Today, April 28, the first stage of the cultural and patriotic festival "Minsk United" took place at the Belarusian National Technical University. This large-scale event brought together representatives of leading enterprises, organizations, and educational institutions of the Sovietsky District in Assembly Hall 11a of the academic building.
Before the main concert, creative activities began on the first and second floors. Guests were able to immerse themselves in the interactive space and appreciate the district's achievements. On the first floor, industrial and commercial enterprises showcased their achievements. Booths were prepared by the Minsk School Meals Factory, OJSC "TSUM Minsk," OJSC "AMKODOR" (the holding's management company), RUE "BELFARMATSIYA," and the holding's management company "Belarusian Cement Company."
Educational, museum, and youth projects unfolded on the floor above. Guests were treated to exhibitions from the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society and the Vladimir Mulyavin Museum, the Belkommunproekt RUP (Regional Unitary Enterprise) with a historical reconstruction of military uniforms, the Yanka Kupala Central Library, and the National Cadastral Agency. The A.K. Glebov Minsk State Art College, the N.A. Kedyshko Minsk State College of Crafts and Design, the Belarusian Women's Union (with a dedicated photo zone), and activists from the Belarusian Republican Youth Union also prepared their spaces.
Distinguished guests attended the event, including Alexandra Morozova, First Deputy Head of the Sovietsky District Administration of Minsk, and Alexander Lukyanov, Head of the Main Department for Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Minsk City Executive Committee. Ekaterina Luchina, Head of the Minsk City Executive Committee's Department of Culture, and Sergei Kharitonchik, Rector of the Belarusian National Technical University and Chairman of the Sovietsky District Branch of the Belarusian Party "Belaya Rus," joined the celebration. Members of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the Minsk City Council of Deputies, the leadership of the Sovietsky District Administration of Minsk, and the expert group preparing the gala concert also came to share in this important day.
The evening culminated with a rich musical program. The ceremonial portion opened with the inspiring composition "I Will Soar High" by the Belarusian National Technical University's Brass Band of Culture, directed by Pavel Krivokhizha. Then, the evening's hosts, Arina Kolesova and Dmitry Yurgevich, took the stage. Following the ceremonial introduction of the National Flag of the Republic of Belarus and the flag of the city of Minsk, the national anthem was played.
Alexandra Morozova addressed the festival participants and guests with a welcoming speech. In her speech, Alexandra expressed gratitude to the national and city leadership for the initiative to hold such a unifying marathon. She emphasized that the festival's greatest pride is its people, as it is not professional artists who perform on stage, but engineers, pharmacists, and industrial workers. The speaker emphasized that Belarusians are talented in everything and encouraged the participants of the exhibition to also try their hand at performing arts next year.
After the official opening, a veritable extravaganza of talent took over the stage. Teacher Luiza Barnatovich, along with the "Samovyrazhenie" studio from the Svetoch Center, performed a touching performance of "Zhurauli na Pelessi Lyatsyats'," while Natalia Kudryavets, a specialist at the National Cadastral Agency, delighted the audience with a folk song, a number enhanced by a magnificent backup dancer in blue and white costumes. The theme of love for one's native land was continued by Irina Myshkovskaya, a student at L. P. Aleksandrovskaya Children's Music School of the Arts No. 1, with the song "Chystaya Yak Slyaza," and the "Tance Serpentine" ensemble from the Territorial Center for Social Services, with a choreographic number called "Belarus of May." Victoria Prokopchik, an engineer at the District Housing and Communal Services Enterprise, was remembered for her incredibly powerful and beautiful vocals. Representatives of Gazprom Transgaz Belarus OJSC added a touch of excitement to the program with the song "I'm Going to the Bliny," performed by the ensemble "Starye Druzhchi." The charismatic lead singer and the on-screen music video made this performance truly vibrant and spectacular.
Natalia Dergach, Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, shared her impressions from the stage. Natalia Sergeevna emphasized the importance of preserving family traditions and the bonds between generations for which the Sovietsky District is so famous. She also paid special attention to the role of women in modern society, recalling that this year has been declared the Year of the Belarusian Woman. Addressing the young people in the audience, she emphasized that the future of a strong and prosperous country depends on their creative work and unity.
The concert's tone then shifted to a poignant one dedicated to war memory. When the ensemble of teachers from the L. P. Aleksandrovskaya Music School performed the legendary "Cranes," the audience rose to their feet in unison to pay tribute to the heroes. Sergey Bliznyukevich, a process engineer at Gazprom Transgaz Belarus, delivered a moving reading of the poem "Zhenya Filipchyk," as if he had lived the story himself on stage. During the heavy and profound "Ballad of the Mother," performed by his colleague Marina Abakunchik, the audience rose again. The vocal trio "Energy of Life," from the Energosbyt branch of RUE Minskenergo, sang heartfelt songs about the month of May, and Marina Gerasimuk, an English teacher at Gymnasium No. 15, sang "Pobedennaya."
Sergey Kharitonchik once again brought the audience to their feet. Sergey Vasilyevich admitted that he sincerely admired the talents of his colleagues from various organizations in the district. He thanked the city's leadership for choosing BNTU as the venue for such a significant event, noting the symbolism of this decision in the year Minsk is designated as the youth capital. The rector reiterated that in today's reality, social unity and cohesion are the key to peace and national prosperity.
Igor Malashenko, a BNTU graduate and design engineer at Zapadelektrosetstroy, took up the baton with his song "Zhurauli." The concert's final section filled the hall with pride for the modern country. Real estate agent Yulia Volodina performed a cover of "Matukhna Zemlya," while Olga Medvedeva and Elena Fedchenko, employees of the Belarusian State University of Radio Engineering, sang about "The Heart of My Land." Artists from the "Voice Therapy" vocal studio at the Minsk Radiotechnical College appeared before the audience dressed in outfits symbolizing the colors of the Belarusian flag and performed a composition about the independent homeland. Olga Trefilova and Evgeny Andritsa, specialists at Gazprom Transgaz Belarus, literally electrified the entire hall with their original song "Belarus — My Love."
The large-scale celebration concluded with a powerful chord from the Kamerans vocal group at BSUIR. All the concert participants took the stage to a favorite song about Minsk. The finale was incredibly atmospheric—the audience applauded the artists nonstop.
Very soon, the best of them will represent the Sovietsky District at the grand citywide finale, and we sincerely wish all the participants new victories and endless creative inspiration!
