"Minsk - the historical, cultural and educational center of Belarus"

Minsk is the capital of Belarus. Its population is about 2 million and the city occupies 220 sq. kilometers. Minsk is one of the oldest cities of the CIS countries. It is more than six centuries older than St. Petersburg and more than 80 years older than Moscow.

The history of Minsk begins in the mid-11th century (1067). That time the city was located on the Nemiga river, it was put into a canal because it became a narrow stream by the year of 1966. The Nemiga was mentioned for the first time in the chronicles in the "Tale of Prince Igor", where the battle on the Nemiga between the Polotsk and the Kievan Princes in 1067 was described. It was one of the earliest literary documents of Slavic origin.

Since ancient times Minsk was not only the centre of the crafts, but a highly developed transport and trading centre. The legend says that the name Minsk originates from the word "mena" (the old Russian for 'exchange'). Starting with the early 12th century, the city in the centre of present-day Belarus as situated on the main route known "from the Varangians to the Greeks", was a crossroads for goods delivered from Europe via Minsk to Russia and Ukraine. As existed no money those days, the goods passing through the city along the water route were exchanged for whatever the inhabitants of the traditional Russian "Grad" could produce or grow: kitchen utensils made of clay, wooden pieces of furniture, dairy and meat products, flax linen, embroidered towels, etc.

The history of Minsk goes back to ancient times, beginning with the Polotsk Principality in the 10th century. From the 13th up to the 16th century, the territory of the Republic was the core of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, including Belarus, Ukraine and a small part of Russia, in which Belarusian was the official language. It was one of the largest, most powerful and flourishing states in Eastern Europe. Namely those days (Renaissance period in Belarus) gave birth to an outstanding publisher of Belarusian origin, who was the first to translate a great number of books, and the Bible in particular, in Belarusian language. Moreover, his contribution to the history, geography and culture of Belarus was highly estimated by placing his portrayal in one of the rooms in the Padya University of Italy, where the most prominent people of the epoch, having glorified their country, are represented. Starting with the mid-16th century, Belarus was under Polish-led Kindom-the Rzecez Pospolita, where the national language of the Belarusian people was banned. Since that time the ancient city of Minsk got its today's name "Minsk".

The next period in the history of the city is known as Russian. Minsk, as the capital of the Russian Empire's province, began accepting immigrants from Germany, Italy, Spain. The last phase, starting in the year of 1918, was named Soviet. Belarus became inseparable part of the 25 Socialist Republics, and Minsk, as many other cities, was turned into a Soviet town.

Due to its geographical position the city of Minsk was destroyed several times through the centuries. First, by the Tatar-Mongol hordes, then the Swedish troops of Charles 12th, by Napoleon's Army in 1812. The World War II brought the greatest losses, when 83%of the city was in ruins. Miraculously, Minsk was able to restore its population from only 40.000 after World War II to its present population of 1.700.000. During a sightseeing tour of Minsk the visitors notice its unusual for the CIS countries cleanness and neatness. No wonder the people get only bright and unforgettable impressions of the city of Minsk.

Minsk of today is based on the centuries - old national culture. One of the oldest theatres in Belarus - the National State Academic Theatre named after Yanka Kupala - the great poet of Belarus and founder of the Belarusian literary language. It was built in the downtown of Minsk by the end of the 19th century - in 1889. There are also other theatres in Minsk: the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the M.Gorki State Russian Drama Theatre, the Musical Comedy Theatre, the Belarusian Children's Theatre, the Puppet Theatre.

Most of the museums of Minsk are closely connected with the history of the city. They are over 14. The Museum of World War II, the Art Gallery, the Museum of History and Culture of Belarus, Folk Arts Museum, Literary Museum of Janka Kupala and Yakub Kolas are the most popular among the visitors.

There are 208 secondary schools, 500 pre-school establishments, 24 specialized secondary schools and 30 vocational schools in Minsk.