Тема 8. Minsk

There are a lot of exciting cities in the world, which are famous for beautiful old

buildings and monuments, museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls or big

modern shopping centers. Minsk is neither as big as the world’s famous capitals nor can it

boast having as many tourist attractions. But in many respects it’s a remarkable city and

there are a lot of things to see and do in Minsk. With its wide avenues and large squares

Minsk looks so modern that you sometimes forget that it is an ancient city with a long

dramatic past. Here are some facts from the past of our capital and the most general

characteristics of Minsk as the main political, industrial, economic, scientific and cultural

center of the republic.

The city stands on the river Svisloch. Its area is over 200 sq. miles and is home to

approximately 2 million people. The history of Minsk dates back to the year of 1065

when it was first mentioned in an ancient manuscript in connection with a battle at the

Nemiga River. The name of the city is believed to come from the name of the river

Menka. According to other versions, the name derives from the word «Mena»

(«exchange») as in ancient times there used to be a barter market on the right bank of the

river Svisloch. The city was destroyed almost entirely in World War II by the Nazis and has since

been rebuilt. When WW II started it took patriots 1,100 long days to clear Minsk of the

fascist invaders. Neither numerous executions nor terror practised by the vandals could

get the heroes to surrender. For the exceptional courage and valour displayed by Minsk

people in their struggle against Hitler aggressors the сity was conferred upon the honorary

title of «Hero-City» in 1974.

Minsk has traditionally been a manufacturing city from its earliest origin, and its

ceramic industry may lie at the origin of the legend of a giant miller Menesk who baked

stones into bread. Papermaking, light engineering, the tobacco and motor industries,

textiles, brewing and foodstuffs were the basis of the city's growing prosperity. In the 20th

century the tractor works, as well as electronic and precision instrument-making, the

machine tool factory and plants like the Kamunarka confectionery assumed increasing

importance, and it is perhaps for these products that Minsk is the best known in the

international market. Hundreds of Minsk industrial enterprises produce automobiles,

motorcycles, TV-sets and radio-sets, watches and refrigerators and other goods.

Traditionally the geographical position of Minsk has served to promote it as a centre of

communications. From the tenth century onwards. The city was an important station for

river traffic. It also lies on the main land bridge between the cities of North Germany and

the resources of Moscow, the Urals and Asia. With the advent of the railways, the

importance of Minsk was enhanced as a main station on the line linking Berlin and

Moscow and the Trans-Siberian network. Developed air communications offer flights by

the national airline Belavia, and by Lufthansa, Lot and others. The city has a good

network of buses, a modem underground railway and really available taxis.

Every year students from all over the country come to Minsk to study at its universities

and institutes. The Belarusian Academy of Sciences and more than fifty branch research

institutes can be found in Minsk. The major educational establishments, the largest of

which are the BSEU, the BSU, the Polytechnic Academy, the Minsk Pedagogical

University, train skilled specialists not only for the republic's needs. Many young people

come to Minsk from different countries to study for degree in various fields of

knowledge.

As far as tourist attractions Minsk has the traditional parks and museums, as well as a

great amount of commemorative sculptures including monumental statues of Yakub

Kolas, Yanka Kupala and Maxim Bogdanovich, Belarusian authors and poets, and many

others. Minsk theatres, dance and song companies are well known all over the country.

My favourite place in Minsk is Victory square. With its spacious plaza and elegant

residential surroundings, Victory square in Minsk is one of the finest squares in Europe

and one of the largest (its dimensions of 225 by 175 metres). In the shadow of the

Obelisk, which commemorates more than one victory in our country's history, burns the

eternal flame in honour of those who died in the defence of their land against foreign

invaders.

The central Obelisk, intended as a monument to Victory in the «Great Fatherland War»

of 1941-45 was erected in 1945 to a design by H. Zaborsky and V. Karol.

The total height of the Obelisk is 40 metres, and it's ornamented with horizontal bands

of Belarusian folk decoration. Coloured glass, bronze and mosaic are used.

With the surrounding apartment buildings, all constructed in the neoclassical style and

equal height, the greenery of the Svislach riverside gardens and the ribbon-like Francis

Skarina Avenue, the Square and its Obelisk make up a finely proportioned ensemble.

Minsk offers a variety of entertainment, namely the Opera and Ballet theatre, the

Yanka Kupala State Academic Theatre, the Gorky Russian Drama Theatre, the Museum

of the History of the Great Patriotic War, the Art Museum and Yanka Kupala and Yakub

Kolas Museums, and the Circus.

The Minsk ballet is world renowned, and it is not hard to see why. To begin with, they

have an amazing repertoire with different ballets and operas offered every night. The

lighting and seats are magnificent and the music is flawless. The building itself is a

wonder as it, aside from its beautiful interiors. The Minsk Opera and Ballet House was

one of the only structures left standing after World War II.

While not as impressive or stylish as the Ballet, the Minsk Circus is not to be missed.

It is housed in an interesting structure, with its rotunda, domed shape and Corinthian

columns.

Opposite the Circus lies Yanka Kupala Park; it is a favourite meeting place for artists

and musicians. Painters sketch portraits of and display their works along the river

embankment. Organized concerts of music and dancing take place at weekends and on

holidays.

Known as the "Yellow church" on account of its yellow and white walls, the Church of

S.S. Peter and Paul dates from 1613, making it the oldest surviving church in Minsk. The

Church of SS. Simeon and Helena, known as the "Red Church" was built in 1908-1910 to

commemorate the death of two young children of the Belarusian aristocrat family. It is

interesting for its beautiful stained glasswork in the rose windows to Belarusian motives.

The most striking building in Independence Square, however, is the Government

House. Construction work began in 1930 and was completed in 1934. It is the seat of

govenment officials.

The shops are numerous and there are several markets. I enjoy visiting the soccer

stadium «Dynamo», which has a large open-air market around its perimeter where one.

Can find nearly any clothes, music or appliances one wants.

That is Minsk, young and old, beautiful and full of pride, a city that is situated in the

heart of Belarus where all roads meet.