Miory Regional Executive Committee
«Slavianski Bazaar-2023» has concluded its vibrant kaleidoscope of events. Of course, we are not saying goodbye, but rather bidding farewell to our beloved “cornflower” festival.
In summarizing the results, Gleb Lapitsky, General Director of the Vitebsk Culture Center and Director of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, noted:
— The 32nd edition of the festival is already part of history, yet it also represents a tally of figures. Held across 23 venues—two more than last year—the event featured over 200 activities (20 more than in 2022). A festival encompasses not only statistics, but undoubtedly also emotions. These are provided, among other things, by our exhibition program, which set a new record with the successful staging of 12 exhibition projects. The theatrical program comprised seven projects. An unprecedented number of individuals were accredited to work at the festival: by the morning of July 17, this figure stood at 5,806—a significant return following all our pandemic “fluctuations”. The Street Art Festival “On Seven Winds” alone attracted over 100,000 visitors. All these figures demonstrate that the festival is cherished and eagerly anticipated. During these few days in July, the city does not sleep, the city lives the festival. Some may argue that the “Slavianski Bazaar” is no longer what it once was. Indeed, it has evolved, becoming somewhat more contemporary, yet it retains its core essence—its soul. This year, it brought together representatives from 35 countries on the welcoming soil of Vitebsk.
— Did the event also host guests from Europe? we ask.
Gleb Lapitsky begins listing them:
— Italy, Spain, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia... It is pointless to name every country from memory, as we are genuinely pleased to welcome everyone—our festival brings people together rather than erecting boundaries.
Judging by audience feedback, the new format of the Union State Days proved highly popular. The “Slavianski Bazaar” is precisely the kind of project that can encompass both the Union State Days and the Day of Brazil, as well as the Day of Pakistan, observes Gleb Lapitsky:
— There will be a place for everyone at the festival. And if we speak of the projects of the Union State, then already this year around the round table we discussed fundamental questions, including the touring activities of student ensembles. You have already seen the first of them — our performance by GITIS. Next year, we intend to continue our cooperation with GITIS, as well as with other universities and academies. The educational vector will develop, and the festival will be integrated into all spheres of life.
And this carries great significance and meaning. Teachers from GITIS said today, not without irony, at the conclusion of the theater laboratory: “Could we ever have imagined that we would come to the ‘Slavyansky Bazaar’?” The festival on the Dvina was in no way associated with GITIS in their minds. But today, the large “Theater Laboratory” is yet another successful project of the forum. Because at the “Slavyansky Bazaar” there is room for both stage performances and exhibition programs — for all arts. Just as 32 years ago, the festival remains faithful to this golden creative principle.
Gleb Lapitsky added:
— Today we already know what we plan to add to our event in 2024. We will strive to ensure that instrumental music also appears in the educational vector. We plan to implement the idea with the assistance of one of Russia's leading higher education institutions. We are referring to the new “Instrumental Laboratory” of the festival.