Press releases

GOMEL, 28 July (BelTA) – A famous park near the Sozh River in Gomel which was laid out around the Paskeviches palace in the middle of the 19^th century will change its name on 1 August, BelTA learned from Head of the Gomel Oblast committee of natural resources and environmental protection Vasily Maslak.

A place of recreation popular with Gomel residents which has been called the Lunacharsky Park of Culture and Recreation for more than 80 years will be named after the Gomel Park and Palace Complex. Such a decision was made by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. “The park will change its name. However, the status of the protected territory where all economic activities are forbidden will be preserved. The park will also expand its territory by 3.3 hectares,” Vasily Maslak remarked.

Different species of trees and bushes, including exotic ones, were used to lay out the park. It was one of the best examples of garden art not only in Russia, but also in Europe. Several trees are preserved to this day. Workers of the park are proud of its species diversity. The park has red-leaf maple tree, pedunculate oak, decorative willow, dwarf birch, cedar pine. There are also such exotic plants in the park as Gingko biloba, tulip tree, magnolia, Japanese sakura.

Anatoly Lunacharsky was the first Soviet People’s Commissar of Education. It is unknown if he had any connection to Gomel or visited the city.