The promotion of folk arts and crafts

The Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Folk Arts, Folk crafts (handicrafts) in the Republic of Belarus" of July 9, 1999 defines the basic principles of state regulation and support for folk arts, folk crafts and trades. The Belarusian Union of Folk Artists unites over 600 best artisans from all regions of the country, presents all kinds of traditional crafts. The Union has organized and held a number of unique festivals (the Viasnovy Buket (Spring Bouquet) Republican Festival, the Kaliadnyja Ŭzory (Christmas ornamentation) Republican Crafts Fair, and others), financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus. Brest Region annually held Motalskija Prysmaki (Motal Treats) Food Festival organized by the Ivanаvа Executive Committee with the assistance of the European Centre for eco- and agro-tourism (ESEAT) and the Country Escape, the Belarusian Association of Rural and Ecotourism. Since 2012, the Traditional Culture As a Strategic Resource for Sustainable Development of the Society International Forum has been held annually (Mahilioŭ). In 2012 the Safeguarding Traditions and Developing New Types of Handicrafts in the Current Conditions for Formation of the National Culture International Seminar took place (Hancevichy and Pinsk, Brest Region.). Works by famous designers and manufacturers, who specialize in collections with national motifs, were presented at the annual Ethno Style Festival, which was held in the National School of Beauty. Between 2011 and 2015, over 42 thousand folk festivals and ceremonies, more than 40 thousand exhibitions of folk arts and crafts were arranged annually. Since 2015, international and national events are held in accordance with the approved list of festivals, competitions, forums, celebrations and plein-airs, which are funded from the national and/or local budgets approved by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on April 2, 2015, No 263.