Копыльский районный исполнительный комитет

MINSK, 1 August (BelTA) - An international camp for Japanese children has opened in Minsk, BelTA learnt from the Educational Work Department of the Education Committee of the Minsk City Council.
The visit of the delegation from Japan’s city of Sendai, the sister city of Minsk, will last until 9 August. The children will visit Gymnasium No.19 in Minsk, Belarusian State Museum of Vernacular Architecture and Ethnic Heritage Strochitsy, the Minsk State Palace of Children and Youth, the Stolitsa shopping mall, Nesvizh Castle and agricultural farmsteads in Minsk Oblast. In 2011 and 2012 Minsk also welcomed Japanese guests.
Minsk and Sendai began developing bilateral ties in 1972. In April 1973 a delegation from Sendai headed by Mayor Takeshi Shimano arrived in Minsk to sign a joint communique. The Minsk City Council made a decision to name a park near the Belarusian State Academic Music Theater in Myasnikova Street “The Public Garden named after sister city Sendai.” The decision was timed to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between Minsk and Sendai. An alley of mountain sakura was laid out there later. Since 2001 the Belarusian sports delegation has taken part in the international semi-marathon in Sendai. The two cities exchange regular official delegations, too. It has also become a tradition to hold the Days of Culture of Minsk in Sendai, Days of Japanese cartoons in Minsk and other events.