Presentation of the book “The Republic of Belarus and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages”

 The book “The Republic of Belarus and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages” was presented on February 26, 2020 in the State Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature in Minsk. This publication was prepared and published within the framework of the joint project of the Council of Europe and the European Union "Promoting the standards of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in Belarus".

 During the presentation Ms Natalia Kutuzova, Head of the Center for Studies of Globalization, Integration and Social-Cultural Cooperation of the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, made a speech about the creation of the book and the content of the project.

 The book is a unique publication which contains information about the history of traditional national minorities in the Republic of Belarus; about Belarusian policies and legislation pertaining to minority languages; about the use of traditional minority languages in practice. The book also contains information about the provisions of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, which are covered by the legislation and practice of the Republic of Belarus.

 Head of the State Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature Mr Mikhail Rybakov, Head of the Republican Center of National Cultures Ms Olga Antonenko, Vice-Head of the Belarusian Gypsy Diaspora Mr Artur Gomonov, Head of the Belarusian Lithuanian Community Ms Vitaliya Kolesnikova, Chairperson of the Chishma Tatar-Bashkir Cultural Heritage International Public Association Ms Elvira Levshevich shared their impressions about the book and the process of its creation.

 The book “The Republic of Belarus and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages” was presented to Ms Victoria Dedok, Head of the Council of Europe Information Point in Minsk, for further placement in the library of the Information Point and possible provision to everyone.