The international festival "Visiting the Lepel Tsmok" will be held on August 20 in the glade of this mythical creature – the Lepel city park, as reported to BELTA by the local district executive committee.
"The festival is gaining momentum, attracting guests not only from Belarus but also from abroad. To assess the scale, this year we are involving volunteers for the first time, who, after talking to guests, will find out where people learn about the festival, what attracted them to Lepel, and which countries they are from. Of course, the unifying figure through music, lyrics, symbols, and imagery will be the Tsmok – a mythical creature, a variant of a dragon, which is present in the mythology of many peoples in one way or another. Through the positive symbolism of mythology, which in ancient times was a system of knowledge and helped maintain harmony with nature, we want to show the identity of our people. And at the same time, the commonality and harmony with other peoples, where there are similar symbols and images," explained the concept of the festival by Olga Makhanenko, a member of the initiative group.
Traditionally, all activities at the festival will be distributed across different zones. Music lovers are invited to "Musical Olympus" to listen to Belarusian bands performing in folk and ethno styles, including those mixed with rock, punk, popular music, European ethno-jazz, and even Latin American tango. Special treats will include performances by Dmitry Vaitushkevich, who will perform original songs set to the words of Belarusian poets, "Spiewny Skhod" by Sergey Dolgushev, and a mini-concert by the band "Palats". The musical program will be concluded by Ukrainian guests who have taken the internet by storm – the band TaRuta.
In the "Dance Glade," master classes in music, singing, and traditional dances will be organized. On the "Children's Hill," there will be entertainment for the young guests of the holiday: games and amusements, original fairy tales, and a puppet show. Folk artisans will present their crafts in the "Valley of Masters," experienced chefs and owners of agro-estates will treat guests on their "Culinary Island," and on the "Tourist Coast," you will be able to find all the information about recreation and health improvement options in Belarus.
The organizers also promise a kite show, though not terrestrial, but aerial. Moreover, the authors of the most original flying objects will be awarded prizes.
The festival is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Belarus, its main organizers are the Lepel District Executive Committee and the district's initiative group, and the partner is the socio-cultural campaign "Budzma Belarusami".