International Press Center Opened at the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" Festival
16.07.2026
Over 600 media representatives are accredited to provide information support for the events of the XXXV "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" International Festival of Arts in 2026. This was announced by the Minister of Information, Dmitry Zhuk, during the opening of the International Press Center.
More than 500 journalists from over 40 media outlets in Belarus, as well as more than 80 journalists from 47 media outlets from 9 countries: Bulgaria, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Latvia, Russia, Serbia, Uzbekistan, and Estonia, will cover the festival.
Dmitry Zhuk drew attention to the changes in the media environment. Today, bloggers work alongside journalists, the youngest of whom is 8 years old.
– It's great that the festival sparks interest in everyone, – noted Dmitry Zhuk. – As a journalist, I first came to the festival in 2000. And today, I see in this hall those who have been working for many years. It is our responsibility to ensure the lasting impression of this wonderful celebration.
The Minister emphasized: if journalists do not cover an event, it does not exist in public life. Consequently, no memories will remain.
– Do your work honestly, with full engagement, so that viewers, listeners, and readers are genuinely interested in learning about the festival, – said the head of the department.
According to the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexey Guida, Vitebsk has already come alive with active creative energy, and the festival events have extended far beyond the main stage – the Summer Amphitheater. This year, the organizers have utilized many other locations, whose popularity among spectators is growing annually.
Alyaksey Guyda paid special attention to the transformation of the regional center itself: avenues and key sites were decorated with floral arrangements, stylish lighting solutions and modern illumination appeared. He emphasized that Vitebsk at night is truly beautiful.
The leadership of the region and the city aims to make every guest and participant feel as comfortable as possible. Alyaksey Guyda assured that safety issues are paramount.
– An operational headquarters is working. The number of video surveillance points has been increased. This is done so that people feel comfortable and so that any violations of public order are promptly suppressed, – explained the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee.
During the "Slavianski Bazaar", Vitebsk does not sleep, immersing itself in festival life around the clock. The Chairman of the City Executive Committee, Alyaksey Heroyeu, said that this is precisely why the city services faced an important task – to fill the regional center with bright light in the evening and night time.
– Over the current year, more than 300 LED panels have been completely replaced and installed on poles in the city, various lighting structures, garlands, and zigzags have been placed. The facades of residential buildings and central streets have received new lighting, which favorably emphasizes their architectural forms, – noted Alyaksey Heroyeu. – Vitebsk holds the title of the greenest city in Belarus, and for the festival, it is literally drowning in flowers. More than 1.5 million flowers have been planted, flower beds, planters, and roadside structures have been updated. A blooming "Heart" appeared on Victory Square, and Freedom Square is now decorated with the festive arch "Notes", dedicated to the anniversary festival. In addition, near the key concert venues – the Summer Amphitheater, the CSK, and the Star Square – thematic sculptures in the form of the main symbols of the forum – cornflowers – have "bloomed".
Significant changes have also affected the main concert venue of the forum. The head of the city reported that as part of a large-scale modernization of the Summer Amphitheater, specialists have completely replaced the audience seats, renovated the boxes, and improved the engineering networks.
Gleb Lapitsky, member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and General Director of the Vitebsk Culture Center, noted that last year Vitebsk was visited by 400,000 people. Today, according to reports, the average daily attendance of Vitebsk already exceeds last year's figures.
– Our colleagues, including those from European countries, ask: "How can a train that runs between countries be assigned to the festival? How to organize additional flights from airports that are not part of our location system due to sanctions?" You know, I sometimes ask myself the same question, how? But it all happens. And, as the classic said: "If stars are lit, then someone needs it," – emphasized Gleb Lapitsky, stressing that culture is just an external shell, and in reality, titanic work stands behind it.