The Republican organizing committee for the celebration of the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk will be established in 2011

December 1, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. A republican organizing committee for the celebration of the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk will be established in 2011, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets announced today at a press conference, BELTA correspondent reports. "Polotsk is the cradle of Belarusian statehood. Its best representatives - enlighteners, scientists, writers Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Francysk Skaryna, Simeon of Polotsk - are known far beyond their native land. However, the phenomenon of Polotsk as a historical, spiritual, ethnic, cultural, trade and economic region has not been fully revealed," the governor said. Today, Polotsk also plays a significant role in the economy and culture of both Vitebsk region and Belarus. Undoubtedly, it deserves that the celebration of its anniversary in 2012 be bright, large-scale and memorable. In 2011, a republican organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk will be established. It will include representatives of ministries and local authorities. The program of anniversary events is already being prepared. In addition to the traditional festival of medieval culture "Rubon", the festival of opera art at the walls of St. Sophia Cathedral, the festival of chamber and organ music "Bells of Sophia", water shows with the use of the beautiful panorama of the Western Dvina and St. Sophia Cathedral, theatrical performances, including historical reconstructions, are planned. As Alexander Kosinets emphasized, the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk is an event not only of regional but also of republican significance, therefore the head of state signed Decree No. 647 on the approval of the Comprehensive Program for the Development of Polotsk for 2008-2012. It provides for 37 measures, for which it is planned to allocate Br191.93 billion. It is worth noting that this program includes not only the implementation of new non-standard projects for the development of the city's tourist infrastructure, the opening of new museums and monuments, but also addresses issues of developing the city outskirts, restoring order in the private sector, improving residential areas, and social facilities. During the implementation of the program, the information and cultural center of the Polotsk cultural and tourist zone was opened, the martial arts sports complex "Olimpiets" started its work, and the monument to the Heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812 was restored and opened. "Much remains to be done within the framework of the program. Its implementation will be the best gift for the jubilee city. There are resources for this," Alexander Kosinets noted. -0-