Social Media Festival:
фотокрок
Х International Festival of Photography in Vitebsk (Belarus)
June 25-29, 2025
Participant of the Photo Tutorial Festival on Vitebsk Street2022. Photo: Vasily Prudnikov
2025 – FotoKrok is 10 years old!
The International Photography Festival "FotoKrok" named after S.Yurkovsky in Vitebsk is a platform for amateurs, professionals and fans of photography, where creative and professional experience is exchanged.
The city of Vitebsk is considered the cultural capital of Belarus for a reason – creative life is concentrated in it for a reason. Vitebsk is already known to the world as the city where world-class mastersin various fields of culture, art, and science were born, lived, and worked. These are Yuri Peng, Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitsky, Ilya Repin, Mark Fradkin and many others. There is another outstanding personality who made the city famous, this is Sigismund Yurkovsky, a photographer and designer who made an invention (a curtain–slit shutter), which is still used by the entire world photographic community. His name is included in world and domestic books and reference books on the photography department.
What is a "FotoKrok? Krok means step in Belarusian. A step is the beginning of a movement, then life begins. There is no life without movement! Here we are, croc after croc, and it's been 10 years :)
The purpose 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.The objectives of the photofest are to show the audience a high level of photographic culture through the organization of a number of high–class photographic exhibitions of both classics of photography and the best works of modern amateur photographers on a competitive basis.Conduct educational workshops, lectures, and portfolio review sessions to enhance photography skills among amateur photographers. To create a place of continuity between amateurs and professionals, to create a platform for reflecting the diversity of the surrounding reality through photography.
To use Vitebsk as a texture for creating creative works.
The city of Vitebsk is considered the cultural capital of Belarus for a reason – creative life is concentrated in it for a reason. Vitebsk is already known to the world as the city where world-class mastersin various fields of culture, art, and science were born, lived, and worked. These are Yuri Peng, Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitsky, Ilya Repin, Mark Fradkin and many others. There is another outstanding personality who made the city famous, this is Sigismund Yurkovsky, a photographer and designer who made an invention (a curtain–slit shutter), which is still used by the entire world photographic community. His name is included in world and domestic books and reference books on the photography department.
What is a "FotoKrok? Krok means step in Belarusian. A step is the beginning of a movement, then life begins. There is no life without movement! Here we are, croc after croc, and it's been 10 years :)
The purpose 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.The objectives of the photofest are to show the audience a high level of photographic culture through the organization of a number of high–class photographic exhibitions of both classics of photography and the best works of modern amateur photographers on a competitive basis.Conduct educational workshops, lectures, and portfolio review sessions to enhance photography skills among amateur photographers. To create a place of continuity between amateurs and professionals, to create a platform for reflecting the diversity of the surrounding reality through photography.
To use Vitebsk as a texture for creating creative works.
Participants of the Photo club for 10 years 2015-2024
5 days
The program of the 10th Photofestfor June 25 - June 29, 2025
2 contests
The festival competition "A PLACE IN THE SUN" is the main theme of the festival and the urbanblitz competition during the festival
9 classes
The program of the photofest includes PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, lectures, master classes and creative meetings with masters of photography
15 exhibitions
National exhibitions of photographers from Belarus, Russia and other countries are being presented
Festival Competition 2025
A PLACE UNDER THE SUN
A PLACE UNDER THE SUN
A PLACE WHERE IT'S GOOD – THAT'S THE MAIN CHARACTER OUR TOPIC
This year, we are encouraging amateur and professional photographers to participate in the 10th FotoKrok Festival Competition in 2025.
The theme "A PLACE IN THE SUN" is dedicated to the 10th Birthday of the FotoKrok festival! Strangely enough, such a poetic expression was born back in the 15th century during a protest and still carries the characteristic of class struggle – it means the right to life or the right to exist. But when we take this really beautiful expression, we see in it a reflection of the most wonderful place in the universe. A PLACE IN THE SUN... what could be more beautiful, right? For example, for us, the organizers and participants of the FotoKrok festival, the city of Vitebsk and the festival itself are such a place under the sun :).
Photos for the contest can and should be sent about any place. A place where it's good is the main character of our theme.It is a place where it is cozy, where it is nice and peaceful, warm not only from the sun,but also from the love and attention of relatives and friends. There can be a PLACE UNDER THE SUN in cold and gray Chukotka, anywhere.If you love your region dearly, then this is your Place in the Sun, you are happy to go to study or work every day, so this is your Place in the Sun, you are with your family or company, where you are warm and comfortable, so this is your Place in the Sun!
The best shots will be presented at the main festival exhibition,it will be our festival and photographic "PLACE IN THE SUN".
