january 2009

The end of December — the beginning of January

Holiday Christmas and New Year events (1)

Traditional street festivities near New Year trees, concerts, fireworks, sport events, morning performances for children.

Venue: open air stages, stadiums, parks of Minsk city and of other inhabited localities in Belarus.

Organized by: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, City and Regional Executive Committees

Tel.: +37517203-73-63

January 3-7

Fifth Christmas International Tournament of Hockey Lovers for Prizes of the President of the Republic of Belarus (8)

The participants are teams from Belarus, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, USA, and other countries.

Venue: Minsk city, Palace of Sport, Ice Palace on Pritytskogo Street.

Organized by: Ministry of Sport and Tourism, Minsk City Executive Committee, Hokey Federation of the RB and RGOO “Presidential Sports Club”

January 13

Old New Year (7)

According to the national tradition people celebrate New Year under old stile from 13 to 14 January. Folk name of this holiday is “Shchedrets”, “Shchodry vecher” or “Carol”. People disguise themselves as animals, imitate fantastic creatures, walk from one yard to another, from one house to another singing carols and collecting gifts from their owners.

January 24-25 (January 31-February 1)

Rally-Raid “Winter Forest-2009” (4)

The participants are more than 40 jeep-crews from Belarus and Russia. The sportsmen overcome the high-speed winter track of about 40 kilometers.

Venue: Minsk region

Organized by: Belarusian Off-Road Vehicle Association

Tel. +375 29664-44-46

ÕÕ International Festival of Classical Music “January Music Nights” (6)

The annual holiday gathers the leading artistic teams of Belarus, Hungary, China, Spain, Croatia, Holland, Russia. More that 350 professional musicians from 15 countries will take part in the anniversary festival.

Venue: Brest city

Organized by: Ministry of Culture, Brest Regional Executive Committee

Tel.: +375 17203-73-63, + 375 162 23-60-49

Musical project “Minsky Jazz-2009” (6)

Inflammatory show from the best metropolitan jazzmen.

Venue: Minsk city

Organized by: Culture Administration of Minsk City Executive Committee