MOSCOW, 5 January (BelTA) – The Day of Belarus was marked at the Christmas Fair in Saint Petersburg on 4 January, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia. The Christmas Fair has been held in Russia’s northern capital seven years in a row. This year this major cultural and charity event has gone international. Nineteen countries presented their national New Year and Christmas traditions on Ostrovsky Square. The participants came from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, China, Lithuania, Slovakia, the United States, Ukraine, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland and Sweden. Taking part in the solemn opening ceremony of the Day of Belarus was Saint Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko. He praised the mutually beneficial partnership between Belarus and Saint Petersburg. Chairman of the organization committee of the fair Nikolai Yakovlev paid attention to the broad variety of products presented by Belarus. The most popular Belarusian products include meat products of Minsk and Borisov meat-packing plants, confectionery of Kommunarka and Krasny Pishchevik, Smolevichi-made felt boots. Performing at the Christmas Fair were Belarusian pop singer Georgy Koldun, folk dance companies Bely Ptakh and Belyye Rosy. The Day of Belarus concluded with festivities, karaoke and a disco.

БЕЛТА