On Friday morning, 300 kilometers east of Minsk, Limmud FSU’s 2nd Belarus Festival (ART Limmud) opened. 700 participants traveled to Vitebsk – the birthplace of Marc Chagall – from various cities around Belarus; they were joined by friends from Russia, Ukraine, Israel and the U.S.

The opening gala Friday afternoon was held in the presence of Israel’s Ambassador to Belarus Yosef Shagal; Chair of the Union of Belarusian Jewish Public Organizations Boris Gersten; and Minister of Culture (Vitebsk) Larissa Olinsiya and featured a blend of Israeli and Belarusian entertainment.

photos from ART Limmud 2014’s Opening Gala by Yossi Aloni