At a recent press conference in Minsk, Belarus’ Deputy Culture Minister, Irina Driga, noted that work on the Cultural Code will be complete by 2015

At a recent press conference in Minsk, Belarus’ Deputy Culture Minister, Irina Driga, noted that work on the Cultural Code will be complete by 2015

The Code, which is currently unrivalled worldwide, will include legislation across all spheres of culture and may provide a good example to wider national and international legislation.

2015 will see several interesting cultural projects launch, including a major project, entitled Choral Meeting (featuring Belarusian and foreign groups) — organised as part of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Meanwhile, the National Art Museum of Belarus will be launching a globally significant project: the creation of a museum district. The Castles of Belarus programme will continue, renovating castles in Grodno, Krevo, Novogrudok and Olshany. The fresco inside 12th-century Saviour Transfiguration Church in Polotsk is also to be restored.

A Contemporary Arts Centre is to open in Belarus in 2015, similar to those in Russia and European states. Its task will be to support contemporary arts and its launch will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the famous UNOVIS creative association in Vitebsk — initiated by Chagall and Malevich, to whom the world’s avant-garde movement is obliged.

Also, in 2015, the National Belarusfilm Studio will launch its contemporary complex — able to compete with those in Europe.