Culture of Belarus

People of Belarus

The people of Belarus were greatly influenced by the Soviet rule, the traces of which can be still found among them - like over 90 percent of the population speak only Russian, while the native Belarusian language remains confined to the rural areas alone. The Belarusians can be broadly divided into five ethnic groups- the people of original Belarusian descent, Russians, Poles, Ukrainians and Jews. Known for their strong family ties, the people of Belarus are also great sports lovers and excel

in gymnastics and rowing. Other popular sports include Soccer, basketball, and ice hockey.

Arts, Culture and Music of Belarus

Belarus is famous for its opera and ballet, which always have the audience asking for more. There are theatres like the Opera and Ballet Theater in Minsk, which holds regular and well-attended performances. Belarus is also famous for musical comedy, which is held at the popular Theater of Musical Comedy Minsk. Besides this, their love for music has many orchestra groups performing every now and then. Drama also plays a central role in the culture of Belarus, with the leading drama theater being the Yanka Kupala Beslarusian State Academic Theater, located in Minsk. Other major theaters include the Gorky Russian Theater in Babruysk, and the Yakub Kolas Belarusian State Academic Theater in Minsk. Apart from all this, there is another theater at Minsk known as Vol'naya Stsena, which focuses on Belarusian drama and classics.

Flag of Belarus

The flag of Belarus consists of a red horizontal band at the top and a green horizontal band, one-half the width of the red band at the bottom. A white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears a Belarusian national ornament, red in colour.
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Economy of Belarus

The economy of Belarus has the contribution of approximately 5.3 million people, which make up for the labor

force, out of which 35 percent are employed in industry; 21 percent in agriculture and forestry; and 40 percent in services such as trade and transportation. The years between 1991 and 1996 saw high average annual rates of inflation, which severely caused hindrance in the economic growth of the country, which in turn drove up prices for food and services. In the same period, annual output fell in almost all the sectors of the economy. Most of the industries, including farming and manufacturing, are owned by the government and the year 1996 saw the private sector's share of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) being estimated at 15 percent, the lowest of all Eastern European countries. In 2001, the GDP was an estimated $12.2 billion in which trade and other services accounted for 50 percent of GDP; industry, including mining and manufacturing, 39 percent; and agriculture and forestry, 11 percent

Information on Belarus, Its Geography & History

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Culture of Belarus