National Legal Internet Portal, Belarus
Sept 29 2005

Marina Dolgopolova: sincere bilateral interest in national traditions
is core of cultural cooperation between Belarus and Armenia

Cultural cooperation is an important component of the bilateral
relations between Belarus and Armenia, a component which has become
ever stronger over the recent years. Its core is sincere interest in
culture and traditions of the two peoples, a desire to promote
reinvigoration of what once was a single humanitarian space for the
today’s CIS countries, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenoipotentiary
of Belarus to Armenia Marina Dolgopolova told BelTA.

According to her the cultural cooperation between Belarus and Armenia
has notably invigorated over the recent years. Minsk widely
celebrated the 100th anniversary since birthday of a brilliant
musician Aram Khachiaturian. Last year Belarusian viewers got
familiar with the works of a famous Armenian Martiros Sarian. In the
near future the Belarusian capital is expected to host an exhibition
`Treasures of Echmiadzin’.

Yerevan held a large-scale photo-exhibition `The Heritage of Belarus’
which numbered 200 pictures illustrating centuries-old Belarusian
history. Today, Belarus and Armenia are mulling over the issue to
hold an exhibition of works of Mark Shagal. A book of his poetry has
already been published in Armenian.

According to Marina Dolgopolova, in 2004 for the first time Armenia
played host to the Days of the Belarusian Television organized by the
National State TV and Radio Company of Belarus and the Public TV and
Radio Company of Armenia. In May 2005 the return Days of the
Television of Armenia were held in Belarus.

The Public Television of Armenia broadcast live concert programs of
the international art festival Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk in 2004 and
in 2005. Besides, this year minister of culture and youth of Armenia
Ovik Oveyan was an honorary guest of this international forum. And
singer Kristi of Armenia participated in the contest of young
singers.

The diplomat believes that intensifying the cooperation between
Belarus and Armenia in culture promoted building up of the
legal-treaty base: in 2003 the culture ministries of Belarus and
Armenia concluded cooperation agreement and a plan of actions for
2005-2007 in 2004.

The television companies of the two countries signed the agreement to
bring the cooperation onto a new level. According to Marina
Dolgopolova, the move would let the citizens of the two countries to
learn more about socio-political, economic and cultural lives of the
two countries.

Marina Dolgopolova noted the role of the Belarusian diaspora in
popularizing the history, culture, national traditions of Belarus and
the Belarusian language in Armenia. Though being few (about 200
ethnic Belarusians) the community `Belarus’ with assistance of the
embassy takes an active part in the Slavic written language days,
children’s music festivals of the national minorities of Armenia, art
and folk art exhibitions. The community `Belarus’ was awarded
honorary diploma of the culture ministry of Armenia in 2004 at the
art festival of national minorities.