On 2 December, the XV International Youth Festival ‘Peterhof Ball of Cultures’ was held in Peterhof, timed to coincide with the Year of the Family in the Russian Federation. This annual bright event gathers a large number of participants and guests of honour thanks to the project manager, director and steward of the ball Elena Zhigalko and her team. This year the festival celebrated its 15th anniversary and became international.

A special atmosphere was created by the decoration of the Grand Hall of the Summer Palace, where the festival is held. 100 couples twirled on the parquet in a waltz, performed medieval and Irish dances, mazurka and polonaise.

Students of P.M. Masherov Vitebsk State University also received their magical invitation to the ball. Among the participants were representatives of different faculties of the university: Pavel Kolmogortsev, Valeria Gulyai, Dmitry Mironov, Arina Tsyganenko, Dmitry Petrovsky, Arina Zhukova, Ivan Chernukho, Anastasia Yaroshchenko.

All responsibly prepared, attended rehearsals, selected outfits. And already today talented, creative and purposeful students share their impressions and tell what they remembered the event.

Arina Tsyganenko (Faculty of Humanitarian Knowledge and Communications, 3rd year):

- Participation in the Peterhof Ball of Cultures as a member of the university delegation was a huge honour and responsibility for me. We were the only representatives of Belarus at this magical event, which caused us special excitement, but the incredibly warm and reverent attitude towards our delegation created an atmosphere of friendship and unity around us.

We were struck not only by the beauty of the palace complex, elegance of dances, but also by the openness and hospitality of the participants of the ball. We felt ourselves not just guests, but a part of a big family united by love to culture and art.

Special, deep gratitude to my university and personally to Valentina Vasilyevna for the opportunity to be a part of such a magical event, as well as to Anastasia Andreevna and the guys with whom I shared these unforgettable days of rehearsals and the journey itself. Thanks to you, I was able to feel myself in a real fairy tale, and this day will always remain in my memory!

The Peterhof Cultural Ball was an event that exceeded all my expectations. Since childhood I have dreamed of going to a real ball, to feel like a heroine of a fairy tale, and this dream came true!

Ivan Chernukho (Faculty of Mathematics and Information Technologies, 2nd year):

- XV Youth Festival ‘Peterhof Ball of Cultures’ left unforgettable memories. It was a mesmerising evening filled with the rhythms of waltzes, the grace of polonaises and the zadora of all dances. Each dance performance was like a miniature play, immersing us in the exquisite era of the 18th and 19th centuries. But it was not only the dances that made this festival memorable for us. It became a platform for meeting talented people. We exchanged impressions, were inspired by creativity and made new acquaintances. I would like to express my special gratitude to my university and personally to the rector Valentina Vasilievna for this unique opportunity. Being present at such a great event not only broadened our cultural horizons, but also gave us unforgettable impressions that will stay with us for a lifetime.

Valeria Gulyai (Law Faculty, 3rd year):

- The organisers of the festival managed to create a truly magical atmosphere, transporting participants and guests to a refined era. From the first steps into the ballroom I plunged into the atmosphere of refinement and beauty, into the times of the 18th-19th centuries. The luxurious interior, live classical music and the guests' outfits made me feel that I was transported to the distant past. The guests of the festival amazed me with their skill and artistry. Each couple moved with ease and grace, as if floating above the parquet. Waltzes, polkas and mazurkas replaced each other, creating a mesmerising spectacle.

I would like to sincerely thank the university and its rector Valentina Vasilyevna for such a wonderful opportunity to take part in an interesting and fabulous event.

Dmitry Mironov (Faculty of Mathematics and Information Technologies, 2nd year):

- The Ball of Cultures was a truly unforgettable event that left a big trace in my memory. In addition to the dancing component, the festival was a great platform for cultural exchange and acquaintances. Participants from different cities exchanged experience, shared impressions and made new acquaintances.

I would especially like to mention the organisation of the event. Everything was thought out to the smallest Vasilievna, the rector of the university, for the opportunity to visit such a marvellous ball!

Pavel Kolmogortsev (Faculty of Mathematics and Information Technologies, 2nd year):

- The trip to the ball was an unforgettable event that left me with pleasant impressions. Magnificent architecture, exquisite outfits and sounds of classical music created a unique entourage. The dancing at the ball was a real masterpiece. The ball started with historical dances, then everyone took part in flash mobs. I would like to express my special gratitude to our university and its rector Valentina V. Bogatyryova for the organisation of this trip. After all, we had an opportunity to plunge into the world of beauty and elegance, to touch history and feel ourselves a part of a wonderful era.

Dmitry Petrovsky (Faculty of Humanitarian Knowledge and Communications, 2nd year):

- For me, the December trip to the XV Youth Festival ‘Ball of Cultures’ in Peterhof was one of the most magical moments in the last few years. It was a truly unforgettable moment, a great opportunity to realise myself in waltz, to get acquainted with the rich culture and architecture of St. Petersburg and just relax in the ‘city of white nights’. It is impossible to single out any part of the trip as the most favourite, because all these days were really bright and memorable. The exciting road to St. Petersburg, the beautiful ball itself, the interesting excursion around the city - all this I liked very much, and I will definitely keep these memories for the rest of my life.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to my native VSU and personally to the rector Valentina Vasilyevna Bogatyryova for giving me the opportunity to visit a real winter fairy tale, which, fortunately, did not pass me by.

On the second day the University delegation visited the youth club ‘M-51’. A sightseeing tour was conducted for the students, as well as a round table, during which the participants shared their experience in the implementation of youth policy in Belarus and Russia. Special attention was paid to future plans, social initiatives and cultural projects. At the end of the round table, the students were presented with commemorative prizes and certificates of participants.

Also the delegation of Belarus and Russia headed by Dmitry Olegovich Peskov, Head of the Department of Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organisations of the Administration of the Petrodvortsov District of St. Petersburg, laid flowers to the stele ‘City of Military Glory’ in Lomonosov on the Day of the Unknown Soldier. At the end of all the events the students visited the State Museum of Fine Arts ‘Peterhof’ and a sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg was conducted for them.