Aristotle argued that there is the very first motive principlethat leads to every movement and change. And this beginning is incomprehensible. and it is unchangeable, but the movement itself is eternal and represents pure energy. Everything that happens around us didn't just come out of nowhere. Everything that we have achieved or not achieved in our lives is the result of movement or, conversely, inaction. It is important to understand that movement can be not only in the form of some kind of physical action, but also in the form of spiritual and mental development. All areas of a person's life depend on the movement, from career to spiritual balance.
MOVEMENT is a cross–cutting theme of the festival. Krok means step in Belarusian. A place under the Sun is a place where you always want to go...
The theme "A PLACE IN THE SUN" is dedicated to the 10th Birthday of the FotoKrok festival! Strangely enough, such a poetic expression was born back in the 15th century during a protest and still carries the characteristic of class struggle – it means the right to life or the right to exist. But when we take this really beautiful expression, we see in it a reflection of the most wonderful place in the universe. A PLACE IN THE SUN... what could be more beautiful, right? For example, for us, the organizers and participants of the FotoKrok festival, the city of Vitebsk and the festival itself are such a place under the sun :).
Photos for the contest can and should be sent about any place. A place where it's good is the main character of our theme.It is a place where it is cozy, where it is nice and peaceful, warm not only from the sun,but also from the love and attention of relatives and friends. There can be a PLACE UNDER THE SUN in cold and gray Chukotka, anywhere.If you love your region dearly, then this is your Place in the Sun, you are happy to go to study or work every day, so this is your Place in the Sun, you are with your family or company, where you are warm and comfortable, so this is your Place in the Sun!
The best shots will be presented at the main festival exhibition,it will be our festival and photographic "PLACE IN THE SUN".
Aristotle argued that there is the very first motive principlethat leads to every movement and change. And this beginning is incomprehensible. and it is unchangeable, but the movement itself is eternal and represents pure energy. Everything that happens around us didn't just come out of nowhere. Everything that we have achieved or not achieved in our lives is the result of movement or, conversely, inaction. It is important to understand that movement can be not only in the form of some kind of physical action, but also in the form of spiritual and mental development. All areas of a person's life depend on the movement, from career to spiritual balance.
MOVEMENT is a cross–cutting theme of the festival. Krok means step in Belarusian. A place under the Sun is a place where you always want to go...
Vasily Prudnikov
Director of the Festival
June 25 - June 29, 2025
Exhibitions FotoKrok-2025
The exhibition program of the 10th FotoKrok Festival is being formed.
Stay tuned for announcements and updates.
And subscribe to keep up to date!
Stay tuned for announcements and updates.
And subscribe to keep up to date!
competitive photography
A PLACE UNDER THE SUN
Exhibition of the winners of the festival photo contest "A PLACE IN THE SUN"
The theme "A PLACE UNDER THE SUN" is dedicated to 10th birthday of the Photo Lesson festival!Taking this beautiful expression, we see in it a reflection of the most wonderful place in the universe. A PLACE IN THE SUN... what could be more beautiful, right? A place where it's good is the main character of our theme.It is a place where it is cozy, where it is nice and peaceful, warm not only from the sun, but also from the love and attention of relatives and friends. There can be a PLACE UNDER THE SUN in cold and gray Chukotka, anywhere.If you love your region dearly, then this is your Place in the Sun, you are happy to go to study or work every day, so this is your Place in the Sun, you are with your family or company, where you are warm and comfortable, so this is your Place in the Sun!
The theme "A PLACE UNDER THE SUN" is dedicated to 10th birthday of the Photo Lesson festival!Taking this beautiful expression, we see in it a reflection of the most wonderful place in the universe. A PLACE IN THE SUN... what could be more beautiful, right? A place where it's good is the main character of our theme.It is a place where it is cozy, where it is nice and peaceful, warm not only from the sun, but also from the love and attention of relatives and friends. There can be a PLACE UNDER THE SUN in cold and gray Chukotka, anywhere.If you love your region dearly, then this is your Place in the Sun, you are happy to go to study or work every day, so this is your Place in the Sun, you are with your family or company, where you are warm and comfortable, so this is your Place in the Sun!
historical photography
FotoKrok is 10 years old!
Urban – Festival
Urban – Festival
Exhibition of participants of the FotoKrok festival
The exhibition presents selected photographs from the participants of the FotoKrok photofest for its entire history from 2016 to 2024 to the city and its residents, whom they captured during the festival. During the eight years of filming, the photographers used the city of Vitebsk as a texture to create their creative works. The subjects selected for the exhibition are filled primarily not just with views, but with images of the city, beauty and emotions of the citizens.
