Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 22 May (BelTA) – The Belarusian International Media Forum has become a platform for the development of the common communication and humanitarian space, Information Minister Oleg Proleskovsky said while opening the 8th Belarusian Media Forum at the national Library. This year’s theme is “Partnership for the Future: Historical and Cultural Heritage as a Factor of Unity”, BelTA learned.

“The international forum has become a meaningful platform where we build long-term fruitful cooperation in the media field, share professional experiences and ideas for the solution of common problems, and form the common communication and humanitarian space. We all nurture fair and responsible journalism,” Oleg Proleskovsky said.

The Information Minister stressed the importance of the theme of the 2013 media forum: "In an era of rapid development of information and communication technologies, the cultural dialogue is the surest way towards each other.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Kupchina. "Common historical and cultural roots are the solid foundation for the development of the friendly relations in all areas. The theme of the forum is particularly relevant in the light of Belarus’ Chairmanship in the CIS, the motto of which “Integration for the good of the people,” said Deputy Foreign Minister.

The media forum participants were also welcomed by Minsk Mayor Nikolai Ladutko.

The media forum will stay open until 25 May. The plenary meeting will be held at the Mir Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on 23 May. Meetings of experts, arts workshops, and a summer school of journalism will be held as part of the media forum which will be built around the themes "Mass Media: Historical Mission to Preserve and Develop the Historical and Cultural Heritage,” and “Language and National Literature as Factors of Sovereignty of State and the Unity of Nations".

The Institute of Journalism of the Belarusian State University will host a summer school of journalism. In 2013, it will be arranged in the format of the press club to discuss the formation of a new image of cultural journalism. The experts will discuss the issues of improvement of professional skills of journalists, increasing the prestige of cultural journalism, and also the ways of drawing public attention to the problems and achievements of culture through the media. In addition, the participants will get acquainted with the country’s main cultural objects – The Yanka Kupala National Drama Theater, Bolshoi National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, and the Belarusian circus.

The program of the media forum will include the CIS international competition Art of Books. The competition that marks its 10th anniversary this year aims to expand international cooperation between book publishers of the CIS member states, improve the book art, popularize the best achievements of the CIS book publishing houses. The international jury will meet at the National Library of Belarus on 24 May to select the best publications in seven nominations: Commonwealth, My Country, Books for Children and Youth, Culture. Science. Education, Art Book, Published in the Commonwealth, Grand Prix.

The media forum will conclude with a trip to the Nesvizh Castle for an expert session “Sites of the world historical and cultural heritage in terms of the state regional development policy”.

Apart from the Information Ministry, the forum is co-organized by the Union State Permanent Committee, the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund, and the Belarusian Union of Journalists. The event is supported by the Foreign Ministry, the Culture Ministry, the CIS Executive Committee and others.