Aleksandr Lukashenko: Slavianski Bazaar is a mirror of the history of sovereign Belarus

"The Slavianski Bazaar International Arts Festival in Vitebsk has always been more than a cultural event. It's like a mirror of our history. The history of not only sovereign Belarus, but the history of the whole world. And not only the cultural world". President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko made this statement at the opening ceremony of the XXXV International Arts Festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. During the ceremony, the Head of State traditionally presented well-deserved awards to cultural figures. This is a special award "Through art — towards peace and mutual understanding", the Union State awards in the field of literature and art. The President also presented the main award to the winner of the Vitebsk International Children's Music Competition. In total, representatives of 85 countries took part in the festival.