The exhibition presents selected photographs from the participants of the FotoKrok photofest for its entire history from 2016 to 2024 to the city and its residents, whom they captured during the festival. During the eight years of filming, the photographers used the city of Vitebsk as a texture to create their creative works. The subjects selected for the exhibition are filled primarily not just with views, but with images of the city, beauty and emotions of the citizens.
Novella VICTORY PARADE
Dedicated to the grandfathers…
Alexander Smirnov (Saint Petersburg)
Dedicated to the grandfathers…
Alexander Smirnov (Saint Petersburg)
In the photographs from the Conditioned Reflexes project by photographer Alexander Smirnov, the parade formation (boxes) come out of the TV directly into the room, to the viewer, creating a real effect of the transition of media reality into OBJECTIVE reality.…
If I ask: "Have you ever seen a Victory Day Parade?" Then they'll look at me in disbelief.
But I mean, have you ever seen a Parade with your own eyes, when " workers" pass by you, standing at attention at the command, striking a step with a majestically raised chin…
When the guard commander commands, "Pay off the first and second!"
Someone will say that they saw the rehearsal of the Parade. But this is a pre–parade – yes, it looks like it, but... Someone else will tell you what he saw - on Vasilyevsky Descent, right at the exit from Red Square, or on the Arbat…
And this is already a post-parade, the warriors have relaxed and the nerve is not a chord.…
And another will immediately make the argument that the Parade is being broadcast on TV and anyone can watch it. And he's partly right!
Only, it's a look through the cameraman behind the camera and the releasing editor, who chooses what to show us.
And so, I'm sitting in front of the TV and I'm thinking, what would you do to make the marching warriors parade in front of my grandfathers?,
Who fought on the fronts…
If I ask: "Have you ever seen a Victory Day Parade?" Then they'll look at me in disbelief.
But I mean, have you ever seen a Parade with your own eyes, when " workers" pass by you, standing at attention at the command, striking a step with a majestically raised chin…
When the guard commander commands, "Pay off the first and second!"
Someone will say that they saw the rehearsal of the Parade. But this is a pre–parade – yes, it looks like it, but... Someone else will tell you what he saw - on Vasilyevsky Descent, right at the exit from Red Square, or on the Arbat…
And this is already a post-parade, the warriors have relaxed and the nerve is not a chord.…
And another will immediately make the argument that the Parade is being broadcast on TV and anyone can watch it. And he's partly right!
Only, it's a look through the cameraman behind the camera and the releasing editor, who chooses what to show us.
And so, I'm sitting in front of the TV and I'm thinking, what would you do to make the marching warriors parade in front of my grandfathers?,
Who fought on the fronts…
documentary photography
NAROCH WIDOWS
Anatoly Dudkin (Minsk)
Anatoly Dudkin (Minsk)
Anatoly Dudkin's exhibition "Naroch Widows" is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 90th anniversary of the photographer.
Once upon a time, Anatoly Dudkin's surprisingly heartfelt series of photographs "Narochan Widows", dedicated to women who remained faithful to their husbands who died at the front, bypassed all publications. I just want to hug these bent old ladies with sad eyes...
The cycle "Narochan widows" was filmed in the 1980s in villages in the vicinity of Lake Myadel (Minsk region). These are portrait and everyday photographs that reveal the fate of women who were left alone as a result of the war. A. Dudkin's portrait photographs are characterized by acute psychologism, through the facial features and facial expressions of the heroines, the true story of their lives is built... The narrative and everyday works of this cycle contain many ethnographic details, which helps the modern viewer to better understand the complexities of the post-war period.
Curator Alexander Chentsov (Minsk)
* A creative meeting will be held at the festival
with a curator (online).
Once upon a time, Anatoly Dudkin's surprisingly heartfelt series of photographs "Narochan Widows", dedicated to women who remained faithful to their husbands who died at the front, bypassed all publications. I just want to hug these bent old ladies with sad eyes...
The cycle "Narochan widows" was filmed in the 1980s in villages in the vicinity of Lake Myadel (Minsk region). These are portrait and everyday photographs that reveal the fate of women who were left alone as a result of the war. A. Dudkin's portrait photographs are characterized by acute psychologism, through the facial features and facial expressions of the heroines, the true story of their lives is built... The narrative and everyday works of this cycle contain many ethnographic details, which helps the modern viewer to better understand the complexities of the post-war period.
Curator Alexander Chentsov (Minsk)
* A creative meeting will be held at the festival
with a curator (online).
SIMULACRA AND DOCUMENTATION
The Creative Union of the Foot is 20 years old!
The Creative Union of the Foot is 20 years old!
