Vitebsk 2018

The story is an ordinary one. An ordinary photographer loads a black-and-white film into his mechanical camera and goes far, far away, as far away as possible. There, an ordinary life awaits him, very simple in the passage of time and extremely ingenuous in the simplicity of its subjects. Ordinary people, ordinary entourage, ordinary relationships… Not surprising, we’ve seen it more than once, both in life and directly in photography. Then why? What’s the point? What’s the interest? The visual representation begs no less a series of questions. An abundance of central compositions, frontal angles, familiar plans. What is it: a manner, a style, a particular form of perception? There are many questions, just as there could be many answers. But he is one. Like a lonely choice, like a mined essence. In a simple decision, seemingly ordinary, perhaps, to the extent of strength and skill, graceful, to see depth. A depth accessible to everyone. All that remains is to dive in.

The International Photo Festival “PHOTOKROK” named after Sigismund Yurkovsky was created as a platform for amateur photographers, where the exchange of creative and professional experience is possible.

Organizer of the photofest — Vitebsk Fund of Photography “FotoKrok” with the support of the Department of Culture of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee.

The aim of the photofest — is to unite national and foreign amateur photographers in the most creative place of the Republic of Belarus — the city of Vitebsk. To attract creative people in the field of photography and thereby using their work to popularize Vitebsk at the national and world level.

The objectives of the photofest-show the audience a high level of photographic culture through a number of high-class photographic exhibitions of both classics of photography, and the best works of modern amateur photographers on a competitive basis. To conduct educational master classes, lectures, sessions portfolio review to improve photo skills among amateur photographers. To create a place of continuity between amateurs and professionals, a platform for reflecting the diversity of reality through photography.

Location of the Republic of Belarus is unique, it borders with 5 states, the participants of which determine the international status of the festival, which invites amateurs and professionals of photography from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and of course Belarus to participate in the competition and the festival itself.