Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

Belarus is interested in attracting more Egyptian tourists, Belarus' Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk said as he met with Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt in Minsk on 17 July, BelTA has learned.

“Last year, 258,000 Belarusians visited Egypt. These are pretty large numbers. Now we need to move around this statistics and encourage more citizens of Egypt to come to Belarus. So far, we have welcomed a little more than a thousand Egyptians a year,” Sergei Kovalchuk said.

In his opinion, such a small flow is due to transport issues. “We do not have a direct regular flight with Egypt. So we need to address this issue. It would be good to have low-cost airlines flying on this route," the minister said.

Sergei Kovalchuk noted that the Belarusian hosts will try to show the Egyptian delegation all advantages of the country. “We are developing various types of tourism: industrial, medical, agro-ecotourism. The country has good health resorts, a large number of sports facilities, excellent infrastructure,” he added.

For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Anani said that this was one of his first visits abroad after the pandemic. “Our main goal is to show that we are ready to welcome tourists," he said. “Those tourists who visited Egypt after the borders reopened returned absolutely healthy. Everyone who is visiting our country has a safe stay.”

Dr. Khaled Al-Anani noted, in particular, the interest of the Egyptian business in Belarus: various proposals are considered, tours are offered, negotiations are held. “We have taken our relations to the level of interstate ties. Tourism is the best way of communication between our citizens,” he concluded.

The Egyptian delegation headed by Minister of Antiquities and Tourism Dr. Khaled Al-Anani is on a two-day official visit to Belarus. The guests are set to visit the National Historical Museum, Minsk Tractor Works, the Cathedral Mosque and the Yunost health resort and take a tour of Minsk. The presentation of the tourism potential of Belarus and Egypt has been scheduled for 18 July.

The Belarusian Embassy in Uzbekistan together with the Belarusian airline Belavia organized charter flights to return Belarusians home, Belarusian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Leonid Marinich told BelTA.

The diplomat noted that the Uzbekistan government has suspended all types of international transport, including by road, air and rail since 16 March. “In this regard, evacuation of Belarusian citizens has become a task of overriding importance for the embassy. Thus, from mid-March to mid-July, more than 120 compatriots were brought home from Uzbekistan with our active participation. We used various options: a flight through Moscow, on private charter flights, transit routes through Minsk. In July, two charter flights were organized along the Tashkent-Minsk route,” Ambassador Leonid Marinich said.

About 250 people, including 29 citizens of Belarus, took advantage of this opportunity. “We are coordinating with Uzbekistan partners a possibility of organizing two more charters by the Belarusian carrier,” the ambassador added.

Another most important task for the embassy, according to the ambassador, is to help Belarusian road freight carriers. During the pandemic, assistance was provided to 19 drivers. “Each case is special, requiring an individual approach. The matter is not only about the crossing of the borders of Uzbekistan's neighbors by road but also assisting drivers- citizens of Belarus with the accelerated mandatory testing for coronavirus, improving conditions and reducing the length of stay in quarantine zones,” Ambassador Leonid Marinich noted.

Representatives of 17 countries will perform at the international children's music contest Vitebsk 2020 as part of the Slavianski Bazaar festival, director of the forum, Director General of the Vitebsk Cultural Center Gleb Lapitsky told a press conference, BelTA has learned.

According to Gleb Lapitsky, the festival has been a venue of love and friendship for 29 years. The complicated epidemiological conditions this year have shown what the friendship and true love to art is. All indifferent people are in Vitebsk today. These are performers, organizers, mass media and guests of the forum. “Four days of the forum will be eventful and turn the city into an open-air celebration. Everything has been done to produce as many positive emotions as possible. This year young performers from 17 countries will perform at the Vitebsk concert hall. Contestants [the international popular song performers contest Vitebsk 2020] from 14 states will perform in the Summer Amphitheater. They are currently having rehearsals,” the director said.

Vitebsk Mayor Vadim Zaryankin added that he is happy to see that the festival tradition continues. “The city has welcomed many guests today. We do our best to make Vitebsk comfortable for everyone,” the mayor said.

Today, the Summer Amphitheater will host an official opening ceremony of the 29th edition of the International Arts Festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. In the afternoon, a new star will be lit up in the Laureates' Square near the Summer Amphitheater. The star will bear the name of Philipp Kirkorov, the winner of the special award of the Belarusian president “Through Art - to Peace and Mutual Understanding”.