The Creative Union of Documentary Photographers "Noga" presents a comprehensive exhibition of each of its authors in honor of the 20th anniversary of the union.
The Leg Creative Union was founded on December 12, 2005 as an Association of Independent Documentary Photographers. Currently, 23 photographers are active members of the Foot team.
The purpose of the union is to collect documentary stories shot in various parts of the world, with the right of each author to freely express his vision on any of the selected topics.
Curated by Misha Maslennikov
https://noga.photos/ru
* A creative meeting will be held at the festival
with a curator (online).
The Leg Creative Union was founded on December 12, 2005 as an Association of Independent Documentary Photographers. Currently, 23 photographers are active members of the Foot team.
The purpose of the union is to collect documentary stories shot in various parts of the world, with the right of each author to freely express his vision on any of the selected topics.
Curated by Misha Maslennikov
https://noga.photos/ru
* A creative meeting will be held at the festival
with a curator (online).
LURIKA PORTRAITS
Valera and Natasha Cherkashin (Moscow)
Valera and Natasha Cherkashin (Moscow)
A special project by Cherkashin artists has been prepared specifically for the FotoKrok festival in Vitebsk in 2025, based on the author's photographs of Valery Cherkashin in the form of portraits of his contemporaries.
The works feature a combination of digital art converted to analog and pictorial intrusion. Cherkashins aestheticized the Kharkov commercial movement "Luriki", in the late 1940s, up to the 1980s. This is an enlargement of small b/w photographs and manual coloring of them, mainly with aniline dyes, which Cherkashin touched upon when he made his first and only Luric self-portrait in 1968. Later, this process was aestheticized by the Kharkov School of Photography.
The portrait is by Lurik Cherkashin, it is a synthesis of several moments brought together.
1. The moment is when a person is photographed expressing himself, his time.
2. The work of a photographer who, at a certain moment, clicks on a freeze frame, which takes into account the photographer's condition for that second and the tasks he performs.
3. The work of the artist who creates on the provided material expresses this synthesis in his own specific color, artistic form, which he owns at the moment when he does the work.
4. It is also important to know about a certain person and a personal attitude towards this person, this cannot be avoided.
* A creative meeting
with the authors will take place at the festival.
The works feature a combination of digital art converted to analog and pictorial intrusion. Cherkashins aestheticized the Kharkov commercial movement "Luriki", in the late 1940s, up to the 1980s. This is an enlargement of small b/w photographs and manual coloring of them, mainly with aniline dyes, which Cherkashin touched upon when he made his first and only Luric self-portrait in 1968. Later, this process was aestheticized by the Kharkov School of Photography.
The portrait is by Lurik Cherkashin, it is a synthesis of several moments brought together.
1. The moment is when a person is photographed expressing himself, his time.
2. The work of a photographer who, at a certain moment, clicks on a freeze frame, which takes into account the photographer's condition for that second and the tasks he performs.
3. The work of the artist who creates on the provided material expresses this synthesis in his own specific color, artistic form, which he owns at the moment when he does the work.
4. It is also important to know about a certain person and a personal attitude towards this person, this cannot be avoided.
* A creative meeting
with the authors will take place at the festival.
author's photo
JOY SIMPLE THINGS
Igor Palkin (Moscow)
Igor Palkin (Moscow)
The author of these photos is not just a "priest who is passionate about photography," Igor Palkin is a professional photographer and head of the press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
The exhibition of photographs by Priest Igor Palkin “The Joy of Simple Things” has attracted a lot of feedback from the professional photographic community. For some, Father Igor's photographs are a story about what can warm the soul of each of us – easily recognizable images of love and warmth. These are the impressions that fill our lives with joy and goodness. And no matter how much you want to prolong the moments of a little "here and now happiness," it slips away, leaving only a couple of frames captured on a mobile phone. It is from such "random" and easily recognizable images of love and warmth that the photo exhibition is made up. The black-and–white photographs, recorded almost by chance, are almost like the cards of an old family album. Others are interested in his experiments with printing technology – small-format images taken with an iPhone camera were printed manually on silver-bromine paper literally from a computer monitor.
The processing, which eliminates the shortcomings of the original image, also simulates the illumination of an amateur film camera from the 1970s, which further emphasizes the spontaneity of the shooting and the authenticity of the captured event.
* A creative meeting
with the author will take place at the festival.
