THE BELARUSIAN FAIR IN DAUGAVPILS EXPANDS ITS REACH

On 15 October 2022, the concert hall of the Unity House hosted the 12th International Folk Culture Festival “The Belarusian Fair in Daugavpils”, organised by the Belarusian Cultural Centre (BCC) of the Daugavpils City Municipality, with creative groups from Latvia and Lithuania taking part.

The traditional colourful autumn celebration serves as a kind of catalyst for preserving and promoting cultural heritage and the traditions of the Belarusian people, and has gained popularity in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Belarus. Belarusian amateur groups from these countries have taken part in the fair organised by the BCC on numerous occasions.

An hour before the concert, the foyer of the Unity House welcomed visitors with a variety of exhibitions and master classes. The abundance of eye-catching autumn produce and an assortment of delicious preserves prepared by the women of the “Uzdim” association, incredibly beautiful knitted handicrafts, doll-making workshops for talismans and greeting-card applications in the vytsinanka technique, and a photo corner meant that every visitor could find something to do.

The festival was opened with greetings by Irēna Kalamažņikova, Deputy Chairwoman of the Daugavpils Latvian Society, who emphasised the long-standing friendly relations with the Belarusian diaspora. The theme of the city’s national cultural diversity was continued by Aleksejs Vasiļjevs, First Deputy Chair of the Daugavpils City Council, who stressed that the city’s multinational character is an asset rather than a problem, as many people in Latvia believe. Jeļena Lazareva, Chairwoman of the Union of Belarusians of Latvia, emphasised that the festival plays an important unifying role for the entire Belarusian diaspora in Latvia.

This year, the concert featured the Belarusian Cultural Centre’s creative groups: “Kupaļinka”, “Ļanok”, “Spadčina”, “Praļeski”, “Skārbnīca” and “Pauļinka”. As is traditional, “The Belarusian Fair in Daugavpils” featured amateur groups from Belarusian associations in Latvia: “Rjabinuška” from Preiļi, “Akoļica” from Dagda, soloist Diāna Dvoračak from Rēzekne, and “Zaviruha” from Jēkabpils. There were no guests from the ethnic homeland, but foreign guests included friends from the Lithuanian city of Visaginas—the Belarusian song ensemble “Svitanak”.

For the first time, the cultural forum expanded its geographical scope within the country, and Belarusian ensembles from Kurzeme came to the concert: “Mara” from Liepāja and “Žuravinka” from Ventspils. The appreciative audience, in turn, gave the guests from the seaside loud applause and did not let them leave the stage for a long time.

As is traditional, the festival concert concluded with the anthem “The Belarusian House”, a song by local authors—the poet Staņislavs Volodjko and composer Aleksandrs Rudzs.

Melodious and playful folk songs, original and fiery dances created an unforgettable, sparkling festive atmosphere. Žanna Romanovska, head of the BCC, warmly thanked the artists, guests and audience, thanks to whom the festival lives, develops and creates a positive image for our beloved city.

As members of the audience shared their impressions: “You gave us a wonderful concert, a small fair and lots of positive emotions!”