The Swedish Embassy in Belarus is expected to open before the year is out, Stefan Ericsson, the Head of the Minsk Office of the Swedish Embassy in Moscow, told the press conference timed to the National Holiday- the Swedish Flag Day, on June 4.
“We would like to open the Embassy before the year is out,” Stefan Ericsson noted. “Possibly, the ambassador will be appointed in the near future,” the diplomat added.
Stefan Ericsson also noted that every year the number of the Belarusians who would like to visit Sweden grows. The number of the issued visas exceeded 3.5 thousand. At present, the Swedish visas for the Belarusian citizens are issued in the Swedish Embassy in Moscow. In 2007, the Swedish Embassy expanded the cooperation with Belarusian tourist agencies: at present the Belarusians may receive the Swedish visa via five tourist companies.
Belarus and Sweden actively develop the cultural cooperation. This country annually hosts the Days of Swedish Culture timed to the National Holiday of Sweden – the Swedish Flag Day. This year the cultural events will be divided into four sections: literature, cinema, photo and music. The Literature Days of Sweden which were held in Polotsk, Luninets and Baranovichi opened the Swedish cultural programme in Belarus. Within the framework of the Days, Minsk is playing host to two photo-projects: an exhibition of well-known Swedish photographer Jens Lasthein White Sea – Black Sea (from May 28 to June 29) and an exhibition of the works of Swedish novices Balancing between Stockholm and Minsk (from June 14 to July 5).
A festival of contemporary Swedish cinema will take place in the Minsk move theater Tsentralny on June 4-13. Belarusian cinema goers will see eight films produced in 2006-2007. The films of different genres will be subtitled in Russian.
On June 7, Minsk will play host to a concert New Women’s Music with the participation of Swedish women’s groups.
Written by belta.by
