The Soviet Army Culture and Recreation Complex

1, Mazurinskaya Street, Vitebsk

The history of the Culture and Recreation Complex named after the Soviet Army started in 1956. Thanks to the efforts of the Vitebsk garrison troopers, amazing alleys of oaks, birches, pines, acacias, lilacs and willows were planted in the park complex, on the site of the former suburban village of Mazurino. The city residents volunteered to improve and embellish the territory. The official opening of the Mazurino park took place on 24 June 1962. After 1976, the park was renamed as the Soviet Army Park.

In 2007, the Soviet Army Park became a structural unit of the State Institution “Centre of Culture “Vitebsk”.

The total area of the park is 44.7 hectares. The central and southern alleys (1.5 km each) run along the Western Dvina River. The northern alley connects the park with the pine woods.

The park provides amusement and leisure-time facilities, outdoor sporting equipment.

The renovation of the outdoor stage has been performed within the international technical assistance project “Daugavpils and Vitebsk: Cultural Cooperation and Development” within Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus Cross Border Cooperation Programme within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. The donor of the Programme is the European Union.

Since 2011, the Culture and Recreation Complex has been inviting the city residents, participants and guests to enjoy one of the most touching festival ceremonies – the drawing lots to determine the performance order on stage for the participants of the International Children Music Contest.

The first meeting of the contestants with those who join them on stage and with the jury members takes place in a fabulous fairy-tale atmosphere including games and amusement rides.