Vytoki in Glubokoye: Cozy and sporty

The sports and cultural festival "Vytoki. A Step Towards the Olympus” wrapped in the town of Glubokoye, dubbed as the cherry capital of Belarus.

The small district center of Vitebsk Oblast became a place of attraction for sports enthusiasts and lovers of Belarusian culture from all over Vitebsk Oblast and metropolitan regions. People flocked to Glubokoye for prizes, "malyavankas" and excellent impressions.

On the second day of the festival, the senior officials of the NOC of Belarus, the Sport and Tourism Ministry and the Vitebsk regional administration inspected the sports infrastructure of the region and visited the Vitebsk regional children’s sports of Olympic reserve in weightlifting and boxing, and the city sports and recreation center.

Next on the program were the visits to the Square of Famous Countrymen and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a historical and cultural heritage site).

An Olympic race took place before the opening ceremony of Vytoki.

During the opening ceremony, President of the Belarusian NOC Viktor Lukashenko handed over a certificate for Br100,000 to the Glubokoye District Executive Committee for the development of sports infrastructure in the district.

As the NOC president noted, the host city of the family cultural and sports festival is very beautiful and can rightly be called one of the ‘gems’ of Vitebsk Oblast. He recommended that young people try their hand in every sport, visit as many sites as possible and choose a suitable discipline for themselves. "Maybe someday, in 10, 15, or 20 years, standing on a high pedestal, you will remember that you started your sports career with Vytoki," Viktor Lukashenko said.

Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko attended the festival for the first time and named the secret behind the success of the festival:

“The concept suggested by the National Olympic Committee is working. The festival highlights both sport and culture and celebrates the local heritage,” Roman Golovchenko said. “Belarusians is a sports nation: more than a quarter of the population regularly goes in for sports. The regions are the main source of talents for elite sports.

Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko noted that Vitebsk Oblast has vast experience in holding festivals, and Vytoki is very important for the younger generation.

“Vytoki is a family event, an event for our youth. We have multiple reasons to be proud of our young people: their successes in the academic field, sports and career, yet their biggest achievements are still ahead.”

“A lot is being done in the district capitals of Vitebsk Oblast to make sports and physical culture accessible to the younger generation,” Vitebsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Subbotin said.

One of the highlights of the festival was the Olympic quest. High jumper Maksim Nedasekau noted that boys and girls were eager to take part in the challenge. Genuine emotions, excellent sports venues and gifts - that was what drew people to the Vytoki festival in Glubokoye.

The head coach of the national shooting team Viktoria Chaika noted that the festival is a great event for children:

“During the Olympic quest in Glubokoye, I even spotted a couple of potential newcomers. This is a much-needed and useful event that brings together young hopefuls.”

The famous Belarusian alpine skier Maria Shkanova was involved in an unusual role in Glubokoye and helped... biathletes.

“I was asked to help at Vytoki, I agreed and I am very glad that I came here: great weather, amazing quest and a wonderful atmosphere.

Winners of the Vytoki Quiz from Vitebsk Oblast were determined in Glubokoye. The two best teams clashed in an additional round.

The first place went to the Chervyachki team from Postavy Gymnasium, Postavy District.

Arts and crafts have already become part and parcel of the festival. Svetlana Skovyrko has been making painted rugs for many years. At the festival she shared the secrets of creating such amazing items. This type of applied art is well known to the festival participants from the second season of Vytoki.

The entertainment program of the festival continued with the presentation of the Rodnae-Modnae clothing collections of Belarusian companies, designers and entrepreneurs. The fashion show was followed by a junior song contest.

Andrei Kot from Orsha became the winner of the contest.

Laureates received diplomas and prizes and were invited to take part in master classes by the country’s leading singing teachers.

The festival wrapped up with an evening gala concert featuring popular Belarusian artists.

At the end of the concert in Glubokoye the leader of the Drozdy music band thanked the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus for organizing such an event. He noted that thanks to the efforts of the president, Belarusians live a peaceful life and can safely raise their children.

The festival wrapped up with a spectacular display of fireworks and a disco.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus

Photos by the NOC of Belarus