WELCOME TO BELARUS!

1. WELCOME TO BELARUS! Introduction Presentation for World Puzzle Federation December, 2007, Minsk, Belarus

2. LOCATION. Geography Data. Belarus is a landlocked country in the centre of Europe. It covers an area of 207.600 sq km. Measured by its territory Belarus ranks 13th in Europe and is roughly the size of Great Britain and Romania. Population (2007est.) 9.724.723. Capital and the largest city: MINSK (1.770.000) The distance between Minsk and the capitals of neighboring states is as follows: Vilnius – 215 km, Riga -470 km, Warsaw – 550 km, Moscow – 700 km, Kyiv – 580 km.

3. General Info • Form of Government Republic • LanguagesRussian, Belarusian • ReligionsOrthodoxChristians (70 %)Catholic (15 %) Jewish (9%) Other (6%) • National Currency Belarusian Ruble (BYR) • Time GMT + 2

4. History in the pocket • 862 AD –the town of Polotsk was first mentioned in chronicles as a center of local tribes • 10th century, 2nd half– The Polotsk Principality was created • 10th century, end – the Turov Principality was founded • 1230 – Belarus was incorporated into the Great Duchy of Lithuania • 1569 – Belarus was incorporated into Rzecz Pospolita • 1772–1795 – Rzecz Pospolita together with Belarus were annexed to the Russian Empire • 1918 – the Belarusian People’s Republic was proclaimed • 1919 – The Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic was created as part of the USSR • 1941–1945 – Belarus together with the USSR participated in the World War II • 1945 – Belarus became one of the founding members of the United Nations • 1990 – Belarus became a sovereign state • 1994 – Belarus adopted Constitution and elected its first President

5. Natural Resources Much of Belarus is a hilly lowland with forests, swamps and numerous rivers and lakes. There are wide rivers emptying into the Baltic and Black Seas. Its forests cover over one-third of the land and its peat marshes are a valuable natural resource. The largest lake is Naroch, 31 sq mi (79.6 sq km).

6. 8 Wonders of Belarus The Sacred Cross of St. Euphrosinia of Polotsk The Bible of Francisk Skoryna (16th century) The Statute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) (16th century) The Church of Syncovichy (15th century, Grodno Region) The Castle of Nesvizh (16th century, UNESCO List of World Heritage) The Castle of Mir (16th century, UNESCO List of World Heritage) The Belts of Slutsk (18th century) Belovezhskaya Pushcha, National Park

7. Worthy of sightseeing : DUDUTKI DUDUTKI is a live museum: • Of material culture, where past and future are brought together; • Of technology, where each exhibit brought to life; • Of the old way of life , where collections of exhibits help one imagine the general picture of common life; • Of handicrafts • Of old cars (the best collection in Belarus)

8. National Cuisine • The natural geographical condition of Belarus contribute to the wide use of such products as: mushrooms, berries and herbals, apples, pears, river fish, crayfish, and milk. • One of the most typical features of national Belarusian cuisine is the wide use of potato. It can be used as a separate dish or as a garnish. Belarusian people are especially fond of traditional potato pancakes. – “draniki”. • Belarusian cuisine is also characterized by wide spread use of meat: beef, veal, game and especially pork and fat. Fried fat serves as a relish to various flour and potato meals.

9. 1st day All day - Arrivals in “Minsk-2” International Airport Transfer to the hotel with guide assistance Check-in at the hotel Free time 19:00– 21.00 WELCOME-Party 2nd day 08:30 Breakfast 09:30- 13:00 Sightseeing tour of Minsk including architectural, historical and cultural monuments of the 17th – 18th cent., historic part of the city – Trinity Suburb 13:00 -14:00 Lunch 14:00 - 20:30 Half-day trip to “Dudutki”. Dinner in folk style. 21:00 - 22:00 Q&A (about the puzzles) 3d day 07:30 - 09:30 Breakfast 09:30 - 10:00 Team photo session 10:00 - 12:30 Championship official opening and competition 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch 14:00 - 17:30 Competition and WPF meeting 19:00 - 20:30 Dinner 4th day 07:30 - 09:30 Breakfast 09:30 - 12:30 Competition and WPF meeting 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch 14:00 - 17:30 Competition and WPF meeting 19:00 - 20:30 Dinner 5th day 07:30 - 09:30 Breakfast 10:00 - 12:30 Final Tests 13:00-14:00 Lunch 14:00-19:00 Free time. 19:00 Awarding Ceremony. Farewell Party. 6th day 07:30 - 09:30 Breakfast 10:00 - Departure World Puzzle Championship, Minsk (Belarus)Agenda Draft

10. Accommodation. City Centre Hotel BELARUS***

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12. Accommodation. City Boundaries. Minsk International Education Centre (IBB)

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14. Accommodation. Suburb. Hotel “Yunost” Health-Improving Center (20 km from Minsk)

15. Why in Belarus? • Stay somewhere unforgettable • Immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery • Feel the touch of ancient times • Drink and eat in fine pubs and restaurants • Seek out the urban buzz • Discover a village dream • Enjoy this country …… JUST AS WE DO !!!!!

16. SUMMARY Thanks to warm charm of the locals, the astonishing beauty of the Belarusian countryside and a land that is steeped in history, the intoxicating atmosphere of the lush country draws you in from the moment you step on its soil. It’s so easy to get here, and there’s no need to worry if you can’t fit all sights in your schedule – there’s always next time!

17. Thanks for Your attention! And WELCOME TO BELARUS!