OREANDA-NEWS. November 19, 2008. The participants of the 10th International Theatre Art Festival Slavonic Theatre Meetings gathered in the Slavonic Universal Library of Gomel on November 19. The guests were received by Chairman of the Oblast Council of Deputies Valery Selitski.

The art figures got familiar with the historical, cultural and economic potential of the Gomel oblast. Valery Selitski turned the attention of the participants to the importance of holding such a forum in Gomel. “Any exchanging between the nations and countries is always useful. Slavonic Theatre Meetings promote expansion of the outlook, mutual enriching of cultures,” the Chairman of the Oblast Council of Deputies said.

This year the Slavonic Theatre Meetings are held at a high level. “The geography of the forum shows its true level. This year the forum has gathered 19 theatres from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Moldova,” she said.

According to her, the major criteria in the assessment of the works will be, first of all, producer and actor professionalism. As the festival is Slavonic, such features peculiar to the Slavonic people as humanism, kindness and friendliness should also present.

Gomel is hosting the Slavonic Theatre Meetings from November 18 to 23. The theatre companies will perform over 20 plays at the three stages of Gomel: in the oblast drama theatre, the state puppet theatre and the experimental youth theatre studio. The winners will be defined in several nominations: the best actor and actress, the debut and others.