Lukashenko draws attention to presence of SCO artists at Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk

A number of collectives from countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are present during the opening ceremony of the international art festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement during the festival’s opening ceremony.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed: “The Slavonic soul has no boundaries. It is open to the entire world. This is why our festival went beyond geographical limits of the Slavonic brotherhood a long time ago.”

This forum has gathered like-minded people from about 40 countries, including Russia, India, China, and Colombia.

“Today we welcome culture ministers and art collectives from countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the first time. It is now our organization, too. It is a significant event in the country’s life. We’ve joined the community of countries future belongs to. The future of development of humanity on principles of equality, respect, and creation. At least that’s the spirit that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is full of today,” the president said.

The program of the current festival includes a day of national cultures of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries. “May it become a symbolic beginning of our joint journey towards common goals. The goals that unite more than half of the planet’s population: the people, to whom the philosophy of our festival is close and understandable. In it is the key to peace and mutual understanding. People of art, talented people give the key to us,” the Belarusian leader said.