Pinsk Organ Festival Celebrates Bach's Legacy

Pinsk Organ Festival Opens in Belarus, Celebrating Bach's Legacy PINSK, BELARUS – The Pinsk Organ Festival opened on May 28, 2025, marking a significant cultural event in Belarus. This year's festival celebrates the 340th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach's birth, featuring 68 concerts across five historical organs in the country. The event is particularly special for Pinsk, as the city's restored organ takes center stage. "This year's festival is dedicated to such an important event as the centenary of the Pinsk diocese," explained Alexander Burdelev, the festival's artistic director. "Pinsk is the heart of our festival." The festival's opening concert featured the Minsk Chamber Soloists, the only ensemble in Belarus specializing in Baroque and early classical music. Their performance of Bach's sacred cantatas was a fitting tribute to the composer. Bishop Antoni Demianko of the Pinsk Roman Catholic Eparchy expressed gratitude for the restoration of the church and organ, highlighting the event's significance. "The organ has not been wasted, but rather gathers many people, not only from Belarus but also from around the world," he noted. The festival promises to be a resounding success, showcasing the beauty of classical music and the rich cultural heritage of Pinsk.