THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

1. Let’s talk about Belarus. What can you tell foreigners about our country?

The Republic of Belarus is a sovereign country situated in the centre of Europe. It borders on Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and the Ukraine. Total area is 206,700 square kilometers. The population of the country is 9,4 million people. More than 70% of them live in cities and towns. Minsk is the capital of the country. It has 1,9 million inhabitants. There are six regions; the regional centres and the biggest cities are Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev.

The country is mostly made up of flat landscapes with some hilly highlands. The highest mountain is mount Dzerzhinskaya. In the south of the country one can see a lot of swampy areas – the famous Polessye. One-third of the country is covered with large forests – they are called pushchas. Belarus is the largest inland country in Europe, but there are a lot of rivers and lakes here. The most important of them are the Dniepr, the Western Dvina, the Neman, the Prypyat and the Bug; the largest lake is Naroch.

There are two national languages in the republic, Russian and Belarusian. 

Belarus is a developed industrial country. Its factories produce tractors, fridges, watches, TV-sets and bicycles.

Belarus is known all over the world for its hospitable, smart and tolerant people, ancient historical monuments and rich cultural heritage.

2. What do you know about the political system of Belarus?

Belarus is a presidential republic. The President, Alexander Lukashenko, is the head of state. The Parliament is called the National Assembly. It is divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. Members of the House of Representatives are elected by people and the members of the Council of the Republic are chosen by local councils. The members of the National Assembly discuss and pass new laws. The government, headed by the prime-minister, runs the country. It is answerable to the President and the Parliament.

3. Can you name any symbols of Belarus? 

The national symbols of Belarus are the national flag, the national emblem and the national anthem. The flag is made of two horizontal stripes, which are red and green, and a vertical stripe with a traditional white and red Belarusian ornament. The main elements of the national emblem are clover and flax flowers, golden ears of wheat and a rising sun. They symbolize the fact that Belarusians are hard-working and peaceful people. The national anthem was composed by Nestor Sokolovsky and the lyrics were written by Michail Klimkovich and Vladimir Korizna. It reflects Belarus as a sovereign country and stresses patriotism and unity of the nation.

Of course, Belarus also has unofficial symbols, which can be seen in pictures and on souvenirs. The European bison/auroch or zubr is the biggest animal in Europe. Belaveszskaya Puscha is its home. The corn flower can often be seen on the fields of Belarus. It is associated with the Belarusian soul and spiritual values of our people. The white stork symbolizes the purity of people. Nests of storks are a frequent sight in Belarusian villages. They are a good sign and a reflection of family ties and values in our country. The potato is not only a part of Belarusian cuisine. The name “Bulbash” means a diligent and tolerant person with a good sense of humour. 

4. What places would you advise to tourists in Belarus? 

I live in Grodno. It is a beautiful city with the largest number of historical monuments in Belarus. Here tourists can visit museums, castles, theatres, churches, parks, shops, cafes and exhibitions. Let me describe the most interesting places in our city. The Kalozhskaya Church is one of the oldest churches in Belarus. Its style is very original and there are no such churches in the world. The Old Castle was founded by Vitovt. Stefan Batory loved Grodno so much that it became the royal residence. The New Castle is a famous museum. Farny Cathedral or the Church of St. Francis Ksaver has the oldest working clock in Eastern Europe. Grodno is the home of the Festival of National Cultures and one of the best places to visit in Belarus.

5. What questions do you expect to hear about our country from a foreigner?