XXV International Festival of East Slavic Carols – 2020

25 It is now a quarter of a century since the land of Terespol has hosted hundreds, even thousands of carolers from all over Europe and even the world, as well as no less large audiences, to unite in a common Christmas carol. The same was true in 2020: on the last weekend of January, choirs and carol bands from four countries came to Terespol: Poland, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. Nearly 600 performers presented themselves on stage, admired by a large audience.

Currently, the performing choirs present the highest artistic level, but its greatest merit is to restore memory and cultivate the East Slavic caroling rites. It is here that intergenerational dialogue takes place, where the younger ones, listening to the elders, carry this centuries-old tradition into the next generations. The festival reminds us that this region of our country, as one of the few, was steeped in multi-faith and multi-national atmosphere. We hope that twenty-five years of festival tradition have made us aware of each other; opened our hearts and minds to the other who is our neighbor…

This year, 25th International Festival of East Slavic Carols in Terespol was the Jubilee edition. The Competition Chapter selected a total of 24 performers who were invited to present their performances during festival auditions on 25 and 26 January 2020.

On the first day before the Terespol audience, Christmas hymns and carols were presented by the following artists: choir “Volhynian Bells” of the Orthodox Parish of All Volhynian Saints from Lutsk (Ukraine), Folk Band “Dikoje Pole” of Cultural Center “Zelenograd” from Zielenograd (Russia), Song and Music Band “Szczodryca” of Minsk Palace of Culture from Minsk (Belarus), the Band “YuMaVita Bandura Trio” of Lviv Music Academy from Lviv (Ukraine), Youth Choir of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene from Warsaw (Poland) , Chamber Choir “My Dirizory” of Children’s Art School No. 4 from Minsk (Belarus), Folk Band “Amber” of Kobrin Palace of Culture in Kobrin (Belarus), Girls’ Choir “Lira” from Lviv Ivan Franko university from Lviv (Ukraine), Children’s and Youth Choir “Wstrecza” of the Orthodox Parish of Icon of Most Holy Theotokos Joy of All Who Sorrow Minsk (Belarus), Bandurist’s Band “Zorianycia” of Lviv Ivan Franko University (Ukraine), Chamber Choir “Cappella Musicae Antiquae Orientalis” from Poznan (Poland).

On the second day of auditions, the following choirs presented on the stage: the Choir of the Orthodox Parish of The Covering Veil of Mary the Thetokos of Sławatycz (Poland), the Vocal Band “Oksamit” of the Orthodox Parish of St. Mary Magdalene of Lutsk (Ukraine), the Accordion Band “Kartuzane” of Children’s Art School of Bereza (Belarus), Vocal Band “RECHA” of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Archangel Michael of Mozyrz (Belarus), Choir “Future” of the Roman Catholic parish of Transfiguration of the Lord from Nowaya Mysh (Belarus) , Chamber Choir “Krystynopol” of the House of Culture from Chervonohrad (Ukraine), Choir “Sofia” of the Palace of Children and Young People Creativity from Wsiewolozska (Russia), Choral Chaplain of the Belarusian National Technical University of Minsk (Belarus), The Orthodox Choir of Lublin-Chełm Diocese “Orthodox Nadbuzanszczyna”.

The International Festival of East Slavic Carols is a unique meeting, during which all participants – through performances – praise the Newborn Christ, thus continuing the beautiful East Slavic tradition of caroling. The enhanced emotional experience of the performances is facilitated by the aesthetic qualities of the Festival: beautiful costumes of performers, characteristic of the region of the ensemble’s origin, as well as a richly decorated stage, on which artists present themselves. The co-organizers and guests agree that the International Festival of East Slavic Carols uniquely unites those coming to Terespol, regardless of religion or beliefs.