Belarusian House is moving… nowhere!

The Belarusian House was established by the NGO Association of Belarusians of the World Batskaushchyna (Fatherland) in accordance with the Ruling of the Soviet of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 2 April 1992 (with the amendments dated 23 June 1999) in order to satisfy the needs of the large Belarusian Diaspora abroad.

In June 2006, at a meeting with the deputy major of Minsk the association was advised to find a new office for the Belarusian House on its own, after which the city authorities would consider its proposal. Batskaushchyna examined more than 50 buildings in different parts of Minsk. As a result it presented a variant it considered as acceptable to Minsk City Executive Committee. However, Minsk CEC still hasn’t solved the question whether the Belarusian House can move to the new location or return to its old office in Revaliutsyinaia street, 15 after the end of repairs that are going on there.

By 28 July Batskaushchyna had to move out of the building where Belarusian House was situated. Most of the furniture was taken to garages, valuable books and archives are now saved in private flats. At the same time, the association won’t be able to find a new place for the House without the official agreement of Minsk CEC.