Encouraging the development of national minorities' cultures

Belarus is home to over 140 nationalities. There are 180 public national-cultural associations representing 28 nationalities. They have been engaged in information sharing, creative and social activities. They have held about 500 events dedicated to historical dates, famous figures of history and culture, as well as national festivals, concerts, presentations, etc. In 2015, the leaders of the Ministry of Culture of Belarus participated in the meetings of the interdepartmental working group on the improvement of the state policy in the sphere of national relations under the Commissioner for Religions and Nationalities. The Republican Centre for National Cultures has published analytical materials on the national minorities. A number of events dedicated to the peculiarities of the national languages, alphabets, ornamentations, national and state symbols, anniversaries important figures in culture and history, traditional holidays and rituals have been held. In 2015, the national associations of the Azerbaijani, Armenians, Afghani, Greeks, Dagestani, Georgians, Jews, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Romanies, Chuvashes, and others have been working effectively in cooperation with the governmental agencies and public cultural institutions. Creative teams and national-cultural associations travelled to their historical homeland to participate in seminars, conferences, festivals and master classes. The state support channelled through the Republican Centre for National Cultures enabled functioning of 7 creative teams. The Centre has been providing trainings in the Georgian, Korean, German, Polish, Tatar and Bashkir languages. The Advisory Board of the Republican Centre for National Cultures comprises representatives of 26 nationalities living in Belarus. Traditionally, the Republican Festival of National Cultures is held in Belarus, which engages all the national minorities living in the country. The festival promotes the rapprochement of cultures and intercultural dialogue.