The 29th edition of the International Arts Festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk will take place on 16-19 July. The major events of the festival will be the international contest of popular song performers Vitebsk 2020 and the international children's music contest Vitebsk 2020.

The legendary rocket launcher Katyusha has been put on display at the Museum of Military Equipment by the Mound of Glory near Minsk, BelTA has learned.

Taking part in the solemn ceremony were veterans of the Great Patriotic War and labor veterans, government officials, senior members of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. The guests of honor included Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Karayev, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, Minsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Turchin, Chairman of the Council of the Minsk city branch of the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans Anatoly Adonyev, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Mikhail Orda, Chairman of the Smolevichi District Executive Committee Andrei Ratomsky.

“When you look at this clear sky, it is difficult to imagine that there was time when the sky brought threat and fear and took lives. During the long four years our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers fought to bring back peace to Belarus, they fought for the opportunity to study, raise children and enjoy every moment of life. The path to freedom was paved by the blood of soldiers, tears of mothers and wives. We cherish the memory of those who defended our right for a future 75 years ago and we are sincerely grateful to our veterans,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

In the year when Belarus marks the 75th anniversary of the Victory, Minsk Oblast keeps refurbishing Victory symbols, the governor said. “After all, each memorial celebrates the courage, tenacity and spirit of our people, this is the most valuable heritage for the generations to come. The Mound of Glory holds a special place in the hearts of Belarusians. It embodies the invincibility of the Motherland defenders. We should never forget the heroic past of Belarusian people, we should preserve and strengthen the sovereignty and independence for our future and in the name of those who gave their lives for the Motherland,” he said.

Mikhail Orda explained that the date and time of the ceremony were chosen for a reason. It was on 14 July 1941 at 15.15 that this legendary rocket launcher was first used in a battle near Orsha. Katyusha was developed within a very short period of time and was used in almost every major operation of the Great Patriotic War. It particularly did well during Operation Bagration. “Katyusha became a symbol of the victory, and we decided to mount it at the foot of the Mound of Glory, which is also a symbol of the victory and liberation of Belarus,” Mikhail Orda noted.

The project to search and restore a Katyusha rocket launcher took about a year. Some parts were made using the samples from the Military Artillery Museum in St. Petersburg. The fire control console, plating parts, wheels and discs were found by searchers in Leningrad Oblast of Russia and restored by Belarusian specialists. “This is probably the only such original replica of this combat vehicle in Belarus,” Mikhail Orda stressed.

The project was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the sectoral trade unions. The money earned during the nationwide voluntary cleanup day (aka subbotnik) was used for the project too.

The project to improve the Mound of Glory grounds is one of the biggest initiatives of the trade unions. A few years ago, the reconstruction of the complex was completed, the grass cover replaced, the lighting installed, information stands were mounted. Last year, the Museum of Military Equipment had a new exhibit – an Il-2 attack bomber.

A new issue of BelTA's multimedia project “With Pride in Heart” is dedicated to Belarusian culture.

The culture of Belarus developed over the centuries. Belarus has inherited a truly rich heritage: original architecture, long traditions of art schools, unique musical and literary works. Over the years of independence, Belarus was able not only to preserve its cultural heritage, but also to multiply it. The constant and comprehensive support from the state played a huge role in this.

The issue dedicated to the Belarusian culture and traditions tells about the colossal work to preserve and develop the country's cultural traditions, support young talents and personalities known all over the world.

BelTA's project “With Pride in Heart” was launched on 16 June. It is dedicated to the achievements of the sovereign Belarus in various fields.

Since gaining independence, Belarus has come a long way, and the results of this development have benefited every Belarusian. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Belarus has managed not only to preserve the country, but also to expand its economic capacity, provide all citizens with the necessary social guarantees, and strengthen the national security. Belarus' voice is heard in respected international organizations, mostly thanks to peace initiatives of the country's authorities.

Every issue of the “With Pride in Heart” project tells about the country's achievements in many areas, from advanced technologies and national security to healthcare and national culture.

The project relies on the historical information, archival newspapers, photos, videos, and also BelTA's news materials and infographics.

The first four long-reads were dedicated to the manufacturing industry, the agricultural sector, national security and sport.

