By the size of its territory Gomel region is the largest one in Belarus. This is a land of rich history and cultural heritage. The cities, towns and villages of the region count over 3,000 amateur art groups with over 30,000 amateur artists. 240 of these groups have been conferred with the title of "people's" and "model". The best of them are laureates of national and international festivals and contests, they honorably represent their art in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Norway, Poland. These groups include: Gomii vocal-choreographic group, Radunitsa folk music group (Mozyr district), Radimichi folklore-ethnographical group (Gomel), Paleskaya Zorachka group (Mozyr), Paletki ballroom dancing group (Gomel), Liritsa instrumental group (Rechitsa), and many others.

The international festivals organized in the region, such as Sozh Round Dances, The Land Under White Wings, Slavonic Theater Meetings, The Music Of Hope, The Renaissance Of A Guitar (classical music festival), The Slavonic Brotherhood, enjoy great popularity.

The land takes rightful pride in its natives, which include: writers Ivan Melezh, Ivan Shamiakin, Boris Sachenko, playwright Andrey Makayonok, poets Anatoly Grechannikov, Dmitry Kovaliov; artists Moiseenko, Nissky, Zvenigrodsky, Vaschenko; composers Turankov, Lukas, Gladkov.

As of today, the region counts 3 colleges, 3 drama theatres, a puppet-show, a Philharmonic Society, a folk art center, a regional museum, Lenin universal library, Gomel State Circus, Slavonic specialized library, Gomel public cultural center, 813 clubs, 776 public libraries, 21 museums, 76 children's art and musical schools.

Turov

Turov - the center of Turov land - was one of the leading economic and cultural centers of Gomel land in the Middle Ages. A fragment of the most ancient book find on the Belarusian territory - The Gospel of the 11th century - was found here. Bishop Kirill Turovsky (about 1130-1182), a philosopher, preacher, author of numerous sermons, prayers, which make up the golden fund of Christian Orthodox writing, lived and worked in Turov. In 1993 a monument to the great Slavonic thinker was erected in the town-type settlement of Turov.

Rumiantsevy-Paskevichi Palace

Rumiantsevy-Paskevichi Palace, an architectural monument of the 18th-19th centuries, is one of the chief places of interest in Gomel. The construction of the Palace was launched by great Russian commander, field-marshal general Piotr Rumiantsev-Zadunaisky (1725-1796), who received Gomel as a present from Catherine II in 1775. After his death the estate in Gomel was inherited by his son - Russian Chancellor of State, earl Nikolai Rumiantsev. It is difficult to overestimate his contribution into the forming of Gomel as a European city in the early 19th century.

In 1834 the Palace was bought by field-marshal general, earl of Erivan, duke of Warsaw Ivan Paskevich (1782-1856).

In the first half of the 19th century the forming of the architectural-park ensemble in Gomel was completed.

In 1919 a museum was opened in the Palace. Unfortunately, time preserved far from all of its decorations, however, the memorial items, which were parts of the collections of its owners before 1917, remain pride of the museum.

According to Gomel Governor Alexander Yakobson, today Rumiantsevy-Paskevichi Palace is "a unique architectural pearl of Gomel region".

Opening the object after restoration will allow Gomel region to create one of the best museum complexes in the Republic of Belarus, which will harmoniously combine historical expositions and wonderful palace interiors.

In 1996 a monument to Russian Chancellor of State, earl Nikolai Rumiantsev was erected on the territory of the palace-and-park ensemble.

The year of 2002 marks the 220th birthday anniversary of field-marshal general Ivan Paskevich.

Vetka folk art museum

The collection of icons of the 18th-early 20th centuries, manuscripts and old-print books of the 16th-early 20th centuries became basis for the creation of Vetka folk art museum. The exposition of the museum was opened in 1987. It is situated in the former merchant mansion of the 19th century. A rich ethnographical collection is represented here along with religious items.

A new exposition of the museum was opened after reconstruction in 2001. A branch Vetka museum works in 8, Kirov street, Gomel.

