The festival has been running since 1992 and takes place in July every year. Vitebsk is the perfect host city — it is an ancient, beautiful city on the River Dvina, full of old churches and colourful buildings. Marc Chagall, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, was born in Vitebsk, and the city is proud of its artistic history.
The centrepiece of the festival is an outdoor concert hall called the Summer Amphitheatre, which can hold tens of thousands of people. At night, with the stage lit up in brilliant colours and the crowd singing along, it is an unforgettable sight. During the day, the streets of Vitebsk fill with smaller performances, crafts markets, and street food stalls.
Children have their own special part in Slavianski Bazaar — there is a separate competition just for young singers from around the world. Young performers prepare for months, then step out in front of a huge audience. It is a wonderful and nerve-wracking experience that many participants say changed their lives.
As well as singing competitions, the festival has art exhibitions, folk craft demonstrations, and workshops where visitors can try traditional Belarusian music and dance. It is a true celebration of culture — not just Belarusian culture, but the cultures of all the countries that come to join in.