1 June, Minsk /Tatsiana Pastushenka - BELTA/. The XIX International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", to be held from July 9-15, will retain its traditional structure. This was announced today at a press conference by Mikhail Kozlovich, Head of the Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "Many opinions were expressed regarding the format of this year's festival. Proposals were received for its radical change and for the preservation of the classical structure. As a result, the organizers opted for the traditional festival structure: seven days in duration, an opening concert and a closing concert, performances by artists from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, adult and children's song contests, as well as the usual film and theatre programs," said Mikhail Kozlovich. According to him, spectators can expect a spectacular opening of the festival, featuring solo concerts by Yuri Antonov and Elena Vaenga. The performance of Thomas Anders, ex-soloist of the band Modern Talking, is also planned. There will be no shortage of surprises: new festival projects will include a concert by the National Concert Orchestra under the direction of Mikhail Finberg with the participation of Raimonds Pauls and a night of Italian pop performers. As for the theatre program, it will include performances by troupes from Moscow and St. Petersburg, and an outdoor performance of Anton Chekhov's play "The Seagull" by the Republican Theatre of Belarusian Drama is planned by the organizers. In addition, this year it is planned to present a special award to the Belarusian state ensemble "Pesniary". This is why the theme of the Belarusian concert within the festival will echo the musical traditions laid down by Vladimir Muliavin. The Belarusian concert will feature, among other things, "Pesniary" compositions in modern arrangements by youth groups, and well-known ensembles such as "Khoroshki" and the Tsvitovich Choir will also perform. Mikhail Kozlovich reminded that the participants of the adult and children's song contests have already been determined. Denis Vershchenko, a soloist of the Gomel Regional Philharmonic, will represent Belarus at the IX International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2010". At the VIII International Children's Music Contest "Vitebsk-2010", the first prize will be contested by two young singers: Zlata Larchenko (11 years old), a soloist of the V. Muliavin National Centre for Musical Arts, and Anya Zaitseva (9 years old), a student of Minsk Secondary School No. 201.