An Agreement on establishing twin-city relations between Vitebsk and Niš, the third largest city in Serbia, has been signed. The document will facilitate the development and strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation between representatives of industrial enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, culture, education, tourism, and recreation.

The core of the region's agricultural complex is the Dubrovensky, Orshansky, and Tolochinsky districts. Due to climatic conditions, soil fertility rating, and other objective prerequisites, they have a number of advantages over other regions and should become "breakthrough" in ensuring the Vitebsk region's agriculture reaches a qualitatively new level of operation and economic development.

Young investigator of the 1st investigative department of the city office of the Investigative Committee, Sergey Sakhno, mainly investigates cases related to grievous bodily harm. Some of them are shocking even to seasoned officers.

Seventeen managers were invited to an interview with the chairman of the regional executive committee this week in connection with appointments to positions and approval of contract extensions as part of a "personnel day." Four of them replaced previous managers and took charge of enterprises. All of them have solid experience in their respective fields and are well acquainted with the situation and problems in their industries.

Seven Belarusian non-governmental organizations became the winners of the World Bank's Social Development Fund competition in 2009.

The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, addressed his best wishes to the young talents, athletes, and children from large and low-income families gathered at the Christmas tree. He noted that the state has done everything necessary to implement the "Children of Belarus" program. For example, this year, Br50 billion has been allocated in the Vitebsk region for the improvement, modernization, and strengthening of the material and technical base of gymnasiums, schools, and boarding schools, as well as for the construction of kindergartens. All this is done to maximize the potential of children. "In turn, you respond to this with your achievements," the governor emphasized, addressing the children. Alexander Kosinets proudly noted that the Vitebsk region leads among the regions of the republic in the number of winners of republican Olympiads. In 2009, 101 schoolchildren brought diplomas of the first, second, and third degrees to the region's award collection, and three became winners of international Olympiads.

According to him, viewers can expect a spectacular opening of the festival, featuring solo concerts by Yuri Antonov and Elena Vaenga. The performance of Thomas Anders, the ex-soloist of the band Modern Talking, is also planned. There will be surprises too: new festival projects will include a concert by the National Concert Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Finberg with the participation of Raimonds Pauls, and a night of Italian pop music performers.