Card 20. Let’s talk about Belarus

Card № 20

Let’s talk about Belarus.

1. What attracts tourists to Belarus?

Today Belarus is becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination. Different exciting routes have been offered both to foreign and local travelers. I believe tourists come to Belarus with different aims.

Belarus is an ancient country with a long and interesting history. For those who want to learn about the history of this country it’s a must to visit reconstructed palaces of Nesvizh and Mir to plunge in the atmosphere of medieval Belarus. They can learn the architecture, costumes, music and customs of that time there. Grodno with its Old and New Castles, Palace and park ensemble is also worth visiting. I think every Belarusian region has something to show foreigners.

In my town it would be ….

I’m sure that lots of tourists come to Belarus to see and enjoy its unique virgin nature. Due to the state care we have such untouched forest massifs like Belovezhskaya and Nalibotskaya pushchas, Beresinsky and Prypyatsky National reserves where tourists can see hundreds of species of birds, animals, plants.

And as you know nowadays Belarus is becoming a well-known sporty country. Sport fans stay mostly in the capital. But apart competitions they can visit Minsk museums and enjoy traditional Belarusian food.

2. Are symbols of Belarus known to foreigners? Why or why not?

I’m not sure. As well as I don’t know the national symbols of Hungary or Turkey. Why should they know?

Of course, Belarusian bison are unique as well as Chineese pandas, but pandas are the symbol of the World Wildnature Fund. That’s why everybody knows them. As well as “Union Jack” or “stars and stripes”. Yet Belarus is a rather young nation it’s winning its position on the world’s map.

But I think those who are interested in hockey learnt “Volat” during the World hockey championship in 2014. And I’m absolutely sure that after 2021 much more people will learn about our motherland

3. What questions will you ask a journalist from the BelTA News Agency?

• What qualities must a journalist have?
• Do you specialize in any particular news?
• Can you predict national events?
• What is difference between newspaper and TV reporter?
• What was the most interesting or exciting report?

4. What advice will you give to people who want to visit Belarus?

To my mind Belarus is a European country. Our people are really hospitable and ready to help to anyone. The main problem a foreigner can meet is the language. Not many Belarusians over 30 can speak a foreign language. So it’s better to have a phrasebook if they travel individually.

Belarus is a unique [ju´nik] country which is known for its rich and colourful heritage and culture. The best starting point for travelling, I think, is Grodno. Besides, Grodno is the first city on the way from Europe.

Then I would advise to visit Novogrudok, Mir, Nesvizh. It’s impossible to come to Belarus and not to visit its capital . Such places as Polotsk and Vitebsk are connected with certain events and names. Our famous Belarusian guides will tell a lot of interesting things about the history and culture of the country.

5. They say that the Belarusians language is losing its popularity. What do you think about it?

I don’t agree with this opinion. In my view, Belarusian has become much more popular than it was 10-15 years ago. More and more young people especially with higher education try to speak Belarusian. National language is one of the indexes reflecting originality and soul of the people. I know there are cafes in Minsk where people speak only Belarusian. To my mind our mass media must speak and write in Belarusian and give the model of speaking native language. As for me  I’d love to speak the language of my Motherland but still I’m not ready to because of mistakes.

Автор: Екатерина