Press releases

MOSCOW, 16 October (BelTA) – A hall of the Belarusian diaspora was solemnly opened in the Business and Cultural Complex of the Embassy of Belarus in Russia on 16 October, BelTA has learned.

Sergei Kandybovich, president of the national and cultural autonomy of Belarusians in Russia, said during the opening ceremony: “Today is a lucky day for Belarusians of Russia. This gift vividly illustrates the care of Belarus’ leadership for their compatriots.”

Charge d’Affaires of Belarus in Russia Yuri Yaroshevich said that the Belarusian diaspora hall is expected to host a broad range of events. The number includes Belarusian language courses, lectures and seminars about Belarusian history, science and culture, various creative, business, and scientific events, concerts, art exhibitions.

On 16 October the Belarusian diaspora hall was complemented by the opening of the Belarusian center of reference legal information and a virtual reading room of the National Library of Belarus.

According to the latest population census, about 520,000 Belarusians live in Russia. It is the largest Belarusian diaspora in the world. In 1999 the federal national and cultural autonomy of Belarusians in Russia was created. At present there are about 70 registered public organizations of Belarus in the Russian Federation. They are focused on establishing ties with the ethnic native land, preserving national cultural and spiritual traditions.