Minsk 950th Anniversary Balloon Cup: 35 air balloons in Minsk’s skies

The opening ceremony of the Minsk 950th Anniversary Balloon Cup took place at Minsk Airport 1 on 8 September and brought together sportsmen from seven countries. The first launch was postponed due to strong winds but still the weekend was a big success. During the competitive flights residents of the capital and surrounding areas were able to see a fascinating spectacle when 35 teams of hot air balloons congratulated the city by "coloring" the skies over Minsk. The aeronauts took part in the musical and firework show near the Palace of Sports. They produced fire flares from gas burners to the music.