In the latest episode of Metropolitans, Euronews reporter Damon Embling visits Minsk – the capital of Belarus – as it gears up to host this summer’s European Games. Thousands are expected to visit the city. But what awaits them?
In the latest episode of Euronews' Metropolitans, Euronews reporter Damon Embling visits Minsk – the capital of Belarus – as it gears up to host this summer’s European Games. Thousands are expected to visit the city. But what awaits them?
ADVERTISEMENTTaking centre stage at the games will be the city’s landmark Dinamo Stadium. Opened in 1934, it has undergone a renovation to accommodate world class sporting events like the European games. The CEO of the Minsk European Games Organising Committee, George Katulin, sees the redo as symbolic of new beginnings.
"This is not only the heart of the stadium but the heart of the Games. The historical place for every citizen of the city, and now it's completely different, especially inside.”
No stranger to big sporting spectacles, the Dinamo stadium previously held football games for the 1980 Summer Olympics (hosted by Moscow). The stadium has been refurbished and modernized with new facilities: "starting from the sports equipment and finishing with the press centre and the lighting system."
Katulin says there is already a “great demand” for tickets.
"We're expecting to have 4,000 of Europe’s best athletes here. Of course, more than 8,000 volunteers will help us to organise this event and a lot of tourists."
Minsk's old town
Former biathlete Darya Domracheva - who has won six Olympic medals - took us on a bike ride through her native Minsk. The cycle path takes us past Minsk's old town – which was reconstructed after World War 2.
Domracheva - a European Games ambassador - loves to come here especially in the summer.
"All of this area, becomes very alive in the summer, full of young people. Good music festivals and, I think, almost every weekend, there's live music. With beautiful jazz music, classical music. So, it's a very special atmosphere and very nice to spend here warm summer evenings."
Arts Scene
Theatre enthusiast Maria Vasilevich – who also holds the titles of Miss Belarus and Miss World Europe, says the city is jam-packed with culture.
“In Minsk, you can find a lot of different theatres, cinemas, museums. We have a lot of different arts areas. It's very popular, especially among young people to visit different interesting performances and to create them. And I think you can find something interesting for you."
With the European Games around the corner, Minsk has plenty on offer for visitors.
The games run from the 21st to the 30th of June.
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