Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus

The culture minister noted that Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk is a symbol and a cultural brand of sovereign Belarus. “The festival should focus on developing Belarusian music culture. The festival will run as an event of the European scale,” the minister added.

An opening ceremony and a gala concert will take place in the Summer Amphitheater on 11 July and a closing ceremony on 15 July. Additional events are scheduled for 8-10 and 16-17 July. The main events of the festival will be the 28th International Song Contest Vitebsk 2019 and the 17th International Children's Song Contest Vitebsk 2019. The forum of arts will also include Theater Meetings, On Seven Winds street art festival, the Puppet Quarter, functions at the Vitebsk Oblast Philharmonics, and other projects.

Yuri Bondar also commented on the expenses of the festival. “As you know we annually hold song contests for young artists and children. The Culture Ministry earmarks money for the events because they help develop youth art and support young Belarusian talents,” he noted.

The second source of financing is the budget of the Belarus-Russia Union State. The program of the festival traditionally includes the Day of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. This year it will celebrate the music band Pesnyary and Vladimir Mulyavin and will feature artists from former Soviet countries which is meant to emphasize the unity of the Slavic culture.

Yuri Bondar also mentioned growing interest of sponsors and partners in Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. “Work with partners is absolutely important. We meet with them and explain what things sponsorship funds will be spent on. I would say that our major partners provide us with targeted assistance. Among them are several major companies from Belarus,” the minister added.

Director General of the Vitebsk culture center and the festival Gleb Lapitsky said that ticket proceeds account for some 60% of the budget of Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. “It would be difficult for the festival to develop without financial assistance from the Belarusian government, Vitebsk Oblast, and the Union State. Yet the events are 87-90% self-sustaining thanks to the involvement of big, medium, small businesses and partners,” Gleb Lapitsky noted and added that ticket sales are the main source of financing accounting for around 60% of the budget of the festival.