The anniversary of Polotsk will be a celebration worthy of the city's history and great future - A. Poznyak

May 25, Polotsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The anniversary of Polotsk will be a celebration worthy of the city's history and great future, said Chairman of the Polotsk City Executive Committee Alexander Poznyak in an interview with a BELTA correspondent. Polotsk turns 1150 years old. This land has a rich historical past, which is connected with the formation of Belarusian statehood, Orthodoxy, culture, and education. "The anniversary date is a good reason for reflection: who Belarusians are in history, what we have achieved, and what we can do for our country," the mayor believes. Polotsk is not just the spiritual center of Belarus, but also a major industrial city. Its enterprises have increased production output by 2.5 times and improved labor productivity compared to January-April last year. Sales profitability was 17%, the highest indicator among the cities of the region. The results of the real sector of the economy have made it possible to increase the average monthly salary: according to forecasts, it will amount to Br3.3 million in May. The output of innovative products in the city as a whole exceeded 20% of the total shipped volume. A positive foreign trade balance structure has been ensured. Trade and economic cooperation has been established with 45 countries. The city's enterprises are constantly carrying out reconstruction and technical re-equipment of production, which allows expanding the range and improving the quality of products. For example, OJSC "Polotsk-Steklovolokno" is implementing investment projects this year, which are included in the list of the most important in the region. Among them are the creation of production of competitive thin electrical insulating and structural fabrics, as well as the construction of a workshop for the production of special-purpose materials and a wastewater treatment plant complex. Small and medium-sized businesses, which employ 13% of the economically active population, make a significant contribution to the development of the real sector of the economy. Polotsk is worthily celebrating its 1150th birthday and has prepared many pleasant gifts for its residents and numerous guests. The series of festive events will be opened by the concert "Polotsk My, My Memory and Honor...". It will be held on the main square of Polotsk - Freedom Square. The concert will feature the Belarusian State Ensemble "Pesniary", Honored Artist of Belarus Inna Afanasyeva, the National Academic Folk Choir of the Republic of Belarus named after Tsitovich, the Belarusian State Honored Choreographic Ensemble "Khoroshki", and the vocal ensemble "Chisty Golos". On the same day, the ensemble "Khoroshki" will give a concert on the main city square. The program includes numbers from the golden fund of the creative team staged by People's Artist of Belarus Valentina Gaevaya, which have become part of the treasury of Belarusian choreography, as well as the best instrumental numbers and songs performed by the orchestra and vocal soloists. Artists of the "Khoroshki" ensemble will take part in a festive procession through Polotsk in costumes of the gentry of the 16th-17th centuries. Concerts, folk craft exhibitions, and national cuisine dishes will also await guests at other venues. Everyone will find something interesting and unusual for themselves, promise the organizers of the celebrations. The Year of Book will be marked by the literary and musical program "A Lamp Lit by God for the World". The first day of the celebrations, May 25, will conclude with a colorful fireworks display. And the celebrations themselves will last until June 5. About a thousand guests will come to Polotsk to congratulate it on its anniversary. Among them are high-ranking officials of Belarus, members of the government, senators and deputies, famous natives - members of the Polotsk community, representatives of diplomatic missions. More than a hundred media representatives will cover the celebrations. -0-