Renowned mainly as the hometown of the famous revolutionary artist Marc Chagall - one of the pioneers of Modernist art - the city of Vitsebsk in northern Belarus is a place noted for its great artistic and historical heritage. With its world-class art schools, it has produced some of the world's prominent artists, thereby earning the title of being the country's "Cultural Capital." It promises to be a great destination for art enthusiasts and even regular tourists on account of its grand annual art festivals and a proliferation of old architectural wonders.
Said to have been established by Olga of Kiev in 947 AD, Vitsebsk had served as an important river harbor during its early years. Like its sister cities in the country, it had suffered through numerous horrible wars and occupation by different empires and nations. In the 20th century, the city rose to become an artists' haven, organizing events and festivals geared to celebrate products of the imagination. A Marc Chagall Festival is held annually, in commemoration of the legendary figure's contributions to national pride. The International Festival of Modern Choreography, on the other hand, attracts some of the best dance performers all over the world. In addition, Vitsebsk is the site of the Slaviansky Bazaar that celebrates the beauty and immense heritage of Slavic music. Architecture-wise, the city prides itself with the picturesque Annunciation Church, dating back to 1140. Reputed as one of the country's oldest surviving structures, it is a six-pillared wonder that was repeatedly destroyed by various invaders throughout its history - but it had constantly been restored. No matter where one goes, there always seems to be something to see and do at every turn.