The XVII International Youth Orthodox Forum-Festival "Odigitria" will be held in Vitebsk and its surrounding areas from July 31 to August 4, the press service of the Vitebsk Diocese informed BELTA.
The creative forum will be conducted in two stages. The main venue for the qualifying round will be the "Druzhba" Orthodox health resort camp in the village of Berniki near Vitebsk. Youth sections will also be organised here, and concerts by bands and performers will take place. In the evening of August 1, participants will perform a concert at the Palace of Culture of the urban-type settlement of Ruba. The gala concert will be held on the stage of the Summer Amphitheatre on August 2. The programme also includes solo performances by participants, competitions, round tables, excursions, and master classes.
The second stage will be a religious procession from Vitebsk to Smolensk. In the morning of August 5, participating members of the festival who wish to will depart from the regional centre and head to Smolensk, where on August 10 they will take part in celebrations dedicated to the feast of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Odigitria".
The International Youth Orthodox Forum-Festival "Odigitria" is held with the aim of uniting and exchanging experience among representatives of Orthodox youth movements, musical groups, singer-songwriters, and poets engaged in spiritual creativity.