and a food court. They will begin at 11.00 on Saturday. From 13.00 to 17.00 visitors will be able to participate in the Olympic quest and various sports competitions, including orienteering. By the way, visitors will be offered to try their hand at more than 20 sports, including athletics and weightlifting, boxing, basketball, volleyball, cycling, football, handball and more. The best performing participants will receive valuable prizes.
Russia's sister cities of Polotsk - Veliky Novgorod and Velikiye Luki - will present their stands at the festival for the first time. Representatives of Sebezh and Pskov will take part in the Olympic quest.The event in Polotsk will be also joined by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, the general sponsor of the NOC - Belagroprombank, Emergencies Ministry, the Belarusian Olympic Academy, the Scientific and Practical Center of Sports and the National Anti-Doping Agency. Visitors will be able to take selfies near the MAZ-SPORTauto racing truck.
At 17.00 Belarusian designers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs will present a collection of clothes as part of the Rodnae-Modnae project. Visitors will be welcome to buy stylish outfits they like. Music lovers will be invited to enjoy great songs at the young singers' contest. The best of them will be named at 18.00 and receive awards and an opportunity to take part in the country's best singing workshops.
A concert of Belarusian singers will continue the Vytoki entertainment program at 20.00. After the concert the sky over Polotsk will be lit by a spectacular display of fireworks.
The sports and cultural festival “Vytoki. A Step Towards Olympus” has already taken place in Rechitsa, Stolin, Novogrudok and Gorki. After Polotsk, the festival will travel to Kopyl to reveal the potential of the region through sport, culture, science and education on 26-27 August.