The exhibition of photographs by Priest Igor Palkin “The Joy of Simple Things” has attracted a lot of feedback from the professional photographic community. For some, Father Igor's photographs are a story about what can warm the soul of each of us – easily recognizable images of love and warmth. These are the impressions that fill our lives with joy and goodness. And no matter how much you want to prolong the moments of a little "here and now happiness," it slips away, leaving only a couple of frames captured on a mobile phone. It is from such "random" and easily recognizable images of love and warmth that the photo exhibition is made up. The black-and–white photographs, recorded almost by chance, are almost like the cards of an old family album. Others are interested in his experiments with printing technology – small-format images taken with an iPhone camera were printed manually on silver-bromine paper literally from a computer monitor.
The processing, which eliminates the shortcomings of the original image, also simulates the illumination of an amateur film camera from the 1970s, which further emphasizes the spontaneity of the shooting and the authenticity of the captured event.
* A creative meeting
with the author will take place at the festival.
TANGERA
Svetlana Klochkova (Moscow)
Svetlana Klochkova (Moscow)
Exhibition of photography by photographer Svetlana Klochkova. Everything in the project is copyrighted – from the concept to hand-made hand printing.
TANGERA's photo project, a tribute to the beauty of the author's three passions – the Argentine tango, the beauty of a woman and photography. These are seven stories of women united by tango, Svetlana also combined them with photography.
The images were taken with both digital and film cameras, but all the photos were printed on emulsion gelatin-silver photographic paper using alternative technologies.
The author specifically passes images through a number of experimental technologies both when shooting and when printing, so that the images are filled with mystery, individual style and eventually become unique works.
TANGERA's photo project, a tribute to the beauty of the author's three passions – the Argentine tango, the beauty of a woman and photography. These are seven stories of women united by tango, Svetlana also combined them with photography.
The images were taken with both digital and film cameras, but all the photos were printed on emulsion gelatin-silver photographic paper using alternative technologies.
The author specifically passes images through a number of experimental technologies both when shooting and when printing, so that the images are filled with mystery, individual style and eventually become unique works.
THE PHILOSOPHY
OF WABI-SABI
Dmitry Razakhatsky (Minsk)
OF WABI-SABI
Dmitry Razakhatsky (Minsk)
An exhibition of Dmitry Razakhatsky, an artist from Belarus who works in the genre of impressionist photography.
His projects explore the interaction of light, nature and the urban environment through the prism of the philosophy of wabi-sabi. Dmitry uses old film cameras and minimal digital processing to create unique textures and images.
In many photographs there are philosophical concepts of yin and yang, opposite natural symbols.
The blurred outlines, grainy texture, and natural fuzziness of the image emphasize the fleeting nature of the moment and the fragility of human existence. There is no striving for an ideal form here – respect for the naturalness and nature of time is read in every element. The visual language of the work is balanced between minimalism and emotional intensity. This work invites the viewer to reflect on the nature of choice and the internal "parallels" that we encounter along the way.
There are photographs made in the spirit of abstract minimalism and photorealistic romanticism with elements of landscape photography. The main focus is on the movement of a "piece" of light and the blurring of "reality", which creates a sense of ephemerality and mystery. Dmitry's works evoke meditative emotions. A soft stream of light crossing a dark, dense background symbolizes hope, inspiration or a transition between worlds.
* A creative meeting
with the author will take place at the festival.
His projects explore the interaction of light, nature and the urban environment through the prism of the philosophy of wabi-sabi. Dmitry uses old film cameras and minimal digital processing to create unique textures and images.
In many photographs there are philosophical concepts of yin and yang, opposite natural symbols.
The blurred outlines, grainy texture, and natural fuzziness of the image emphasize the fleeting nature of the moment and the fragility of human existence. There is no striving for an ideal form here – respect for the naturalness and nature of time is read in every element. The visual language of the work is balanced between minimalism and emotional intensity. This work invites the viewer to reflect on the nature of choice and the internal "parallels" that we encounter along the way.
There are photographs made in the spirit of abstract minimalism and photorealistic romanticism with elements of landscape photography. The main focus is on the movement of a "piece" of light and the blurring of "reality", which creates a sense of ephemerality and mystery. Dmitry's works evoke meditative emotions. A soft stream of light crossing a dark, dense background symbolizes hope, inspiration or a transition between worlds.
* A creative meeting
with the author will take place at the festival.
artistic photography
The block is being formed and will be ready by March
special project
The block is being formed and will be ready by March
The summer cinema of the festival!
The block is being formed and will be ready by March
June 25 - June 29, 2025
The Masters FotoKrok-2025
The composition of the masters of the 10th festival "Photo Lesson" is being formed. There will be an unprecedented number of craftsmen in 2025! Stay tuned for announcements and updatesand subscribe to keep up to date!
