On July 8, Minsk /Kristina Kurlovich - BELTA/. Belarusian cultural centers are planned to be established in the near abroad countries. This was announced today to journalists by Deputy Minister of Culture Tadeusz Struzhetsky, BELTA correspondent reports. "For the first time, a large section concerning work with Belarusians abroad has been included in the state program for the development of culture of the republic for 2011-2015," said Tadeusz Struzhetsky. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Belarusians living abroad are people who create the image of Belarus in the world, who are ready to implement not only cultural and educational, but also important economic projects. Joint plans include the creation of public organizations and firms, Tadeusz Struzhetsky specified and expressed hope that ties with Belarusians abroad would be maintained. He also mentioned that the idea of the Festival of Arts of Belarusians of the World, which is being held for the first time within the framework of "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", appeared a very long time ago. The goal is to support Belarusian associations existing abroad, as well as to show the creativity of their compatriots to the residents of Belarus. More than 230 representatives of the Belarusian diaspora are participating in the festival. These include ensembles, individual performers, artists, folk craft masters, photo artists, prose writers and poets from Belarusian associations from 12 countries: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, and the USA. Representatives of the Belarusian diaspora abroad will present a wide program of events to the audience. Among them are the opening of the art exhibition "Belarusian Artists in the World", photo exhibitions on the activities of Belarusian associations abroad, and the literary exhibition "Poets and Writers of the Belarusian Diaspora". Also, within the framework of the festival, on July 9 in Vitebsk, the second meeting of the Consultative Council for Affairs of Belarusians Abroad under the Ministry of Culture will be held, where issues of cooperation in the fields of culture, education, information, and tourism, as well as the possibilities of implementing specific projects, will be discussed. Representatives of the ministries of culture, foreign affairs, information, education, internal affairs, sports and tourism, as well as leaders of public and cultural associations of Belarusians abroad and heads of public associations of Belarus will take part in the council meeting.