Jewish heritage tour I
DURATION: 5 DAYS IN MINSK


DAY 1
Arrive in Minsk. Half-day city tour of Minsk including architectural, historical and cultural monuments of the 17th-18th centuries, Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) - restored buildings of the 19th century, modern centre of the city, monuments to Janka Kupala and Jakub Kolas, new residential estates.

Folklore concert "Presentation of Belarus". Foreign tourists make acquaintance of the spirit of the Belarusian people, which finds its reflection in folklore, folk traditions and customs.

DAY 2
Jewish interest tour features the quarters where Jewish people used to live, the former GHETTO area, a place of mass execution of Jews during World War II, the "Yama" Memorial, the Synagogue, World War Museum. Meeting the former Ghetto prisoners.

Trip to "Maly Trostenets" Memorial, built on the site of the former death camp.
Attend Memorial Service at the Synagogue.

DAY 3
Tour to the Khatyn Memorial (60 km from Minsk), built on the site of the former village of Khatyn - one of the 186 Belarusian villages burnt to ashes by the Nazis during World War II.

Meeting at the Minsk Society of Jewish culture. The meeting is followed by a concert of popular Jewish music.

DAY 4
Full day Jewish interest trips to different regions of Belarus: Lida and Ivye, Miory and Glubokoye, Kobrin, Mir and Nesvizh, where Jewish people used to live (choice of the tourists).

Participation in Memorial meetings. Wreath and Flowers Laying Ceremonies.

DAY 5
Visit to a Jewish school. Meeting school students, school principles followed by a concert of Jewish national folklore.

Tour to Raubichi Folk Arts and Crafts Museum (22 km from Minsk).
Folk costumes of different regions of Belarus, pottery, weaving and wood-carving are on display there.

Gala dinner in the hotel restaurant or outside the city. Members of the Minsk Society of Jewish Culture are present.