The festival in Alexandria has become a cultural brand of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko made the statement during the solemn opening ceremony of the Kupala Night Festival (Alexandria Gathers Friends) on 11 July, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “Since its inception the festival in Alexandria has become a cultural brand of our country and we are proud of it. The festival features many national traditions, which our craftsmen demonstrate. They've inherited these traditions from their forefathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. I am pleased that young people have gathered here as well. Here they are imbued with the traditions and rites that make up our national culture, our spiritual treasure.”

Mogilev Oblast Governor Leonid Zayats also welcomed guests of the festival. “Welcome to the hospital Mogilev land. It is the 11th time we've gathered in this blessed land according to Slavonic rites. I am happy to see those, who remember and honor our rites, here today,” the governor said. “Guests from Russia and Ukraine have come to us today. We've gathered in a significant spot – on the bank of the Dnieper River that connects our three countries.”

The first ever demonstration of traditional national costumes took place as part of the festival's opening ceremony. Over 100 Belarusian costumes from all parts of the country were featured. Guests from Russia and Ukraine also joined in the demonstration.

The Healthcare Ministry is working out orders to regulate the operation of healthcare institutions in case of the second wave of COVID-19, BelTA learned from Belarusian Healthcare Minister Vladimir Karanik.

The official noted that although the virus is now less active, it is still in the population. “This is why we are now moving onto the next stage: orders are being drafted on peculiarities of operation of healthcare institutions amid a coronavirus infection. There is no need to reserve such a large number of hospitals for this kind of patients, but we should be ready to provide medical aid if such a patient happens to turn up in any Belarusian medical institution,” Vladimir Karanik said.

Plans to respond and repurpose hospitals in anticipation of the second wave have been prepared. Hospitals are getting more breathing support equipment. Schedules for reconstruction and construction of new facilities have been adjusted. Spare means of individual protection are being stockpiled in order to satisfy feverish demand of the population among other things.

“For the last week we've been seeing steady positive dynamics, which applies to the number of detected infection cases and, which is more important, to the number of complicated disease forms, the patients, whose coronavirus infections are complicated by pneumonias. The number of infected patients and the number of pneumonias have been reduced by several times over the course of one month, which allows us to reversely repurpose hospital capacity in all parts of the country. Hospitals are reverting to normal operation,” the healthcare minister noted.

If Belarusians stay concerned and social distance remains in place, then thanks to antiepidemic measures and regular work to track contacts the country will be able to pass the second wave more easily or not notice it too much, Vladimir Karanik added.

The list of countries that still register new cases of the novel coronavirus has been updated, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry.

Another 12 countries have been removed from the list. These include Algeria, Andorra, Vietnam, Cyprus, Cuba, Lebanon, Mauritius, Malaysia, New Zealand, San Marino, Thailand, Tunisia.

People coming from these countries are not required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Belarus, the ministry noted.

The multifunctional center of Indian culture will open at Belarusian State University on 10 July, BelTA learned from the press service of the university.

The center will operate at the Faculty of Sociocultural Communications and will become an integrated space to recreate the sociocultural features of India in Belarus. It will run studies in Hinglish representing the symbiosis of English and various languages of India, video conferences, thematic lectures, meetings and cultural events.

The center will consist of several zones: academic, literary, cultural and recreation. It will also house an Indian cinema center. The academic zone will be designed for 25 seats and fitted with high-quality equipment. More than 100 pieces of Indian art, reference and scientific materials in the original language and in the Russian translation will be featured on the literary zone. The cultural zone will present fabrics, figurines, and artifacts from five regions of India, and the recreation zone will offer to taste the national drinks of this country.

Students of the Communication Design Faculty worked on the design of the office. The concept is centered around the idea of geographical and cultural diversity and contrasts of India. Future designers painted the walls in different Indian styles conveying the exotic, bright colors of that country. The opening of the new office of Indian culture is a continuation of the efforts to strengthen and develop BSU's ties with India. Since 2017, the BSU Faculty of International Relations has run the Center for Indology which specializes in teaching the Hindi language.

The Center of Indian Culture has been set up with the support of the Indian Embassy in Belarus. The opening ceremony will be attended by Indian Ambassador to Belarus Sangeeta Bahadur, Rector of Belarusian State University Andrei Korol, Dean of the Faculty of Social Cultural Communications Sergei Vazhnik, and also professors and students of the university.

The Belarusian air carrier Belavia restarts the charter program to Montenegro on 10 July, the airline said on its Facebook account.

Flights from Minsk to Tivat will be operated daily.

For more information, please contact travel operators.

"No PCR test will be required to fly to Montenegro," the airline said.