"Slavianski Bazaar" is moving towards the creation of an entertainment industry

The 21st International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" is drawing to a close, and it's time to take stock. Not in terms of creative achievements, of course – plenty has already been written about that. I'm referring to something else... Over two decades of its existence, the festival has transformed from a local event into a large-scale cultural phenomenon that has transcended national borders. This is easily verifiable by looking at the list of accredited participants: over 400 individuals from 15 countries. Among them are music critics and journalists working for specialized publications focusing on culture. Such professional interest undoubtedly allows us to consider the festival as a significant phenomenon. It receives evaluations for the organisation of concerts, the selection of artists and performances, and the competition for young performers. Opinions on "Slavianski Bazaar" are often contradictory, sometimes even polarising. However, the diversity of viewpoints indicates that it is a living event and, despite the ambiguity of assessments, it generates interest. As the saying goes, one only speaks well of something if there is nothing else to say. Yet, few acknowledge the role of "Slavianski Bazaar" in creating an entertainment industry. Although two decades ago, when it was just emerging, the life around the festival was limited to an exhibition of artists and craftspeople, about thirty stalls in Svobody Square near the Summer Amphitheatre, where queues were endless, and a big top circus on the outskirts. Apart from the festival concerts and performances, there was little else to see or do in the city. There wasn't even a place to sit with family or friends to enjoy some shashlik and a glass of wine. So, residents would go out with pots of boiled potatoes, sliced sandwiches, and a pre-packed bottle, organising impromptu picnics right on the lawns. Now, the situation is drastically different. During the festival days, one can find about a dozen children's amusement rides alone in the city. It's hard to visit all the fairs, sales, and fashion events in a single day. The rows of stalls and street cafes now stretch for kilometres (this year – about 10 km). The selection of dishes, drinks, and souvenirs caters to every taste and budget.

The city centre is full of tourists. And not only from Belarusian regions, but also from neighbouring Russian ones, and from far abroad. Some come only for the concerts, some specifically take leave and stay in the city for the entire festival. According to the Internal Affairs Directorate, announced on the eve of the festival, the city's population was expected to increase by almost one and a half times due to visitors. How much money tourists left in the city during the festival days has, naturally, not yet been calculated, but it is significant, as last year the average tourist visiting Vitebsk on ordinary days paid for services and goods worth $100-200. A well-known and successful businessman in Belarus once said: "If you start a business that will bring profit not only to you, then it is a worthwhile project and it has a future." Thus, "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk," conceived two decades ago as a cultural and entertainment event, has spurred the development of a civilized entertainment infrastructure. Although not yet as large-scale as abroad, everything started somewhere there too... The Minister of Culture of Belarus, Pavel Latushko, at a press conference on the occasion of the opening of the 21st "Slavianski Bazaar" Arts Festival, shared interesting data that during the previous festival, the trade turnover in Vitebsk reached Br20 billion, an increase of more than double compared to ordinary days. There is no doubt that this figure will increase this year. And trade turnover means taxes, it means orders for industrial and processing enterprises, and ultimately, it means stable work with decent wages. Largely thanks to the festival, the hotel business has begun to develop in Vitebsk, and cafes and restaurants are appearing. And although there is still no five-star hotel, and during the festival days there are not enough places in cafes, these are issues that will undoubtedly be resolved very soon. Local authorities are actively promoting investment proposals, particularly for hotel construction. And how the city has transformed over the last three years: the central historical part has become more beautiful, and the golden domes of ancient churches have begun to shine. The Vitba River, which gave the city its name, has transformed from a drying stream back into a full-fledged river, navigable by catamaran, and its embankment is perfect for a walk with a child or rollerblading. The Western Dvina also has an embankment with fountains, gazebos, and comfortable benches. Passenger boats are again plying the river. And this is far from a complete list of what attracts tourists and makes the leisure of the townspeople themselves pleasant and comfortable.On the Vitebsk City Executive Committee website, a poll was conducted on the topic "What do you like most about the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival?" just before the festival. As it turned out, 77.4% of respondents noted that they liked the festival because it improves the appearance of the city and its infrastructure. And only 3.3% of respondents believe that the festival brings nothing to the city. There is no doubt that the example of "Slavianski Bazaar," a long-standing festival in the post-Soviet space, has spurred other Belarusian cities to create and hold their own large-scale celebrations and festivals. And this is correct. This means that the entertainment industry is developing, and with it, a new direction of the economy is progressing, in which there will be a place for both state-owned enterprises and private businesses. Diana KURILO, Vitebsk, BELTA.-0-

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