Culture, sport and tourism

Around 4,000 British nationals visit Belarus every year for tourism and nature. And a Belarusian television poll recently found that Britain in the country that Belarusians most want to visit.

Football

The UK and Belarus enjoy good sporting links. In 2008, Belarus played football against England four times: a 2010 World Cup Qualifier; Womens UEFA Euro 2009 Qualification  (home & away) and UEFA European Mens U19 Championship Elite Round. Belarus also played Northern Ireland Senior Women in the UEFA Euro 2009 Qualification Round in July 2008.

As a part of the series of events surrounding 2010 World Cup Qualifier match, we helped to organise a first football tournament for integrated student teams "BE Friends". 

Events

Although there is no British Council in Belarus, we support a range of cultural and educational events. We have hosted evenings devoted to such British traditions as Halloween and St David's Day. In June 2008 we organised an art competition for young Belarusians to celebrate the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Last February, the "experimental" Churchill evening, dedicated to the life of the famous British statesman was organised together with young Belarusian actors. Further exhibitions and exchanges are planned.

Belarusian Society for Protection of Birds

We have been cooperating with Belarusian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB) to help preserving unique Belarusian birdlife.

In 2009, we supported publication of the interactive "Birdwatching Guide". The book is based on the educational materials developed by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This guide is widely used by BSPB for training of educators and students.

In May 2009, we worked together with Belarusian Society for Protection of Birds to organise Birds Festival in Turau, celebrating biodiversity of unique Turau meadows. It is expected that the festival will become annual and attract international audience of birdwatching enthusiasts.