In Belarus, on September 21, events began as part of the Days of Culture of the Rostov Region, which were agreed upon by the Don Governor Vasily Golubev and the President of the Republic Alexander Lukashenko. Over the course of four days, residents and guests of the country will enjoy an exciting program. More than 700 representatives of the creative sphere will present Don culture at six leading venues in Minsk, Vitebsk and Slutsk. It is worth noting that such an event with the participation of cultural institutions of the Don is taking place for the first time in Belarus.

Photo: Government of the Rostov region

The events began with the presentation “Cultural Heritage of the Rostov Region”; during the round table, a ceremony of ceremonial signing of agreements between cultural institutions of the Rostov region and Belarus took place. The signing was also attended by the First Deputy Governor of the Rostov Region, Igor Guskov, and the Don Minister of Culture, Anna Dmitrieva.

Igor Guskov, on behalf of Governor Vasily Golubev, thanked the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko and Minister of Culture Anatoly Markevich for supporting the initiative.

“Culture, along with education, enlightenment forms the human capital of our countries. This is part of our historical code, national character. It is very important for us that culture has become a unifying force, capable of overcoming any distances and bringing entire regions and countries together,” emphasized Igor Guskov at the opening, which took place on the stage of the Palace of the Republic in Minsk.

Also on this day, an exhibition of museums, crafts and trades opened at the Palace of the Republic, the purpose of which is to introduce visitors to the historical and cultural heritage of the Don. As Igor Guskov said, the exhibition will introduce everyone to the activities of the leading museums in the region.

At the exhibition “Don Craft”, which is organized in the format of a theatrical journey, you can plunge into the atmosphere of the life of the Don Cossacks. Also at the exhibition are products of decorative and applied art of the Don: works made of leather, wood, ceramics, metal, wool and flax delight with the variety of forms and their beauty coupled with functionality.

During the exhibition days, those interested will be able to attend master classes on original applied arts:

• you can learn to weave a whip,
• make a craft from the Don vine,
• work on a pottery wheel, on a spinning wheel.

There are even workshops on making traditional dolls.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to hear such musical instruments as:

• harp,
• hurdy-gurdy,
• Don snout,
• zurna, duduk, boroza (instruments of the Don Armenians).

The performance of vocal groups from the Rostov region “Volnitsa” and “Ataman” will also add color; the artists will perform historical, lyrical and other Cossack songs.

JSC “Semikarakorsk Ceramics” – the calling card of the region – also presented its products at the exhibition. It is worth noting that all products are made of white clay, hand-painted and covered with transparent glaze.

There are still three days of a busy program ahead – these include performances by famous Don groups, and theatrical performances, in particular, in Belarus they will be able to watch the opera “Turandot”, the ballet “Spartacus”, the performances “The Quiet Don”, “Come in, Once You Come”. There will also be exhibitions with excursions and master classes.