Belarus’ Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater awarded UNESCO Commemorative Medal

         The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus was awarded the  UNESCO Commemorative Medal "five Continents" in recognition of its contribution to international culture and on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Belarus' membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, BelTA reports. UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova presented the commemorative medal to the head of the theater Vladimir Gridyushko in a solemn ceremony in Minsk. Presenting the award, Irina Bokova noted that it was a great honor for her to visit the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus. Art is a way of seeing the world and being at the same time part of it. The UNESCO Charter says that wars begin in the minds of people. Therefore we need to strengthen the ideas of peace in the minds of people. This is why the Charter calls the artistic and cultural cooperation a sacred obligation. The Bolshoi Theater fully shares this responsibility, said Irina Bokova. She added that the theater became a key center for performing arts bringing people together around common aspirations and values.