OREANDA-NEWS. July 11, 2008. Due to the international arts festival Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk, this city is turning into a cultural centre of Europe, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Alexander Avdeev told a press conference on July 11.

According to him, the success of the festival secured Belarus a prominent place in the cultural life of Europe. The participation in Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk is very prestigious, this is why artistes do their utmost to take part in this festival.