Vytoki festival: A celebration of sport, life and music

The sports and cultural festival “Vytoki. A Step Towards the Olympus” has wrapped up in Kostyukovichi. During the festival this characterful town in Mogilev Oblast welcomed heads of central and regional organizations, athletes and coaches, famous artists.

The festival in Kostyukovichi started long before the Olympic quest. Artisans and the region’s famous enterprises showcased their products.

On the second day of the festival President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko and Mogilev Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko visited sports facilities. The fitness center of Kostyukovichi is rightfully considered one of the best among similar facilities in other district capitals of Belarus, and visitors to the festival could see this with their own eyes. The center is located in the neighborhood with a big youth population and is quite in demand among the locals.

The spectacular opening ceremony of the festival began with the presentation of a Br100,000 certificate for the development of sport in Kostyukovichi District.

During the presentation of the certificate President of the National Olympic Committee Viktor Lukashenko addressed the participants of the festival: “I would like the heat of this day to fire you up, and I want you to have the time of your life here, enjoying yourselves, learning something new, recharging your batteries. I would like to wish the children to make the most of the festival. Unfortunately, the summer is coming to an end, school will begin soon, so get the most out of this festival - visit the festival sites, try your hand at various sports and choose the one you like the most, or make sure once again that the sport you have chosen is perfect for you.” 

“For the third year the Vytoki festival is traveling around the country. It has already become our national brand. Each region would like to host this event,” Mogilev Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko said. “This year Kostyukovichi is playing host to Vytoki. Kostyukovichi has remarkable history and traditions, at the same time it is a modern town where many sports facilities are under construction. One of the goals of the festival is promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Anatoly Isachenko.

“We, Belarusians, are a peace-loving, hospitable and friendly nation. The festival brings people together, it has something to offer to people of different generations. Vytoki seeks to highlight and celebrate our cultural heritage that should be preserved for future generations,” Director of ArtHaos Gallery Lilia Lukashenko said.

Famous athletes gladly accept invitations to visit the sports and cultural festival and take part in the Olympic quest and share their expertise and knowledge.

“I enjoy visiting new places. It is a nice town, I have seen a stork nearby. It is great that Vytoki is being held here, we really need to encourage young people to take up sports. The main thing is to get parents interested, a lot depends on a family, it is not for nothing that this is a family festival,” said head coach of the national team Victoria Chaika.

“Kostyukovichi is located on the fringe of the country and even the region, so it was a great idea to hold the festival here. Today we have a large number of participants from small towns. More than 2,500 young people have already tried themselves in various sports, and I am sure that the festival in Kostyukovichi will be a great success,” said Sergei Novikov, Olympic silver medalist in biathlon.

“A lot is being done to promote sports in small towns. Children have the opportunity to try various sports, to lift a barbell, for example. When I started my sports career in 1999, there were no such festivals. Now the younger generation has a huge number of disciplines to choose from,” said Olympic silver medalist in weightlifting Vadzim Straltsou.

In addition to sports locations, visitors to the festival can see the best of companies of Mogilev Oblast, and products of local artisans.

“We first visited Vytoki when it was held in Bobruisk. Now we come not only with our teammates, but we also bring family members and friends with us so that they can try various sports. We were lucky that Mogilev also played host to the 2nd CIS Games. Our company always supports Belarusian athletes. We are really good at making dairy products, while our famous athletes can teach children how to play sports. Thank you very much for the invitation,” said Svetlana Stashevskaya, Deputy Director General of the Babushkina Krynka company.

“I often take part in various events, this year I have traveled with my instruments even to Ufa. Although Vytoki is primarily about sports, it is also a great opportunity for artisans to showcase their products and skills. For example, this weaving loom from Belynkovichi is more than 100 years old, I love to use it during master classes,” said artisan Valentina Volkova.

The final of the regional leg of the new intellectual and educational project “Vytoki. Quiz” was held in Kostyukovichi Teams from each district of Mogilev Oblast took part in the quiz.

The entertainment program on the evening of 19 August continued with a show of apparel collections by Belarusian manufacturers, designers and entrepreneurs (Rodnaye-Modnaye).

The festival also featured a vocal competition. The winners will receive diplomas and prizes, as well as take part in master classes by the country’s leading mentors.

The evening gala concert starring popular Belarusian pop artists gathered an impressive audience. The festival wrapped up with spectacular fireworks and a disco.

The sports and cultural festival Vytoki will travel to Borisov where it will be held on 25-26 August in 2023.