On July 6, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Accreditation of guests and participants of the XXI International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" began today, the festival directorate informed a BELTA correspondent. As usual, the first to receive accreditation are the directorate staff and local creative groups involved in the concert programmes. In the coming days, participants of the "Vitebsk-2012" international pop song performers' contest will arrive at the festival. About 400 journalists will cover the festival, with every fourth one working for a foreign mass media outlet. Printed and electronic media from Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Estonia, Lithuania and other countries have sent their representatives to Vitebsk. The accreditation service is one of about twenty festival services created by the "Vitebsk" Cultural Centre for the duration of the festival. About 500 people are involved in the work of these services annually. They are responsible for all organisational work, from receiving and accommodating guests to organising the press centre and presenting bouquets. All festival services have already commenced their work. The XXI International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" will be solemnly opened on July 12. However, the first star guests will arrive at the festival earlier, as the concert programme begins on July 10. -0-

BELTA