Vitebsk is often referred to as the "Cultural Capital" of Belarus. It is best known as the birthplace of the Jewish painter Marc Chagall, and his home has been preserved and operates as a museum. It is located near the railway station and costs 5000 rubles to get in. There is also a museum dedicated to his works that also frequently hosts exhibitions by the city's large modernist/post-modernist/avant garde artist community.
Vitebsk is also home to the National Academic Dramatic Theatre named for Yakub Kolas (http://www.theatre.vitebsk.by). This company has seen considerable success internationally. It is especially notable for being one of the last two professional theatres in the world performing exclusively in the Belarusian language. Foreign travellers unable to understand Belarusian should not be afraid of attending a performance, however, given that much of the work directed by Artistic Director Vital Barkouski is both visually striking and frequently of such an avant garde nature that they can be appreciated without an understanding of the language. Traditional works with charismatic flair are frequently directed by Yuri Lizianhevich.
In November, the city holds the International Festival of Modern Choreography (http://artmark.mm.by/eng/...), which plays host to dance companies from around the world.
Finally, Vitebsk is the home of the "Slaviansky Bazaar" (http://festival.vitebsk.by/en/) a huge festival of music from across the Slavic-speaking world. It is hosted in a stunning amphitheatre near the center. Other cultural events and activities, such as exhibitions and traditional crafts also play a significant part in the festival, and guest theatre productions are hosted in the Yakub Kolas Theatre.
The "Ratusha" city hall, with its renowned clock tower, is a beautiful piece of 19th century architecture, as is St. Varvara's Catholic Church. The church of Alexander Nevsky, sitting on the River Dvina across ul. Zamkovaya from the Yakub Kolas Theatre is also a beautiful example of old wooden style Orthodox churches.
As of 30 May 2008 the city's main art museum was closed for renovations. There is a museum in the old town between the Hotel Eridan and the river that holds a few hundred lithographs by Chagall entry 5000 rubles.
There is museum at the former residence of famous russian painter - I.Repin not far from Vitebsk.
