Vitebsk and Slovak Kosice will become twin cities
Agreements on establishing twin-city relations between Vitebsk and the Slovak city of Kosice, as well as between Vitebsk District and Holice, are planned to be signed during the international Belarusian-Slovak business forum, which will be held on July 8-10 in the regional center, reported the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in the Republic of Belarus, Alexey Sychev, to a BELTA correspondent.
In addition to administrative-territorial units, higher education institutions of Kosice and Vitebsk intend to sign cooperation agreements, he added.
The agenda of the business forum, which has been confirmed by over 50 Slovak firms and companies, includes a plenary session and work in sections: "Innovative Development and Investment Projects of Vitebsk Region", "Light Industry. Ideas and Technologies", "Innovative Projects of Higher Education Institutions of Vitebsk Region", a contact and cooperation exchange, and visits to regional enterprises. In addition, a Belarusian-Slovak tourism fair will be held, where representatives of the tourism industry of the two countries will be able to present their services not only to the participants of the business event, but also to all residents and guests of the city, which is simultaneously hosting the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" with the business forum during these days.
"We hope that direct contacts between business representatives of the two countries will allow for more active work in areas of mutual interest, such as oil refining, energy, food industry, mechanical engineering, and a number of other sectors," noted Alexey Sychev.
A cultural program is also planned during the forum. On July 8, the Vitebsk Art Museum will host the opening of a solo exhibition by the renowned Slovak artist Pavel Pop, titled "Homage to the Great Masters" (this is a series of portrait drawings created in 2008, dedicated to the world's greatest artists and their most famous works). On the same day, a creative evening with Slovak film actor Milan Kňažko will be held at the "Mir" cinema, followed by screenings of films featuring him over the next three days. Additionally, a Slovak homestead will be open at one of the festival venues of "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk," where everyone will have the opportunity to taste traditional national dishes, added Alexey Sychev.
This event is being held for the first time in the city on the Dvina River. Its initiator is the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic in the Republic of Belarus, located in Vitebsk, and the organizers are the Regional Executive Committee and the State Enterprise "Vitebsk Regional Marketing Center."