Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

Belarus-themed costumes designed by Moscow-based artist Nina Kovalchuk will be presented at the Museum of History of Theater and Music in Minsk, BelTA learned from the National History Museum.

Visitors will be able to see Nina Kovalchuk's works in motion – a fashion show will take place at the opening of the exhibition. The exhibition will run from 18 October to 10 November. Nina Kovalchuk is a member of the Union of Artists of Russia, the Union of Abstract Artists of Russia, the Union of Folk Artists of Russia and other associations. Her personal exhibitions were held in Moscow, Cambridge (England) and Geneva.

In 2018 Nina Kovalchuk and Andrei Sazonov presented their collection of abstract paintings in Minsk. A year before, she had a joint exhibition with Andrei Sazonov and Iskander Ilyazov in the Belarusian capital. The exhibition project was titled Paintings and High Fashion.

An information day of NATO's Science for Peace and Security program took place in Minsk on 16 October, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.

The event was organized by the State Science and Technology Committee and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus with assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas took part in the opening ceremony. He underlined the importance of the fact that the NATO program targets a broad range of matters, including the enhancement of energy security and ecological safety, response to terrorist threats, cybersecurity. The diplomat also noted that Belarus has been taking part in the program since 1992.

In his words, the program represents a unique platform for non-military scientific cooperation of NATO member states and NATO partners. Nearly 40 projects involving Belarusian scientists and their colleagues from 42 countries have been implemented as part of the program primarily in the area of fundamental and applied research. Andrei Dapkiunas said he was confident the information day would foster the advancement of cooperation in science between Belarus and member states and NATO partners. The information day is also expected to make a good contribution to stronger mutual understanding and trust, which are in short supply in Europe and the world as a whole these days. The NATO delegation was led by NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges Antonio Missiroli.

The Science for Peace and Security (SPS) program is a NATO tool designed to foster the advancement of cooperation and dialogue with all partners through scientific research, innovations, and experience exchange. Security-related researches jointly pursued by a NATO member and a NATO partner receive funding and expert assistance as part of the program. Since its inception the program has established a broad international network of representatives of the scientific community and the expert community of NATO member states and NATO partner states. About 2,000 experts take part in events of the program every year.

In Chinese-Belorussian industrial park "Great Stone", in Smolevichi region, a factory opened for the production of internal combustion engines "MAZ-Weichai".

Chera, on October 14, the official input ceremony took place. Prior to this, a pilot batch of products has already been released here - a thousand samples.

At the same time, production capacity with a single-shift operation mode will be 10 thousand engines per year. And with increasing demand, capacity can be doubled. The cost of the project is 20 million dollars, 14 million were invested by the Chinese side.

The next stage of cooperation is the production of mechanical gearboxes. For this, a joint venture Fast MAZ was also created. It can earn in a year. The project cost is $ 17 million.

It is worth noting that by the end of this year the list of working enterprises of the industrial park will be replenished to 20.

The 6th international congress Library as a Cultural Phenomenon will take place at the National Library of Belarus on 16-17 October, BelTA learned from the organizers.

“This year the congress will gather about 400 delegates from eight countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. Among the participants are leading librarians, specialists of research organizations, educational institutions, producers of software, facilities and information products,” the National Library said.

The theme of the forum is Library Services in Modern Information Space. The delegates will discuss the role of libraries in the information infrastructure of the society, cloud computing technologies, innovative approaches to the organization of services for users and many more.

The program of the congress will include a meeting of the Council of Libraries of Belarus to discuss information cooperation, a plenary session, the seminar “Cooperation of Church and State Library Systems”, and also five sections.

The forum will feature the exhibition “Services and Resources of Libraries in the Electronic Environment”, the performance of the ensemble under the direction of Pavel Kharlanchuk, singer, composer and former participant of Pesnyary band Aleksandr Vislavsky.

Among the organizers are the Culture Ministry and the National Library of Belarus.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) and Russia's Lomonosov Moscow State University signed a cooperation agreement in Moscow during the first forum of the association of universities of Russia and Belarus.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) and Russia's Lomonosov Moscow State University signed a cooperation agreement in Moscow on 10 October, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia. The agreement was signed during the first forum of the association of universities of Russia and Belarus, the Friendship Days of Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) and Belarusian State University (BSU), and the inter-university forum of Belarus-Russia Union State “Education and Science in BSU and MSU: Traditions and Prospects”. “The events are aimed at enhancing comprehensive cooperation and strengthening Belarus-Russia integration processes,” the press service noted. The delegation of Belarusian universities includes scientists and rectors of the country's leading universities and is headed by BSU Rector Andrei Korol. The NASB delegation is led by First Deputy Chairman of the NASB Presidium Sergei Chizhik. Charge d'Affaires of Belarus in Russia Vadim Senyuta is also taking part in the events.

More than 300,000 tourists have visited Belarus via Minsk National Airport since Decree No.8 on the launch of visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens came into force, Head of Belarus' National Tourism Agency Valery Parashchenko told journalists, BelTA has learned.

Over 172,600 people have visited Belarus after the visa-free entry period was extended to 30 days (since 24 July 2018). Belarus' most valuable visitor markets include Germany, Italy, Poland, the US, and the UK. “We have seen a growing interest in Belarus as a tourist destination,” Valery Parashchenko noted. The Belarusian health resorts that participated in the recent travel exhibition in Tallinn reported a high demand for recuperation services. Belarusian health resorts offer high-quality services at lower prices. Some services are three or four times cheaper in Belarus.

