In our article dedicated to the occasion, our correspondent writes: ‘Early one July morning, a stranger approached a group of journalists, who had gathered before the beginning of a solemn Divine liturgy under an open sky, at Nemiga, on the site of ancient Minsk Citadel. He said, “Holiday greetings to you! I wish you well and good spirits.” He congratulated us, smiled and moved on to where the participants of the finishing procession had gathered in front of the main stage for a prayer service. At least 50,000 Minsk residents and pilgrims from 11 eparchies of the Belarusian Exarchate attended that day, alongside those from abroad. Some arrived by car while others came in specially rented buses for the 1,025th anniversary celebrations, marking the arrival of Christianity to Rus. It was really a Holiday of Sincere Feeling, as the article is entitled. President Lukashenko met the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, in Minsk, alongside primates and representatives of local Orthodox churches, at an informal gathering at the Memorial Church in honour of All Saints. The important guests said many kind words about Belarus, Minsk and its residents, while voicing their appreciation for the nation’s loyalty towards
Orthodox traditions. Thousands of people gathered around the church, as if to prove that our people cherish a Divine spark in their souls. Read more in Spiritual Element of Faith.
Belarus is working hard to build relations with China, which remain friendly, while being filled with business pragmatism. Various joint projects have been established, while our long-held trade liaisons are being gradually supplemented by those of a military-technical nature. The top leadership of both states is finding time to help promote economic interaction, as was the goal of the recent visit to China by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. Read more about Belarusian-Chinese collaboration in New Breakthrough in Partnership Relations.
Other examples of mutually beneficial international collaboration are explored in this issue, such as activity at the Mogilev Free Economic Zone. Lithuanian Vakarų Medienos Grupė and SBA Concern — leaders in furniture manufacture — have officially opened an industrial complex to process timber at our FEZ, investing over 100m Euros for a two-year period. Set to be one of the biggest Lithuanian investors in Belarus, the move also creates over 1,000 jobs, with exports under the globally known brand name of IKEA.
In July, the President of Belarus visited both enterprises and their workshops, speaking to representatives and noting that Belarus always welcomes decent investors, being ready to support them. He views them as making a solid contribution to the national economy, while ensuring the arrival of new technologies and global experience. Lithuania and Belarus are neighbours, so business partnerships are logical and have been gaining momentum of late. According to Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, direct investments into Belarus reached almost 276m Litas last year.
Of course, it’s always possible to expand partnerships, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Belarus, H.E. Mr. Evaldas Ignatavicius, asserts. He notes that Belarus and Lithuania are currently realising 15 investment projects — worth $650m. Lithuanian businessmen are showing increased interest in establishing production enterprises in Belarus, with the focus on regional collaboration, as is seen from our article entitled Good Business for Neighbours.
Sometimes, investments appear unexpectedly, as you can read in Runway to the Future. A former military aerodrome is becoming a large logistics centre, having fallen into decline since the USSR’s collapse; many military bases ceased operation, with regiments disbanded and barracks and ammunition stores emptied. With no planes taking off and the military disbanded, the town of Bolbasovo (near the Vitebsk Region’s Orsha) experienced difficulties. It’s aviation regiment finally left in 1994, leaving Orsha Aircraft Overhaul Plant, located in Bolbasovo, to take over the premises. Now, the town’s future is firmly connected with the site, which hopes to become one of Europe’s largest logistical centres.
Dzianis Ramaniuk is always ready to look at life from an unexpected angle, being a passionate photographer. He shoots Belarusian landscapes, which he views as divinely ordained, like icons. How can we not agree? His huge albums depict Belarus from flattering, new angles, as you can see in Land of Sky Colour.
BY Viktor Kharkov
