BelarusBelarus

A beginners guideA beginners guide

Where is Belarus?Where is Belarus?

Belarus is a country in Eastern Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe, it was once part of Russia Europe, it was once part of Russia (until 1991).(until 1991).

Gusford Primary School

BelarusBelarus

9.7 million people live in Belarus (50.8 million 9.7 million people live in Belarus (50.8 million people live in England).people live in England).

The capital of Belarus is Minsk. 1.8 million people The capital of Belarus is Minsk. 1.8 million people live there (7.3 million people live in London).live there (7.3 million people live in London).

Belarus covers 207,600kmBelarus covers 207,600km22 (England covers (England covers 130,195km130,195km22).).

The National flag, anthem and The National flag, anthem and emblememblem

Facts about BelarusFacts about Belarus

The people of Belarus are called Belarusians.The people of Belarus are called Belarusians. There are two common languages: Russian and There are two common languages: Russian and

Belarusian.Belarusian. The currency is called roubles.The currency is called roubles.

Eating Belarus styleEating Belarus style A Belarusian diet consists mainly of vegetables, A Belarusian diet consists mainly of vegetables,

meat (especially pork), and breads. meat (especially pork), and breads. Foods are usually either slowly cooked or stewed. Foods are usually either slowly cooked or stewed. A typical Belarusian eats a very light breakfast A typical Belarusian eats a very light breakfast

and two hearty meals, with dinner being the and two hearty meals, with dinner being the largest meal of the day. largest meal of the day.

To show hospitality, a host traditionally presents To show hospitality, a host traditionally presents an offering of bread and salt when greeting a an offering of bread and salt when greeting a guest or visitor. guest or visitor.

Popular drinks in Belarus include Russian wheat Popular drinks in Belarus include Russian wheat vodka and kvass, a soft drink made from malted vodka and kvass, a soft drink made from malted brown bread or rye flour. brown bread or rye flour. KvassKvass may also be may also be combined with sliced vegetables to create a cold combined with sliced vegetables to create a cold soup called soup called okroshkaokroshka..

Traditional dressTraditional dress The traditional Belarusian The traditional Belarusian

dress originates from the dress originates from the 800 years ago. 800 years ago.

Because of the cool Because of the cool climate, clothes, usually climate, clothes, usually composed of flax or wool, composed of flax or wool, were designed to keep the were designed to keep the body warm. body warm.

They are decorated with They are decorated with ornate patterns. ornate patterns.

Each region of Belarus has Each region of Belarus has developed specific design developed specific design patterns. An ornamental patterns. An ornamental pattern used on some pattern used on some early dresses is currently early dresses is currently used to decorate the hoist used to decorate the hoist of the Belarusian national of the Belarusian national flag.flag.

The Chernobyl disasterThe Chernobyl disaster

On April 26On April 26thth 1986 a nuclear power station 1986 a nuclear power station exploded in Ukraine, a country 12 miles from the exploded in Ukraine, a country 12 miles from the border of Belarus.border of Belarus.

The explosion sent a cloud of poisonous gases The explosion sent a cloud of poisonous gases and chemicals high into the air.and chemicals high into the air.

The cloud spread for hundreds of miles.The cloud spread for hundreds of miles.

The effect on BelarusThe effect on Belarus

The poisonous gas and The poisonous gas and chemicals fell to Earth.chemicals fell to Earth.

They got into the They got into the rivers and streams, rivers and streams, and into the soil that and into the soil that the people of Belarus the people of Belarus were growing their were growing their vegetables in.vegetables in.

This led to the This led to the Belarusian people Belarusian people being poisoned.being poisoned.

The effects on the peopleThe effects on the people

Due to the chemicals in the air, Due to the chemicals in the air, drinking water and food many people drinking water and food many people became ill.became ill.

People in Belarus die younger due to People in Belarus die younger due to the effects.the effects.

Children in Belarus can be born with Children in Belarus can be born with disabilities.disabilities.

Our VisitorsOur Visitors

Children are visiting for 6 weeks.Children are visiting for 6 weeks. They are looked after by host families.They are looked after by host families. They have visited the seaside and They have visited the seaside and

Colchester Zoo.Colchester Zoo. During their visit the children will also go During their visit the children will also go

to see a dentist as they don’t have the to see a dentist as they don’t have the opportunity to do so in Belarus.opportunity to do so in Belarus.

By spending time in England drinking By spending time in England drinking ‘clean’ water, eating ‘clean’ food and ‘clean’ water, eating ‘clean’ food and breathing ‘clean’ air they will live longer.breathing ‘clean’ air they will live longer.

Your ChallengeYour Challenge

A group of children will spend the A group of children will spend the day with year 4 next Wednesday.day with year 4 next Wednesday.

Your challenge is to think of ways to Your challenge is to think of ways to communicate with the Belarusian communicate with the Belarusian children and make them feel children and make them feel welcome at Gusford.welcome at Gusford.

We could learn some phrases to

say to the children