Vytoki festival in Soligorsk: Holiday for all

Soligorsk, the city of miners, played host to the cultural and sport festival Vytoki on 22-24 July.

The central square of Soligorsk became the venue of sports grounds and stalls selling products of the region’s major enterprises. The festival has already been to five cities of Belarus and has established itself as an important regional event.

The main event on Saturday was the Olympic quest. Many boys and girls took part in competitions to prove themselves in various sports and to win a valuable prize. Volunteers and the organizers could barely cope with the influx of novice athletes.

President of the Belarusian NOC Viktor Lukashenko highlighted the importance of the Vytoki project. “In Soligorsk, the Vytoki festival ends its journey across the regions of Belarus. We visited different places of our country and are yet to go only to Minsk. We can already say that the festival was a success. It has turned out to be a nice cozy event for the whole family. Next year we will definitely continue it,” Viktor Lukashenko said.

Minsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Turchin thanked Soligorsk residents for their active participation. According to him, the city of miners has always been one of the cultural and sports centers of Belarus.

“We are grateful to the organizers and the NOC of Belarus for choosing Soligorsk, a city in Minsk Oblast, as a venue for the festival. Soligorsk is like no other city. It is the region’s economic, cultural and sports hub. Such a significant event will make Soligorsk residents really happy,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

The Vytoki cultural and sport festival features 28 sites, and everyone can try themselves in a variety of sports and take part in competitions and contests, test their abilities in various sports and win valuable prizes.

Volleyball player Yaroslav came to the Olympic quest with a friend on the advice of his grandmother. “We are trying to take part in as many contests as possible, earn marks and win prizes. It is very interesting here. Even if you do not know anything, you will be told how to do this or that thing,” he said.

“We want to get a lot of positive emotions, have a great time at the festival. It is great that Soligorsk is hosting Vytoki. We have already heard about it, and know that everyone would enjoy such a festival,” said Milana.

The festival in Soligorsk summarized the results of the creative competitions. Sofia Grishan took first place among young artists. Second was Ekaterina Paramonova. Daria Avtukhovich and Fyodor Lebedev placed third. The People’s Choice Award went to Artyom Shumsky.

Competition of young vocalists was also a great success.

Oleg Larikov was victorious in the junior age group and Alyona Kostyukovich claimed victory in the senior age group. The two finalists will advance to the final of the contest that will bring together winners from all the regions of the country to Minsk. The winner of the Grand Prix will be announced in late August. He/she will record an original song arranged by composer Valery Shmat and will have an opportunity to work in a professional recording studio.

The leg of the festival in Soligorsk rounded off with a concert featuring popular Belarusian artists: Belarusy band, Janet, Valery Shmat, Gunesh, Zina Kupriyanovich, Viktoria Aleshko, Jazz City Band, ByCity, Alexander Voronishche and Drozdy band. The concert finished with a firework display.

The 2021 edition of the Vytoki festival will wrap up with a large-scale celebration in Minsk in late August.

The organizers of the Vytoki festival are the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, the Arthaos and BelBrandAudit companies.

Press service of the Belarusian NOC

Photos courtesy of BelTA, SB.BY