Key Belarusian Cultural Events and Festivals

Ten or fifteen years ago, Minsk was the undisputed centre for cultural events, forums, festivals etc. in Belarus. Today, the situation is slowly but steadily changing. Each region has its own special events and festivities which are renowned beyond the borders of the region. Old traditions and customs are being revived. Belarusians themselves are again showing greater interest in their folklore and their history. There are also international festivals which are acclaimed beyond the national borders, which have been re-discovered or newly founded since the country gained independence.

Below you will find some of the most important dates of events and festivals which are worth visiting in Belarus and which can be ideally combined with one of our tours.

January	07.01. Christmas	Orthodox public holiday according to the Julian calendar
	19.01. Kalyady	Slavic winter solstice festival
	Terra Nova	International festival of digital art in Minsk
February	Masleniza begins 54 days before Easter	Butter week, marking the end of winter
March	21.03 – 28.03. M@rt-Kontakt	International theatre festival in Mogiljov
April	International festival of ancient and modern chamber music	Music festival in the oldest Belarusian town of Polotsk
May	Puppets on the Neman	International puppet theatre festival in Grodno
	09.05. Victory Day	Throughout Belarus, celebration of the end of the Great Patriotic War (Russian phrase for the Second World War)
	01.05 – 03.05. Minsk street theatre forum	Open-air performances in the historic centre of Minsk
June	Musical evenings at Mir Castle	2 week event on the stage in front of Mir Castle, with Belarusian and foreign performers.
June	15.06. Rok za bobrov	Open-air rock festival near Minsk
July	03.07. Independence Day	Celebrations throughout the country
	03.07 – 04.07. MOST (Russian: bridge)	Open-air-Festival bei Minsk
	06.07. Kupalye	Summer solstice festival
	09.07 – 13.07. Slavyanski Bazaar	Largest international culture and song festival in Vitebsk
August	Polesie’s Call (Sow Polesja)	International festival of ethnocultural traditions in the Pripyatsky National Park
August	Mirum Music Festival	Open-air in front of Mir Castle
September	Folklore festival „Kamyanitsa“	Festival of folklore culture in the Museum of Folk Architecture in Ozerco (a suburb of Minsk)
	Potato festival „Bulba-fest“	The potato is considered to be the second staple food in Belarus and this culinary festival is therefore celebrated annually in Silitchi (a skiing centre near Minsk)
	Dazhinki,different venue each year	Harvest (and agricultural) festival
November	International filmfestival „Listopad“ Minsk	Competition for domestic and foreign films, also by young film directors
November	„Sophia bells“	International organ music festival in Polotsk