Some Interesting Facts About Belarus

Public Holidays

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day  
January 7 Orthodox Christmas  
March 8 International Women's Day
March 15 Constitution Day (adopted in 1994)
April 29 Orthodox Good Friday
May 1 Labour Day
May 2 Orthodox Easter Monday
May 9 Victory Day (World War II) & Mothers Day  
May 10  All Saints Day
July 3 Independence Day
November 2 Dzyady (Remembrance Day)
November 7 October Revolution Day
December 25 Catholic Christmas

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday

Customs & Duties

The following are duty free: 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg tobacco products; 2 litres of alcoholic beverages; perfume for personal use and other goods valued at US$2,000.

Upon arrival you will have to fill out a form stating all that you are bringing into the country. Keep this safely as you will have to produce the same when leaving.

Electricity

220 volts, 50Hz AC European two-pin plugs are the norm. Carry adaptors, in case you need them.

Post & Communications

International phone call facilities are available only from private lines, hotels, post offices and call centres. Ask the hotels you are staying in and they too may be able to organise this for you. Postal services are disappointing; the only option then is to use courier services.

Weights and Measures

The Metric system applies.

Tipping

Porters expect a tip of US$1-2; waiters expect 5-10% of the bill as tips

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English Language Media

For those of you who love your English daily with your early morning cuppa, Belarus isn’t very accommodating. There aren’t any local newspapers or radio stations in English, but you could catch up on what’s happening round the globe at BBC or Voice of America on radio. Belarusian Radio and Belarusian Television both have their hub in the capital - Minsk.