MINSK, 28 December (BelTA) – The Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries organized over a hundred literature, music, history and geography events, themed evenings, exhibitions and roundtables in 2016, Nina Ivanova, the head of the Belarusian Friendship Society, said during the meeting of the board of the organization on 27 December, BelTA has learned.
Nina Ivanova emphasized that the activities of the Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries in 2016 were aimed at promoting the achievements of the Belarusian and world's culture, strengthening the bilateral ties with foreign countries, foreign public associations and research centers, and bolstering public diplomacy. The traditional Days of Culture, events to celebrate the history and culture of partner countries, and roundtables with the participation of specialists and leaders of foreign partner organizations drew many participants.
The Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries marked the 90th anniversary of its founding in 2016. The celebrations included a meeting of the board of the Belarusian Friendship Society with the participation of its most active members and friends, a screening of a new documentary about the organization, publication of the brochure “Belarus. 90 Years of Public Diplomacy”, and an exhibition of works by renowned Belarusian artists.
In 2016, the House of Friendship in Minsk also hosted events to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The events were organized in cooperation with the Children of Chernobyl Fund of Germany's Lower Saxony and the Belarus-Germany society. Concerts and exhibitions were organized in nine German cities in 2016 as part of the Days of Belarus in Germany. Representatives of the Children of Chernobyl Fund attended all those events to call for support for Belarus' efforts to recover from the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy.
The Belarusian Friendship Society also organizes health-improving trips for Belarusian children living in areas contaminated with radiation in cooperation with foreign partner organizations.
The Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries coordinates the work of some 40 societies promoting Belarus' friendship with different countries. The meeting of the board of the Belarusian Friendship Society commended the activities of the Belarus-Austria, Belarus-Vietnam, Belarus-China, and Belarus-Russia societies that bolstered the exchange of delegations in 2016. For instance, Belarus hosted delegations from China, Austria, Poland, Germany, Vietnam and Russia. As for the work with the youth, the Young Diplomat club organized many events for school and university students.
The Belarusian Friendship Society has plans to hold many events and projects in 2017, including Days of Culture, roundtables, and themed evenings. It will continue the effort to intensify international ties and establish twinning relations with cities and regions of different countries, since twinning agreements contribute to the development of Belarus' trade and economic ties.
