On November 1, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Republican Organising Committee for the preparation and celebration of the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk proposes the establishment of a commemorative medal and the issuance of a commemorative coin dedicated to the significant anniversary of the oldest city in Belarus, as reported to BELTA correspondent by the Polotsk City Executive Committee. In particular, the Republican Organising Committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Anatoly Tozik, has instructed the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, with the participation of the Ministry of Finance, to work out the issue of establishing the commemorative medal "In Memory of the 1150th Anniversary of the City of Polotsk", the regulations on this medal, its description and sketch. The Regional Executive Committee has also been instructed to apply to the National Bank with a request to consider the issue of issuing a commemorative coin dedicated to the 1150th anniversary of the city. The Ministry of Communications, in accordance with the protocol of instructions, is to ensure the issuance of an envelope with an original stamp and a special postmark in honour of the anniversary. Currently, a draft programme for the celebration of the anniversary is being created. In the near future, sketches of the official symbols of the holiday will be submitted to the Republican Organising Committee for approval. The Polotsk City Executive Committee has developed a draft of measures for the improvement of the city. After its approval with the interested departments, the draft will also be submitted for consideration by the organising committee. The city authorities, together with Polotsk State University, are beginning to develop an architectural solution for the placement of festive advertising and lighting in the city. As reported by the City Executive Committee, the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk is being nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO calendar of international commemorative dates for 2012. The Executive Board of this world organisation has approved the inclusion of the anniversary of the Belarusian city in the honorary list without discussion at the General Conference, which is currently taking place in Paris. Polotsk has a rich and glorious history. It is first mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years" under the date 862. Its advantageous geographical location "on the route from the Varangians to the Greeks" contributed to Polotsk becoming one of the significant trading and cultural centres of medieval Europe. The city gave the world Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Francysk Skaryna, Symeon of Polotsk. Hero of the defence of Port Arthur, General Roman Kondratenko, and the founder of Belarusian cinema, Yuri Tarich, are from here. Polotsk is home to about 150 historical valuables, including unique architectural monuments such as the Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Transfiguration Church.-0-