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Gomel to be awarded Belarus and CIS Capital of Culture certificates on 28 February

GOMEL, 25 February (BelTA) – Gomel will be presented the Belarus’ Capital of Culture 2011 certificate and the CIS Capital of Culture 2011 certificate in an official ceremony on 28 February, BelTA learnt from the culture department of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee. The invitations to attend the event have been sent to members of the government of Belarus, heads the CIS Council for Humanitarian Cooperation, the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund, representatives of the Culture Ministry of the Russian Federation, members of the CIS council of permanent representatives of states - members at the statutory and other bodies of the Commonwealth, figures of culture and art. Among the honored guests are representatives of Polotsk, who was the first Capital of Culture of Belarus in 2010, and Ulyanovsk, CIS Capital of Culture 2011 in Russia. On this day Gomel will hold a number of events as part of the Capital of Culture of Belarus project. In particular, the Gomel palace and park ensemble will host an exhibition of works of People’s Artist of the USSR Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulia. A gala concert will be held at the Regional Drama Theatre. The Capital of Culture of Belarus project was launched in early 2010. It is aimed at popularizing the most outstanding cultural achievements of the country. The historical roots of Gomel are connected with the Radimichy tribe. The first mention of Gomel dates back to 1142. Situated on the route “from the Variangians to the Greeks”, Gomel has witnessed many important events in the history of East Slavic states from the 12th to the 20th centuries. Today, Gomel is Belarus’ second biggest city in terms of population (493,700), land area and industrial production. The city is proud of its 94 historical and cultural heritage sites. Historical and cultural values include 180 objects, including 167 architectural monuments, 6 history and culture specimen, 3 archaeological sites and 4 works of art. The most precious is Rumyantsev-Paskevich palace and park ensemble, a specimen of architecture of the 18th -19th centuries. The most interesting monuments of the city are the buildings of the former religious school (late 18th - early 19th century), a Russian restaurant (early 19th century), the Lancastrians school (early 19th century), doctor’s house (early 19th century) and the buildings of the hospital (early 20th century), etc.

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