Opinions & Interviews

IRKUTSK, 4 October (BelTA) – The Belarusian diaspora occupies a special place in Russia's Irkutsk Oblast, Governor Sergei Levchenko said at a meeting with Belarusian and Russian journalists on 4 October, BelTA has learned.

According to the governor, Irkutsk Oblast is home to representatives of nearly 150 nationalities. “The issue related to the development of cultures of different nations is one of our priority tasks,” he said.

Today about 50,000 Belarusians live in Irkutsk Oblast. According to Sergei Levchenko, Irkutsk Oblast is among few Russian regions which are home to many Belarusians.

“The Belarusian community is socially active. They regularly hold different festivals and fairs,” the governor added.

Belarusians came to Irkutsk Oblast mainly in the early 20^th century during the Stolypin reform when they went to develop Siberia.

The governor met with Belarusian and Russian journalists as part of the media tour “The Belarusian diaspora of the Baikal region: Role, activities, uniqueness” organized by the Standing Committee of the Belarus-Russia Union State, Belarus' National Press Center and the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency.