The Belarusian National Center for Contemporary Art has designed a unique concept of the international exhibition project “European Games - European Art” which will combine exhibition and education programs, head of the center Sergei Krishtapovich said at a press conference on 11 March.

“The concept of synthesis of sport and art will be a large-scale event. Art and sport have historically played the uniting role in the society: legendary truces during the Olympic Games, which the ancient Greeks called Ekecheiria, the masterpieces by great artists, and many more. Both art and sport change the society and people,” Sergei Krishtapovich believes.

The project aims to promote Belarus' positive image at the international level, to introduce participants and guests of the European Games to modern Belarusian art and to the latest trends of European arts of photography, poster and painting, video, multimedia projects.

The project “European Games –European Art” will kick off with the exhibition of modern Belarusian art in Belarus' regions to promote the European Games along the itinerary of the Flame of Peace torch relay. The exposition titled “Kazimir Malevich and the 21st Century” will feature works of Belarusian artists who follow his tradition and philosophy. The exhibition “Sport is High Art” will run on 6-30 June and demonstrate archive photos and modern photo projects, posters, videos, sculptures, documents related to performance art practices which study the theme of sport in the broad cultural, historical, and social context.

“We will also set up discussion forums, round tables, lectures and workshops. For example, we plan to organize the round table “Kazimir Malevich – Belarusian Origins of Suprematism” with the presentation of the book by Professor Igor Malevich. We hope that our project “European Games – European Art” will be appreciated by Minsk residents and guests,” Sergei Krishtapovich added.

Applications for the project will stay open till 22 April. The deadline for works of art will close on 15 May. The project is organized by the National Center for Contemporary Art, the Belarusian Union of Artists and the Belarusian Union of Designers supported by the Culture Ministry of Belarus.