A Belarusian fraternal association will be created in the region. This decision was made at a meeting of Smolensk residents who are natives of the Republic of Belarus, held at the branch of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Smolensk.
The purpose of creating the association is to promote the preservation and enrichment of traditions that have developed and are forming among Slavic peoples in their historical interaction with other nationalities and cultures of Russia.
An important task of the association is the joint holding of cultural and educational events in the Smolensk region, the study of its historical heritage, and the organization of national evenings.
Based on the results of the meeting, an organizational committee was created, which will take on the preparation of the necessary documentation and the creation of the association’s structure. It will be headed by Vice-Governor Sergei Krivko.
“Currently, about 40,000 Belarusians live in the region, but they are in no way represented in the social and cultural life of the Smolensk region,” noted Sergei Krivko. “We were surprised to learn that there is no registered organization in the oblast representing one of the most numerous nationalities in Russia. Creating a fraternal association will give Belarusians living on the territory of the Smolensk Oblast the opportunity to actively participate in the social and cultural life of the region and of both states.”