Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus

The meeting was attended by heads of national government bodies, the Standing Committee of the Belarus-Russia Union State and its representations in Minsk, public associations and others. Studios in Moscow joined the event online.

The program included thematic expert discussions “Common Legal Space, Defense and Security - the Foundation of the Union State”, “Economic Potential of the Union State: Status and Development Ways”, “Social Projects and the Youth as a Resource for Innovative Development of the Union State”. 

Speaking at the session “Social Projects and the Youth as a Resource for Innovative Development of the Union State” Belarus’ Culture Minister Anatoly Markevich said that “Belarusians have no people closer in historical and cultural terms than Russians”. The Belarusian-Russian relations are improving every year, with cultural ties between the regions of Belarus and Russia becoming more active. Practical results and concrete joint plans are annually considered at the board meetings of the Culture Ministries of the two countries. 

Joint work to preserve the memory of the Great Victory and the events of the Great Patriotic War makes our relations especially strong. The large-scale projects implemented within the framework of the Union State testify to the fact. These are the Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier, which was inaugurated by the presidents of the two countries in June 2020, and also the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex, where a large-scale reconstruction project was implemented. The project received a special award of the President of the Republic of Belarus.

Development of the creative youth potential is of utmost importance for bilateral cooperation. This year plans are in place to revive such projects as the Youth Creativity and Together we can do More festivals, and also tours of the Belarusian-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra. Direct contacts between educational cultural institutions will be further expanded using such forms as master classes for talented youth, joint student plein airs, creative competitions and scientific conferences held in both the countries. Each of the cultural universities of Belarus has more than 20 agreements on cooperation with Russian educational institutions, which certainly contributes to a worthy exchange of creative and pedagogical experience.

Joint work in the protection of historical and cultural heritage is also of crucial importance for Belarusian specialists. The minister thanked the Russian side for its assistance in the restoration of unique objects of historical and cultural heritage, namely the Savior Transfiguration Church in Polotsk and the Corpus Christi Church in Nesvizh.