July festivals in Belarus

Kupala Night festivities are held in literally all regions of Belarus. The most vibrant and large-scale holiday — the Kupala Night Festival — takes place in the agrotown of Alexandria on the picturesque banks of the Dnieper River, Mogilev Region. The Slavs believed that the forces of nature flourished on the night of July 6th-7th. That is why they arranged singing and dancing on the banks of rivers and lakes, paying tribute to the patrons of the earth and sky. The centuries-old traditions have been preserved to jump over the campfire after sunset, dance in a round, weave wreaths of forest and field plants and then let them float on the water, making wishes. Another beautiful rite is the search for a magical ‘paparats-kvetka’ — a flowering fern. No one knows exactly what it looks like. However, people believe that the fiery flower blesses the one who finds it with eternal happiness, youth and wealth.
WHEN: July 6th-7th

Munich is famous for its Oktoberfest beer, while Brest is renowned for the family dairy festival. We are in favour of a healthy lifestyle and traditional values! Savushkin Product JSC is known in all regions of the Union State — its varieties of cheese and curd cheese, yoghurts and ice cream, sour cream and kefir are sold even in stores in the Far North and Sakhalin, Russia. The thematic fest provides a great chance to taste all the delicious goodies in one sitting, as well as to admire the horned beauties that give fresh milk, and learn how to milk them. Within the framework of the festival, it will be possible to enjoy puppet shows on pastoral topics. The programme traditionally features funny animators, captivating masterclasses, open training sessions and interesting quests. Urban residents are offered to lie on bales of hay and fly eco-serpentine ribbons into the sky — cute stuff!

Viva Braslav Open Air

Summer, sun and heat make everyone strive to get closer to cool water. There are countless lakes and rivers in the Blue-eyed country [Belarus’ nickname]. One of the most popular resorts — Braslav Lakes — has long been a mecca for partygoers. The two-day Viva Braslav Open Air party gathered about thirty thousand participants last year. Even more people are expected to join in the fun this year. It is understandable why: the headliners are Niletto, Lesha Svik, Klava Coca, Oleg Miami… A surprise is waiting for fans of Russian pop music of the noughties — singer MakSim. After groovy dances in the open air, why not take a plunge into water — after all, Braslav’s central beach is just a stone’s throw from the main stage. In addition, Viva Braslav is famous for its healthy lifestyle programme, so beach volleyball and streetball competitions will be held, and several shooting ranges will be available. Adventure lovers will surely appreciate hot air balloon flights and yachting.

WHEN: July 27th-28th

Big Bard Fishing

The best way to celebrate the centenary of Bulat Okudzhava [Soviet and Russian poet, musician, singer and songwriter] is to grab a guitar and set off to the shore of Chigirinskoye water reservoir in Mogilev Region. The local Big Bard Fishing is a unique multicultural festival that unites lovers of fragrant fish soup and author’s song genre. There is no place for pompousness here, and almost no Internet connection. Instead, you can pick the guitar strings sitting comfortably around the campfire until dawn and sing about simple joys of life. Despite the heartwarming atmosphere of the festival, it cannot be called chamber-like in any way. There are hundreds of participants, and thousands of spectators! Concerts will be held on two stages at the same time, and entertaining activities will be organised on two venues. Just in a couple of days in the forest, you will have a chance to learn a new song or master a new river fish recipe — you can count on help from professionals.
WHEN: July 26th-28th

Medieval reenactment

How was the legendary indomitable spirit of the Slavic people forged? It was through fierce battles for their independence and the peaceful future. In the small town of Zelva, Grodno Region, hundreds of reenactors of different eras — from medieval warriors in suits of armour to soldiers of the First World War and the Great Patriotic War — will soon gather on one site. Mass battles, single combats, equestrian tournaments, tactical manoeuvres and formations — the programme is going to be quite eventful. Participants will come not only from Belarus, but also from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan. On the eve of the opening of the Legendary Epochs festival, a cinema will be set up under an open sky right next to the old mill. Food courts, guitar and accordion songs, military equipment exhibition — all inclusive, in the Belarusian style.
WHEN: July 13th

By Sofia Arsenyeva