- Valera and Natasha Cherkashin (Moscow)Artists, performance artistsValera and Natasha Cherkashin are world–class contemporary artists! Real ambassadors of Russian art. It's already a brand name. They actively use photography techniques in their work. Performance artists. Cherkashins know that there is an invisible but existing world behind the photo image. Valera received a wonderful Russian avant-garde school while working in Sterligov's group (Malevich's pupil).
And having good experience in working with traditional materials, I decided to return to my old photographic experience. By combining this, he had the opportunity to reveal invisible but existing spaces.
and make them visible using the technique of retouching and red pencil drawing on the photo.
www.cherkashinart.com >>>
* The author's photo exhibition "PORTRAITS OF CONTEMPORARIES" will be presented at the festival - Alexander Smirnov (Saint Petersburg)Photographer, journalistAlexander Smirnov was born in 1963 in Leningrad, a member of the Union of Artists of Russia, and was educated at the Leningrad Optical and Mechanical Institute and the Galperin Faculty of Photojournalists at the St. Petersburg Union of Journalists.
Currently, he is a teacher of photojournalism in private schools, and teaches an author's course of lectures on photography at the Artzokol KSEBE workshop, as part of the Imu KSEBE project.
He has been a member of the VDK photo club since 2003. He is the author and participant of more than 30 solo and group exhibitions of reportage and art photography.
* There is an author's exhibition at the festival
"The novella Victory Parade" and a lecture with the author - Misha Maslennikov (Odessa)Documentary photographer, curatorMisha Maslennikov is an independent photographer
and the head of the Creative Union "noGa" (professional association of documentary photographers).
The main areas of Maslennikov's photographic activity are solo expeditions to remote places, live communication and contact
with the inhabitants of the hinterland, inhabitants of active monasteries, hermitages, caretakers of ancient temples, churchyards, studying the way of life of modern hermits
and isolated communities. In mid-2005, he began shooting field reports and began to think seriously.
about the photographic process as an image of a special transmission of the author's thought in a missionary way.
https://maslennikov.photos/ru >>>
* * At the festival, as a curator, he presents an anniversary exhibition of all authors dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the creative union "noGa". - Gabriele Lentini
(Palermo)Photographer, videographerGabriele Lentini is an Italian professional photographer, member of the Union of Photographic Artists of Russia, member of the Russian and Italian Geographical Societies, video cameraman and reporter, born in Palermo in 1963. For several years, Gabriele worked as a photojournalist in Kenya, Tanzania, Turkey, Tunisia and in the Monastic Community of Mount Athos. In the style of his work, he is a master of black–and-white reportage photography. His works are on permanent display at the Renato Guttuso Museum in Sicily. His photographs have been repeatedly published in well–known publications - National Geographic, Geo, Grazia.
Since 2003, the photographer has been living and working periodically in Russia, where he cooperates with the largest news agencies: Photo-TASS, GEO-photo.
June 25 - June 29, 2025
Master classes FotoKrok-2025
The festival program includes daily workshops with invited masters of photography. The participants of the festival saw their work at copyright exhibitions, and then at master classes and lectures they got acquainted with their experience, technologies, and the author's philosophy of creating works.
A creative meeting with legendary artists Valera and Natasha Cherkashin.
"Photo lesson in Vitebsk, 2022. Photo: RUSS PRESS PHOTO
"Photo lesson in Vitebsk, 2022. Photo: RUSS PRESS PHOTO
Master class schedule
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND MASTER CLASSES PHOTO LESSON-2025 STAY TUNED!
JUNE 28, 2025
Portfolio Review FotoKrok-2025
The program of the festival includes an open session of a portfolio review of photographs with recognized masters of photography. This is a place of continuity between professionals and amateurs, expert assessment by masters of amateur photography.
Participation is by appointment only. Send a request by email fest@fotokrok.org marked with a PORTFOLIO REVIEW, marked with the names of the masters you want to visit.
Communication session with one master is 20 min.
Participation is by appointment only. Send a request by email fest@fotokrok.org marked with a PORTFOLIO REVIEW, marked with the names of the masters you want to visit.
Communication session with one master is 20 min.
REGISTRATION
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Festival venues FotoKrok
Art space
The territory of the Art Space at 7 Tolstogo Street is the most democratic festival venue and the location of 4 exhibitions in art and art style. Workshops of Vitebsk artists are located here, which are real creative laboratories and an ideal place for practical workshops. A unique city Museum of photography named after S.Yurkovsky opens here.
Railway station station Vitebsk
Thanks to Fotokrok, Vitebsk Railway Station has become a gallery and hosts a festival exhibition, which is included in the program of the City Day. The best photos of the participants of the Fotofest "Fotourok" will be presented on it.
