Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus

On July 11, the republican festival "Kupalle" ("Alexandria Gathers Friends") was held for the 17th time in the agrotown of Alexandria on the banks of the Dnieper. The hospitality of the Belarusian soul, the interweaving of traditions and modern culture, new locations and solutions – all this gives the festival its own special atmosphere, which over the years has been loved by tens of thousands of people. For the guests of the festival, the organizers prepared themed venues, concert and entertainment programs, competitions featuring creative groups and folk theatres from the Mogilev region, and performances by the best masters of arts from all regions of the Republic of Belarus. The central event of the "Kupalle" festival was the concert "Alexandria — Love at First Sight".

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko arrived at the republican festival to join the grand celebration and attend the concert.

The President noted that this year's "Kupalle" festival in Alexandria is already being held for the 17th time. However, there is also a sad note to this – another year has passed. Last time, 115 thousand people visited Alexandria over two days. The President is confident that this year's "Kupalle" in Alexandria will attract even more people. Especially since the weather is favourable for participants and guests of the festival, despite the rains that have passed in several regions of Belarus.

"The Lord gave us wonderful weather in between the rains. So the term 'if the weather does not let us down' no longer suits us. The weather will be fine," the Head of State noted.

This year, delegations from Chuvashia, Kurgan, Rostov and Kemerovo regions came to participate in the festival on the banks of the Dnieper for the first time. "As you can see, 4 thousand km or even more is not a distance when it comes to true friendship," Alexander Lukashenko noted. He welcomed the Russians who came to Alexandria and thanked them for participating in the "Kupalle" festival.

"I know, albeit not many, but there are also Ukrainians here. We, to be honest, would like there to be more of them. And I am convinced, I am sure that if we do not forget about this festival, soon there will be a huge number of our Ukrainians here who would be very happy to visit this festival," Alexander Lukashenko said.

At the same time, receiving such a number of guests, entertaining them and feeding them is no easy task, which the Head of State also drew attention to.

"But the most important thing about the festival is to give these people a sense of home. I am sure that everyone will take away wonderful impressions from Alexandria. I am very grateful to you for your attention and hospitality. The warm welcome that Belarusians give to our guests here encourages people to come back again and again. In Alexandria, we welcome everyone: adults, young people, and children," he assured.

"Kupalle is one of the most folk festivals. Rituals, songs, crafts are the foundation of our cultural code, the key to understanding ourselves. By preserving them, we realize that we are not just people living on one territory, but a people and a nation. We get an answer to important questions: who I am and what kind of family I come from," said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President noted that the first national poet of Belarus, Ivan Lutsevich, who was born on a magical July night and took the symbolic pseudonym Yanka Kupala, reflected deeply on this.

"Kupalle is a dialogue through the depths of centuries, a conversation with those who came before us. Who preserved and passed on to the next generations everything most valuable: love for their land, the desire for peace, spiritual generosity and hard work," he emphasized.

The Head of State noted that Kupalle is also a family holiday. Many of those who came to the first festivals with their parents have now brought their own children.

"I am especially pleased to see very young viewers. It is here, in Alexandria, that we award the winners of the family project 'Lord of the Village'. It is a great joy to see beautiful young couples who want to live and work in the countryside, raise children, and from an early age teach them to work on the land. And the state will do everything to involve young people in rural life. Without the village, our Slavic states cannot exist," the President is confident.

"We celebrate Kupalle in the Year of the Belarusian Woman. It is no coincidence that the symbol of the holiday is the Kupala Bereginya. Our ancestors believed that she protects crops and fills herbs with life-giving power, guards the family hearth, and takes care of children and mothers," said Alexander Lukashenko.

"I wish that our whole world, so fragile as we see it, would be enveloped in her veil, so that love and prosperity would reign in every family. So that in a year we would meet again here, in Alexandria. And together set off on a new journey to the soul of the Slavic people – a mysterious soul, but invariably broad, sincere and merciful," the President added.

The Head of State wished everyone a wonderful evening, pleasant impressions and gentle warmth that will warm them until the next Kupalle.

The event took place in the format of a folk show with elements of a musical and interactive performance, featuring nationally beloved songs about women and love. The concert ended with a festive fireworks display and the lighting of the Kupala bonfire.

Information from the Official Website of the President of the Republic of Belarus and open Internet sources.