“This makes our health resorts highly competitive,” Valery Parashchenko said. However, Belarus appeals to foreigners not only because of low prices, Chairman of the Board of the National Union of Tourism Industry Dmitry Skvorchevsky stressed. The number of wealthy visitors has also increased, including thanks to the visa-free travel program. Combining visa-free travel areas around Grodno and Brest opened new opportunities for including Belarusian sites in international tours. This is important for attracting tourists who prefer lengthy tours of Europe, for example, visitors from Asia, the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries. “Belarus is a bridge between regions. The classical route from Russia to Ukraine, Poland, and Germany crosses Belarus. These steps will help increase transit and diversify the market,” Dmitry Skvorchevsky noted.

Dana Holdings has become a general sponsor of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus. The corresponding agreement was signed in Minsk by the Belarusian NOC and the real estate, investment and development company, BelTA has learned.

“Cooperation between the Belarusian NOC and Dana Holdings will be mutually beneficial. The company has established itself well in the construction market of Belarus. It participates in many social events, including sports ones. We are confident that together we can implement many projects to support Belarusian sports and develop the Olympic movement,” Acting First Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko said commenting on the signing of the agreement of cooperation between the two organizations. According to Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dana Holdings Vibor Mulic, it is a great honor for the company to become the general sponsor of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and to support the development of Belarusian sports.

“After all, in sports, the same as in business, it is the strongest who always wins, and only those who work hard and set high goals become champions. We are proud of the achievements of the great Belarusian athletes. Gracing the podium, they make a huge contribution to the development of a healthy nation and the image of the country at the international level. High results are achieved thanks to high-quality training, modern equipment, diligence and support. Dana Holdings is no stranger to tireless work and, as a representative of big business, is ready to help future Belarusian Olympians. The support of sports and a healthy lifestyle is a strategic goal and a social position of our company,” said Vibor Mulic.

The 24th edition of the Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum will open at the indoor football center in Minsk on 8 October, BelTA has learned.

The forum will feature international exhibitions Energy. Ecology. Energy Saving. Electro (EnergyExpo' 2019), Oil&Gas Technologies, Atomexpo Belarus, ExpoSvet, Water & Air Technologies, and ExpoCity. The aim of the forum is to showcase modern equipment and technologies for production and distribution of electricity and heat energy, automated systems, energy and resource-saving technologies, and to promote innovative development of the country's fuel and energy complex.

The event will welcome more than 300 organizations from 16 countries. Taking part in the exhibition will be Energy Ministry, Industry Ministry, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Housing and Utilities Ministry, State Committee on Science and Technology, State Committee for Standardization, and Belneftekhim Concern. The business program of the forum will include forums, conferences, seminars, panel discussions, presentations of companies participating in the exhibition, where national and foreign experts will showcase modern technological solutions in energy, petrochemistry, energy saving and environment.

Themed events will highlight international experience in the implementation of the sustainable development strategy, public control of nuclear energy at the example of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, experience and opportunities to introduce mechanisms of energy service contracts, waste treatment, digital transformation of electricity and other topics. The Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum will stay open through 11 October.

Minsk offers an atmosphere where problems can be resolved without saber-rattling. The former president of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili made the statement while talking to reporters after meeting with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 7 October, BelTA has learned.

The Georgian guest remarked that the Belarusian capital is becoming a venue for hosting important international forums, including those to discuss security issues. According to the Georgian ex-president, it is very important in the current conditions of instability in the region and the world. Giorgi Margvelashvili believes: “Minsk is becoming a venue for serious international negotiations and forums. Taking into account these conferences, which traditionally develop in the Minsk format, one can say that Belarus' geopolitical position is a place where serious negotiations about future cooperation and future coexistence take place. It is taking shape and getting more profound in many areas already.”

According to the Georgian ex-president, it is necessary to move away from wars towards admitting there are independent countries and their interests need to be recognized. “It is something not only Georgians, Ukrainians, Moldovans, or Belarusians are interested in. It is a matter of stability in Europe,” he specified. “Minsk is creating an atmosphere where problems can be resolved without saber-rattling but through talking about rational decisions. Aleksandr Lukashenko has always upheld this position in his speeches – let's talk and create, let's restore destroyed bridges by recognizing each other's interests.” Giorgi Margvelashvili drew attention to the good ties that have been established between Belarus and Georgia. “I had an opportunity to convey the love of most of my friends, of Georgians for Belarus and Aleksandr Lukashenko personally to him,” the Georgian ex-president noted. Giorgi Margvelashvili described the dynamics of Belarus-Georgia relations as good. He mentioned Aleksandr Lukashenko had made an important contribution to them.

The first Chongqing restaurant in our country was opened in Minsk in a festive atmosphere. The event was attended by representatives of the regional executive committee, as well as employees of the center for the popularization of culture and tourism of Chongqing in Belarus. Thus, the Chinese side acquaints Belarusians not only with their traditional art and traditions, but also with real Chongqing cuisine.

- The cooperation between China and Belarus is developing rapidly, and the capital region is not lagging behind. Although the agreements in the Minsk region were signed with three large provinces of the Celestial Empire, in recent years, the most active relations are being established with Chongqing. The main role in the development of relations between nations is the interaction of people. Therefore, the opening of this restaurant will contribute to the popularization of Belarusian-Chinese relations, ”said the deputy chairmen of the regional executive committee Nikolai Rogashchuk during the opening ceremony.