Museum of Local Lore
The most central venue of the festival is, as befits the city Hall. The Museum of Local Lore contains the original photographs of Sigismund Yurkovsky. The observation deck of the Town Hall Museum always motivates the participants of the photofest to take bird's-eye pictures of the city in its very center.
Dukhovskoy Circle
The exhibition hall of the City Cultural Center is located in the very center of the city, a hundred meters from the Summer Amphitheater. This is an artistic reconstruction of the 14th century tower.
The gallery houses the Museum of the history of the International Art Festival Slavyansky Bazar in Vitebsk. On the fifth level there is an observation deck and the actual hall with the exposition of the Photo Lesson festival.
The gallery houses the Museum of the history of the International Art Festival Slavyansky Bazar in Vitebsk. On the fifth level there is an observation deck and the actual hall with the exposition of the Photo Lesson festival.
VNKHU Museum
The Museum of the History of the Vitebsk National Art College on M.Chagall Street.
A mecca for artists, because this school was founded by Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, and others taught at the school. famous artists. This is the most modern exhibition space in the Republic of Belarus. Here we hold the title exhibitions of the festival.
A mecca for artists, because this school was founded by Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, and others taught at the school. famous artists. This is the most modern exhibition space in the Republic of Belarus. Here we hold the title exhibitions of the festival.
THE BACK DOOR. Cultural and historical complex
A new Festival venue with a national flavor. It has exhibition halls and an outdoor stage. The venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Photofest.
The Musical Lounge Exhibition Hall
The exhibition hall on Frunze Avenue is the location of the author's exhibition.
Exhibition Hall
The exhibition hall on Beloborodov Avenue is a place for displaying large-scale exhibition collections.
The Wall Gallery
The art salon - gallery "Wall" has opened its doors to photographers. The best portfolios of Vitebsk photographers in the special project "Vitebsk Wall" are presented here as part of the festival.
June 25 - June 29, 2025
Conditions of participation in
FotoKrok-2025
FotoKrok-2025
We invite all fans of photography to take part in X International Photography Festival "Photo Lesson" named after S.Yurkovsky in Vitebsk. Immerse yourself in an inexhaustibly creative atmospherewith a rich cultural and practical program.City Day will saturate the festival days with its urban cultural events and make them even more festive and intense!
1
Registration of participants of the photo festival on this website >>>
2
PAYMENT FOR A TICKET FOR THE FULL PROGRAM OF THE FESTIVAL
A FESTIVAL
for Russian participants from Moscow
for Russian participants from Moscow
We invite Russian photography enthusiasts and professionals to participate
in the photo festival. As always, a comfortable festival bus has been organized for you, which will take you from Moscow to your place of residence
in Vitebsk and back. The festival will start on the road!
The masters of the photofest are on the bus, so that 8 hours of the road will fly by unnoticed and interesting for acquaintance and conversations. We will provide a Russian photodesant! Moscow – Vitebsk – Moscow Festival Bus
Help and registration by mail fest@fotokrok.org or by phone: +7 915 258-71-25
Fare Moscow-Vitebsk-Moscow - 6000 rubles.
The opening of the FotoKrok festival on Wednesday, June 25, at 19.00
Accommodation from the festival in the studio.hostels (1000 rubles/day),
order hostels /hotels /apartments on your own.
The train runs daily, so you can come for the weekend
of June 29-30, for example. These are the hottest days of the festival – on Saturday there is a celebration of the City Day, a portfolio review, on Sunday there is an excellent excursion program and the closing ceremony of the festival.
Join us, friends and all lovers of photography!
in the photo festival. As always, a comfortable festival bus has been organized for you, which will take you from Moscow to your place of residence
in Vitebsk and back. The festival will start on the road!
The masters of the photofest are on the bus, so that 8 hours of the road will fly by unnoticed and interesting for acquaintance and conversations. We will provide a Russian photodesant! Moscow – Vitebsk – Moscow Festival Bus
Help and registration by mail fest@fotokrok.org or by phone: +7 915 258-71-25
Fare Moscow-Vitebsk-Moscow - 6000 rubles.
The opening of the FotoKrok festival on Wednesday, June 25, at 19.00
Accommodation from the festival in the studio.hostels (1000 rubles/day),
order hostels /hotels /apartments on your own.
The train runs daily, so you can come for the weekend
of June 29-30, for example. These are the hottest days of the festival – on Saturday there is a celebration of the City Day, a portfolio review, on Sunday there is an excellent excursion program and the closing ceremony of the festival.
Join us, friends and all lovers of photography!
