2017
From Heart To Heart Festival is a cultural and educational project launched by St Elisabeth Convent in 2015 with the blessing of The Right Reverend Pavel, Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. It is organized annually in different European cities with the purpose of showing the beauty and richness of Orthodox culture and Slavic folk traditions. It is also aimed at strengthening ties among Christians. The programme of the Festival, designed to take four days in each city, features various cultural and enlightening. Highlights of the Festival: Concerts and theatrical performances Presentations of St Elisabeth Convent F i l m s h o w s a n d p h o t o exhibitions Workshop sessions by the Convent craftspeople A d i v e r s e c u l t u r a l a n d entertaining programme for children All Festival events are open to the public
SECTIONS OF THE FESTIVAL VIENNA BERLIN LONDON DUBLIN BELGRAD MINSK Presentations of St Elisabeth Convent include photo exhibitions, film shows and talks focused on the life and ministry of Holy Martyr Grand Princess Elisabeth, as well as the history of St Elisabeth Convent and its social outreach projects in modern world. C o n c e r t s o f t h e Monastic Choir of St E l i s a b e t h C o n v e n t provide an insight into the singing traditions of the Russian Church based on the unity of prayer, life, and worship. The concerts consist of two parts, with liturgical chants in part one; folklore and pilgrim's songs in part two. All Festival events are open to the public
SECTIONS OF THE FESTIVAL Icon Painting Workshop Sessions Visitors get a chance to meet the convent craftspeople and learn about the history and the basic techniques of painting icons with tempera or with ground minerals and semiprecious stones. Children's Programme and the Batleika puppet show The lively, versatile programme prepared specially for children includes the Belarusian Hut Exposition and straw-plaiting workshop sessions. The young visitors can watch plays staged by Batleika Folk Puppet Theatre, enjoy animated films produced by the Studio in honour of St John the Warrior and participate in a creative works competition.
SECTIONS OF THE FESTIVAL *There is a small introductory performance before the one-hour play. Please see the schedule for show dates and time. «The Little Prince» performance The JOY theatre is the first in Minsk with over ten years of experience bringing professional actors and people with mental disabilities together on stage. Over 15 shows have been put up by the inclusive troupe formed by residents of boarding homes for mentally and physically challenged children and adults under command of their irreplaceable leader Alexander Zhdanovich, an actor known to children nationwide for his appearances in the Kalyhanka daily children s TV show. «The Little Prince» was the company s first play to become widely exposed to the public. It is not just a new version of a known book made with the effort of mentally challenged children it is a chance to look at the world from a new angle. Sisters of the Convent often participate in performances as well. The story told by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a fairytale dedicated to a friend who understands everything and one of the most widely read books in the world. Children who will never grow up invite you to their theater and look forward to showing you their most important show.
A MONASTIC CRAFTS FAIR A monastic crafts fair is open throughout the entire festival featuring goods made with love and prayer in the icon painting and icon casing studios, ceramic, glass, sewing, stone and other workshops of St Elisabeth Convent. Spiritual and educational boo/ks and music albums published or released by the Convent are also on display. Festival guests are welcome to try the tasty treats offered by our phyto-cafe serving fresh pastries and delicious herbal teas prepared by the sisters. All proceeds go to charity From Heart To Heart Festival was first organized in 2015. In the course of these three years, the events of the Festival have attracted 10,000 visitors in such cities as: Vienna Berlin London Dublin Upcoming Festivals: September 21-24, 2017 Berlin October 22-29, 2017 Belgrade CONTACT US: st.elisabeth.expo@gmail.com