Belarusian State Folk Music Ensemble «Holiday» – 40!

The first professional folklore ensemble in Belarus, which began to revive the folk musical heritage, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The ensemble was created at the Belarusian State Philharmonic on October 19, 1984. The ensemble's concert program was based on the musical folklore of the Belarusian Polesie - a treasure house of the spiritual culture of the Western Slavs. Songs, recorded directly by folk musicians and performed on old and traditional instruments with preservation of the manner and features of sound, became familiar and understandable not only to Belarusians.

The combination of music and dance made it possible to create bright concert programs, which are received with great success both in the homeland and far beyond its borders. The «Holiday» ensemble has repeatedly participated in international art festivals, performed concerts in Azerbaijan, Austria, Hungary, Venezuela, Great Britain, Germany, India, Italy, Canada, Korea, China, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, France, Estonia, Ethiopia, and was awarded with diplomas and prizes. During its existence, the ensemble gave more than 20,000 concerts.

Active concert activity continues in the homeland: every year the ensemble gives about 65 concerts, including those for charity. It actively participates in national events, as well as concerts dedicated to holidays.

At one time, Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Vasyl Kuprianenko (creator of the ensemble), People's Artist of Belarus Yakov Navumenko, Honored Cultural Activist of the Republic of Belarus Mykola Dudchenko, producer, folklorist Mykola Kotau, soloists Mikhail Patsuk, Natalya Bratslovskaya, ballet dancers Valery Larionov, Marina and Mikalai Dropeza, dancer and drummer Andrey Makhanek, author of the song «Charka na pasashok» Alexander Bolotnik and others worked in the Belarusian State Folk Music Ensemble «Holiday».

The ensemble group was awarded the Certificate of Honor of the «BRSM» for a great contribution to the education of creative youth (2004), the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus (2004), the Certificate of Honor of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for merits in the implementation of the social policy of the Republic of Belarus, significant contribution to the development of national culture and many years of activity in the promotion of Belarusian folk art (2011), an honorary certificate of the Minsk City Executive Committee for many years of fruitful activity in the promotion and popularization of Belarusian folk art and outstanding creative achievements (2019), an honorary certificate of the Trade Union of Culture, Sports and Information Workers (2019).

On December 31, 2019, the Belarusian State Folk Music Ensemble «Holiday» was awarded the honorary title «Honored Group of the Republic of Belarus».

The team consists of 23 people. The artistic director is Vyacheslav Statkevich (winner of the Franziska Skaryna medal).

Currently, the repertoire of the ensemble includes many concert programs, which include a synthesis of various genres of art. In the framework of one concert, you can hear Belarusian folk and author's songs, favorite hits in original version, and see excellent dance performances with elements of the embodiment of Belarusian national traditions.

According to the materials of the Belarusian State Philharmonic

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