June 25 - June 29, 2025
Geography FotoKrok-2025
Vitebsk is the regional center of Belarus
June 25-29, 2025 – FotoKrok Festival
June 27-29, 2025 – City Day celebrations
June 25-29, 2025 – FotoKrok Festival
June 27-29, 2025 – City Day celebrations
DISTANCE and TRAVEL TIME:
Moscow - Vitebsk - 522 km / 8 hours by car
Saint Petersburg - Vitebsk - 621 km / 9 hours by car
Smolensk - Vitebsk - 136 km / 2.25 hours by car
Pskov - Vitebsk - 342 km / 5 hours by car
Kaliningrad - Vitebsk - 698 km / 8.15 hours by car
Minsk - Vitebsk - 289 km / 4 hours by car
Vilnius - Vitebsk - 354 km / 5.49 hours by car
Riga - Vitebsk - 497 km / 8.15 hours by car
Kiev - Vitebsk - 596 km / 9.14 hours by car
Warsaw - Vitebsk - 843 km / 11.23 hours by car
Moscow - Vitebsk - 522 km / 8 hours by car
Saint Petersburg - Vitebsk - 621 km / 9 hours by car
Smolensk - Vitebsk - 136 km / 2.25 hours by car
Pskov - Vitebsk - 342 km / 5 hours by car
Kaliningrad - Vitebsk - 698 km / 8.15 hours by car
Minsk - Vitebsk - 289 km / 4 hours by car
Vilnius - Vitebsk - 354 km / 5.49 hours by car
Riga - Vitebsk - 497 km / 8.15 hours by car
Kiev - Vitebsk - 596 km / 9.14 hours by car
Warsaw - Vitebsk - 843 km / 11.23 hours by car
Photo: Vasily Prudnikov on June 26-30, 2024. Photo lesson | RUSS PRESS PHOTO
PHOTOKROK-2024
The participants of the IX Photo Krok Photography Festival in Vitebsk
invite you to the next Photo Lesson in 2025!
invite you to the next Photo Lesson in 2025!
Participants of the IX photography festival "Photo Lesson" in Vitebsk. At the exhibition of Yana Kamenskaya
June 29, 2024. Photo: David Shevchenko
June 29, 2024. Photo: David Shevchenko
Partners:
Организаторы: Витебский Фонд фотографии "ФотоКрок", Культурный проект РУСС ПРЕСС ФОТО, Институт Фотографии ИПЛФ, Отдел культуры Витебского горисполкома, Учреждение культуры «Музей Марка Шагала в Витебске»
Профессиональный партнёр: Компания "Славич" – российские фотоматериалы
Информационные партнеры: газета "Витебские вести"
Сетевое издание «Конкурсы России и мира»
Партнеры: Витебский областной краеведческий музей
Национальный исторический музей Республики Беларусь
Национальный исторический архив Беларуси
Фестиваль искусств "Славянский базар в Витебске"
Витебская областная научно-техническая библиотека (ОНТБ)
Белорусское общественное объединение фотографов БООФ
Музей Метрополитен Черкашиных
Профессиональный партнёр: Компания "Славич" – российские фотоматериалы
Информационные партнеры: газета "Витебские вести"
Сетевое издание «Конкурсы России и мира»
Партнеры: Витебский областной краеведческий музей
Национальный исторический музей Республики Беларусь
Национальный исторический архив Беларуси
Фестиваль искусств "Славянский базар в Витебске"
Витебская областная научно-техническая библиотека (ОНТБ)
Белорусское общественное объединение фотографов БООФ
Музей Метрополитен Черкашиных
Творческий союз Нога
Registration
and contacts
and contacts
Vitebsk: Photography Foundation "Photo Lesson",
Vasily Prudnikov – Director of the Foundation
+375 29 200-13-57 (Viber)
Moscow: Partner of the Foundation
Cultural project RUSS PRESS PHOTO
+7 915 258-71-25 (Telegram)
fest@fotokrok.org
©2017-2025 Vitebsk Photography Foundation "FotoKrok"
Vasily Prudnikov – Director of the Foundation
+375 29 200-13-57 (Viber)
Moscow: Partner of the Foundation
Cultural project RUSS PRESS PHOTO
+7 915 258-71-25 (Telegram)
fest@fotokrok.org
©2017-2025 Vitebsk Photography Foundation "FotoKrok"
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The exhibition program of the 10th Photo Lesson Festival is being formed.
Stay tuned for announcements and updates.
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Stay tuned for announcements and updates.
And subscribe to keep up to date!
FotoKrok
X International Photography Festival named after Sigismund Yurkovsky
in Vitebsk (Belarus)
in Vitebsk (Belarus)
Days
Hours
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Opening of the festival on June 25, 2025 at 18.00 | Sign up
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