VERY INTERESTING: BELARUS

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

Weird and wonderful facts about Belarus

Sandwiched by Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia – Belarus occupies a fairly unexplored corner of Eastern Europe.

But with beautiful primeval forests to be discovered, delicious potato pancakes to be eaten and enormous bison to be spotted, it’s time it got a ping on your travel radar.

If you’ve never considered visiting Belarus before (which admittedly I hadn’t either), these brilliantly weird and wonderful facts will definitely spark some intrigue…

1. Around 40% of Belarus is covered by forest.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘Lungs of Europe’, Belarus is home to one of the last and largest remaining parts of the huge primeval forest that once covered the European Plain – the Białowieża Forest. You’ll also find several stunning national parks to explore here, ideal for avid walkers and fans of the fresh air. Oh, and the green stripe on the Belarusian flag actually represents its forests.

2. Independence Avenue is the country’s longest street.

Stretching over 15 kilometres across the capital, Independence Avenue passes through five different squares including Victory Square and October Square. Throughout history, it has not only grown in length and width but has also had 14 name changes – more than any other street in Minsk.

3. Forget Pancake Day, it’s all about Pancake Week!

Called Maslenitsa Week, this Eastern Slavic holiday is celebrated in the last week before Lent. Pancakes are rustled up in every home to be enjoyed with friends and family, as well as being served up at local street festivals. Belarusians don’t shy away from creative toppings either, from ground poppy seeds sweetened with sugar to hearty mushroom stew – the possibilities know no bounds.

4. They love a bit of sport.

With 23,000 sporting venues open to the public across the country, if Belarusians aren’t playing sport chances are they’re watching it. Favourites include football, handball, ice hockey and tennis. A little fun fact for you now… Well-known tennis player Victoria Azarenka comes from Belarus and is the only Belarusian tennis pro (female or male) to ever win a Grand Slam singles title.

5. It’s impossible not to be charmed by the locals.

Belarusians are some of the warmest, friendliest and most hospitable people you will ever meet. Even if they can’t speak your language they will go above and beyond to help you in absolutely any way they can.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking