Grodno Orthodox Eparchy wins church music festival in Hajnowka

The choir of the Grodno Orthodox Eparchy got the top prize of the 31st International Festival of Orthodox Church Music in Hajnowka (Poland), BelTA learnt from Consul General of Belarus in Bialystok Alexander Berebenya.

In his words, apart from this award, the male choir of the State Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus received a special prize.

The days of church music were first held in the Podlaskie Voivodship of Poland more than 30 years ago. This year the festival was held under the patronage of Polish President Bronislaw Komarowski and with the blessing of Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland Sawa. “The Polish Orthodox world is always looking forward to these days: sacred music for many believers is a symbol of culture and traditions, faith, love and peace. This forum is a rare opportunity for the Orthodox Poles to learn about the traditions of the Orthodox music on the European continent,” Alexander Berebenya said.

Every year the feast gathers dozens of choirs from across Europe – Croatia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Russia. Belarus is a permanent guest and an active participant of this great music forum in Eastern Poland.