Old-print books of Russian and Belarusian printers of the 16th century Ivan Fiodorov and Piotr Mstislavets, published in 1574 and 1569, are among the unique exhibits of the museum.

Gomel regional drama theatre

In 1999 Gomel regional drama theatre was conferred with the title of "Honored Group of the Republic of Belarus". In 2000 director of the theatre, honorable cultural worker Rogovskaya was awarded with a special prize of the Belarusian President for her contribution into the development of international cultural relations. The auditorium can seat 570 people. On average it is filled by 75%. As of today, 3 people's and 4 honored artists of Belarus work in the theatre. The theatre's company is an active participant of The Slavonic Brotherhood interregional project.

Gomel regional Philharmonic Society

Chamber chorus is one of the oldest companies of Gomel regional Philharmonic Society. Elena Sokolova has been the art director and chief conductor of the chorus since 1989. The repertoire of the chorus includes works of different epochs and styles.

In 1995 the chorus received the first award at the 14th international festival of Orthodox music, in 1997 it became laureate of the 7th international festival of Gaude-Mater, in 1998 - laureate of the 33th international festival of choral music in Poland.

The program of the concert orchestra of the Philharmonic Society under the conduct of honored artist of Belarus Yuri Vassilevsky includes various instrumental and vocal, retro and modern classical pieces of music for all tastes and ages.

Honored artist of Belarus Galina Pavlenok works in the Philharmonic Society. Her repertoire consists of opera arias, old romances. She is a winner of numerous international and national contests and festivals.

Gomel State Circus

Gomel State Circus was opened in 1972. The most famous circus artists of the former USSR, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Mongolia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, China, Yugoslavia and other countries gave performances on its ring.

In 1982 Gomel State Circus - the first one among all 69 stationary circuses of the former Soviet Union - was conferred with the honorable title of "the model company" of the Soiuzgostsirk Lenin order Union association.

Its auditorium can seat 1,500 people.

Gomel region universal library

Lenin universal library was founded in 1928. Over the years of its existence it has turned into one of the leading cultural centers of the country and possesses huge information potential. Its universal fund counts 980 items of storage. The library provides its services for over 56,000 readers.

An Internet-center has started its activities in the library since July 2001. The room has 12 computers. Its visitors learn computer science, how to search for information through Internet and work with electronic mail. There are also studies on decision-making theory, project planning, corporate knowledge management. 1,200 readers have used the possibility of the free-of-charge search for information through Internet since the library was opened.

A private collection of books, which earlier belonged to duke Ivan Paskevich, is the pearl of the library. The unique editions of the 16th-17th centuries are among them.

Lenin universal library launched its computerization in 1993. A department of rare books and a legal information center have been opened at the library.

Sintez children's theatre

In 1987 leading artist of Gomel region puppet-show Valery Kurdiumov created Sintez children's theatre on the basis of the Palace of Culture of Gomeldrev company. In 1998 the theatre was conferred the title of "model", it took part in the international festival of children's arts in Holland, gave performances in Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Germany.

Regional puppet-show

The regional puppet-show started working in 1968. Honored artist of Belarus Matros has been its director since then.

The theatre's company is a many-time laureate of international festivals of puppet-shows and children's theatres. Its repertoire includes national and foreign plays, works by the world's classics.

Gomel craftsman Vladimir Tsekunov

One can learn from the existing literature on The Trinity-Sergiy Monastery of Moscow State that Saint Amvrosiy Troitsky, a carver, decorated with wood chips the framework of his box icon, which can be seen in Zagorsk art museum-reserve.

This unique art of wood filigree was revived and improved many centuries later, in 1990, by Gomel craftsman Vladimir Tsekunov.

Today the highly artistic hand-works by Vladimir Tsekunov - boxes of different forms, writing materials, frameworks and many other unique items from alder, mahogany, oak and other wood - decorate the show-rooms, museums, offices of prominent statesmen all over the world.