The Festival of National Cultures in Grodno has been postponed, Olga Antonenko, the director of the Center for National Cultures, told reporters, BelTA has learned.
“2020 was planned to be the year of festivals. The final events of the Festival of National Culture were to be held in Grodno, but the organizing committee decided to postpone the festival at the request of the Grodno regional authorities and the national cultural public associations. We are now gearing up for the 4th Festival of Arts of the Belarusians of the World. Whether it is postponed or not will depend on the situation in the world,” Olga Antonenko noted.
The Festival of National Cultures in Grodno will be held next year, traditionally in June. “Everything is on schedule. Rehearsals of artistic teams of national cultural social associations are held online. The center is hosting several master classes,” the director of the center said.
According to Olga Antonenko, diasporas abroad are actively working to promote Belarusian culture. “Materials they send us testify to the fact. They are available on our website. The most important thing is that the Belarusian culture is popularized abroad. Quarantine measures have been imposed in many countries. Online congratulations on the 75th anniversary of Victory were extended by all Belarusians living abroad. No one stood indifferent and joined this marathon of Victory greetings. The center provides support to all the initiatives of the Belarusians abroad. For instance, some Belarusian dance companies in Argentina are some 80 years old. In April 2020 two Belarusian choreographers were to fly there to give clinics for six Belarusian dance groups. Clinics in Belarusian choreography and singing are very popular. I think the trip will take place, if not this year, then next year for sure,” she said.
As for the festivals of national cultures, the work in this direction continues. “The decision on festivals of national cultures is taken by the Minsk City Hall together with the embassies and representatives of the national diasporas. The schedule has been compiled. We will see what the future holds for us,” the director of the center said.