The sale of certificates for "Slavianski Bazaar – 2023" has begun, which is a sure sign that the festival will take place. By the way, in its 32 years, it has never been cancelled, not even during the pandemic when other international projects were forced to close. The forum in Vitebsk has proven and continues to prove its resilience, and interest in it is constantly growing. What will it be like this year? This is what our conversation with the General Director of the Vitebsk Culture Centre, Director of the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar", Gleb Lapitsky, is about.
– Have the dates for the forum been set?
– A proposal has been submitted to the Head of State to hold the festival from July 12 to 17. We will be able to say for sure when the President's decree is issued. The forum format remains condensed (four days of main events and two additional days), but very intensive. Gala concerts will be held in the Summer Amphitheatre, and solo performances in the Vitebsk Concert Hall. Open Air projects will be not only for youth but also designed for different age groups. The venue near the concert hall proved very successful last year, and we will continue to use it actively and enrich it with new interesting formats.
"Slavianski Bazaar – 2023" will continue its traditional and audience-favourite projects: "Theatre Meetings", "Puppet Quarter", and the Festival of Spiritual Music. The philharmonic programme promises to be very interesting, in which we will involve not only the hall but also the territory adjacent to the philharmonic: the courtyard and the car park. The Days of the Union State are planned to be held in an expanded format, presumably over three days. The folk Open Air on Pushkinskaya Square has become established; we will not change its concept, and will again invite twin cities with Belarusian-Russian courtyards. According to people, last year it was one of the brightest events. The festive atmosphere of the festival city will be enhanced by the Street Art Fest. Branded trade will be presented. Perhaps, by the time of "Slavianski Bazaar", we will manage to open a merchandise shop where products with Vitebsk's festival symbols can be purchased.
– How much has the programme been formed?
– One hundred percent. However, negotiations with artists are still ongoing.
– So, you cannot name the names. But some are already known – these are the winners of the Art Parade, which is called the winter companion of "Slavianski Bazaar"?
– Yes, a talented performer from Armenia, Maritsa Tilikyan, and the Minsk collective "Nathnenne" have been invited to the festival. The latter received its voucher for the Slavianski Bazaar from the Vitebsk studio of Dina Yurchenko, the winner in the "Choreography" nomination. The capital's dance ensemble will participate in the children's competition. Incidentally, for the first time, one of the days will be accompanied by an orchestra. This is a very serious undertaking, and I believe live music will enhance the competition.
– Selection rounds are currently underway. Which countries are conducting them? And from where do we expect contestants?
– In Belarus, the final stage will take place on March 18 in Slutsk. It is gratifying that three representatives from the Vitebsk region will participate. Selection rounds will be held in Kazakhstan, Italy, Russia, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania. Interest in the Slavianski Bazaar is not diminishing; on the contrary, it is growing, including among the professional community. This can be judged by the numerous inquiries to the directorate and applications. Many understand that the level of participants in the competitions is initially quite high. After all, they must be winners of national and international creative contests, pass a selection process, or secure the support of their country's Ministry of Culture. We anticipate that, preliminarily, two to three individuals will compete for each spot. We have determined the optimal number of participants – 12 to 14 individuals in the children's and adult competitions, respectively. Thus, only the most deserving will advance to represent different countries. In recent years, the Slavianski Bazaar has garnered a large number of views on television and online, so we must take this into account. Every year after the festival, we receive analytical information from Belteleradiocompany regarding what we are doing correctly and incorrectly. Sometimes, discussions escalate into real battles, with one side defending the interests of the spectators who bought tickets to the amphitheatre, and the other advocating for the creation of a high-quality television version, as over 10 million views is a significant argument. We strive to find a golden mean.
– Will there be any new projects this year?
– Yes. One of them is an opera laboratory. Last year, the first theatre laboratory aroused great interest. It will also take place this year, based on a Belarusian play. In addition, this time we will invite not only students from theatre universities in Belarus and Russia, but also their teachers. When I discussed the prospects of cooperation with the rector of GITIS, Grigory Zaslavsky, he proposed an opera laboratory, which will be coordinated and curated by the famous singer, People's Artist of the USSR, Tamara Sinyavskaya. Such names enhance the prestige of the festival.
– Concert venues are being updated for the festival, in particular, the Summer Amphitheatre arch, the Vitebsk Concert Hall…
– It's time to update the arch. In 2007, it was modern, a kind of breakthrough, but now it looks archaic. The Vitebsk Capital Construction Department acted as the client for the works. We are waiting for warm days to start dismantling the arch. Its design will not change. However, a modern LED screen will be installed inside. It will allow displaying not only Tetris-style letters, as before, but any content that will create a unified picture with the stage.
Thanks to the decree of the Head of State, the reconstruction of the Vitebsk Concert Hall has been included in the state investment program scheduled until 2025. I want to emphasize that the leadership of the republic and the region pays great attention to culture. The concert hall is the main venue in the region. Significant events are held here. It has been maintained at a high level thanks to highly qualified staff. However, its technical equipment has long been outdated. By the current festival, external works will be completed: the roof, stained-glass windows, and porch will be replaced, and the facade will be clad. This year, we will procure lighting and sound equipment. We plan to update the stage mechanics.
– Does the festival directorate, when forming the program of the "Slavianski Bazaar", take into account the wishes of the audience?
– First and foremost. We study preferences using various sources: we cooperate with radio stations and TV channels, we receive comments on social media, we consider the number of views on YouTube. We take into account the requests of different categories of spectators. After all, the festival is made for people.
– In recent years, the overture to the festival has become one of the most spectacular and creative projects. What are you planning to impress with this year?
– For now, it's a surprise. But I can say that it will be a worthy, patriotic project, in line with the Year of Peace and Accord. I believe it will elevate the development of creativity in the Republic of Belarus to a new level.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by