A delegation from the Penza Oblast took part in one of the largest cultural events — the Kupalye national festival, which was held July 11–12 in the agro-town of Aleksandria in the Shklov District of the Mogilev Region.
The event was held for the 17th time in the home area of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko. The event’s motto is “Aleksandria Gathers Friends.”
The regional delegation was headed by Oleg Denisov, head of the city of Penza. The region was represented at the international forum by masters of folk arts. Galina Mikhotina, a teacher at the Raspisnye Zori model studio of the Yu. E. Yanichkin School for the Development of Children’s Creativity, introduced guests to traditional artistic crafts. Alena Sherkutova, a master of decorative painting, displayed works featuring the region’s landmark sites, and Anna Plyasunova, head of the tourism development department of the V. G. Belinsky Central Park of Culture and Recreation, spoke about the sights of the city and the region.
The organizers noted that the main idea of this year’s festival was the unity of people around a shared history, cultural codes, and moral values, as well as the strengthening of statehood and sovereignty. This concept was reflected in the artistic design and the work of the themed zones.
For the first time, the forum featured areas dedicated to the Year of the Belarusian Woman, where guests could learn about outstanding Belarusian women and their contributions to science, culture, and industry. Another new location was devoted to the theme of developing national tourism: travelers were presented with promising routes across Belarus, eco-trails, and authentic country estates. Other new features included a cheese festival that attracted the attention of gourmets.
The program was designed with the interests of a wide range of audiences in mind: interactive activities for the whole family, youth zones, and routes for tourists. Toward evening, the sky over the Dnepr was lit up by the traditional Kupalye bonfire, symbolizing the flourishing of nature and purification.
“The scale of the festival is underscored by the fact that it was attended by the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, emphasized Oleg Denisov. The event was a vivid demonstration of the unity of fraternal peoples, respect for traditions, and the preservation of cultural heritage.”
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Penza Oblast
Penza Delegation Took Part in the Kupalye National Festival in Belarus
