Lapitsky shared plans for 35th Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk International Festival of Arts
14.07.2025
The international press centre forum has summarised the 34th Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk International Festival of Arts — the forum director Gleb Lapitsky spoke about the achievements, new projects and plans for the anniversary 35th Slavianski Bazaar Festival
Gleb Lapitsky emphasised, “Our festival is a forum of friendship, kindness and encounters. We spread kindness through art.”
This year, the festival brought together 6,647 accredited participants from 44 countries — among them were both regular guests and those who came for the first time. Nigeria was a special debutant that expanded the geography of the forum
Creative competitions traditionally became the central events: 14 performers for each contest participated in the children's and in the adult competitions. Belarus' success — the Grand Prix in the children's competition and first place in the adult one — confirmed the high level of national culture.
The Slavianski Bazaar Festival is not only about music, but also about social initiatives. This year, artists and bloggers visited a children's hospital; and children from foster families and social institutions were able to see the festival thanks to the support of the Union State.
A key innovation was a new concert venue — the Vitebsk Central Sports Complex, which complemented the legendary Vitebsk’s Summer Amphitheatre. The new venue made it possible to attract new audiences and hold additional events. In total, more than 200,000 spectators visited the city stages — 70,000 of whom were ticket holders.
The online format also broke records — the opening ceremony has been watched by up to 5m people (compared to 2m in 2024). The viewers from 118 countries watched the Slavianski Bazaar Festival on-air.
Gleb Lapitsky stated that despite political difficulties, the festival remains a platform for dialogue, “We have no banned countries or performers — if others restrict culture, they only harm themselves. An example is the Latvian contestant who received recognition from the audience despite low scores.
Preparations for the 35th Slavianski Bazaar Festival have already begun. Among the ideas are the revival of parades and jazz programmes, as well as the street art development. This year, groups from Belarus, Russia, Poland, Germany and other countries took part in it.
The forum director made a promise, “We will make the festival even more vibrant and ambitious.”
Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk has once again proven that art unites, and for a few days, the city of Vitebsk became the capital of peace, friendship and creativity.
sb.by
Gleb Lapitsky emphasised, “Our festival is a forum of friendship, kindness and encounters. We spread kindness through art.”
This year, the festival brought together 6,647 accredited participants from 44 countries — among them were both regular guests and those who came for the first time. Nigeria was a special debutant that expanded the geography of the forum
Creative competitions traditionally became the central events: 14 performers for each contest participated in the children's and in the adult competitions. Belarus' success — the Grand Prix in the children's competition and first place in the adult one — confirmed the high level of national culture.
The Slavianski Bazaar Festival is not only about music, but also about social initiatives. This year, artists and bloggers visited a children's hospital; and children from foster families and social institutions were able to see the festival thanks to the support of the Union State.
A key innovation was a new concert venue — the Vitebsk Central Sports Complex, which complemented the legendary Vitebsk’s Summer Amphitheatre. The new venue made it possible to attract new audiences and hold additional events. In total, more than 200,000 spectators visited the city stages — 70,000 of whom were ticket holders.
The online format also broke records — the opening ceremony has been watched by up to 5m people (compared to 2m in 2024). The viewers from 118 countries watched the Slavianski Bazaar Festival on-air.
Gleb Lapitsky stated that despite political difficulties, the festival remains a platform for dialogue, “We have no banned countries or performers — if others restrict culture, they only harm themselves. An example is the Latvian contestant who received recognition from the audience despite low scores.
Preparations for the 35th Slavianski Bazaar Festival have already begun. Among the ideas are the revival of parades and jazz programmes, as well as the street art development. This year, groups from Belarus, Russia, Poland, Germany and other countries took part in it.
The forum director made a promise, “We will make the festival even more vibrant and ambitious.”
Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk has once again proven that art unites, and for a few days, the city of Vitebsk became the capital of peace, friendship and creativity.
sb.by
