The original Belarussian tribes were related to the Baltic nations and groups of independent principalities, of which the most powerful was Polatsk.In 1250 these independent principallities were united into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Belarus. In the 16th century in the result of numerous wars, the Grand Duchy formed the Union whith the Kingdom of Poland, known as Commonwealth until 1795. From 1795 till 1917 Belarus was a backward province of Russian Empire.After the Revolution in 1917 Belarus was proclaimed the Belarussian Soviet Socialist Republic and soon became a member of the USSR.

Nowadays the Republic of Belarus has become a sovereign independent state. The Declaration of State Sovereignty was adopted by its Supreme Soviet on July 27,1990.

Our native city Volkovysk is situated in the West of Belarus.It was first mentioned as a fortress in the Turovsky manuscript in 1005. There are a lot of beautiful legends about our city.

One legend says that many centuries ago there was an old forest and impassable bogs on the place where Volkovysk situated now.It was a very dangerous place,because two robbers,Volek and Vysek,lived there.People feared to go through this forest.But a courageous prince Zabeyko killed the robbers.He put a big stone on the robbers" grave,where he had written their names.People started to live in this forest.They forgot about the robbers,but they had read the inscriptionon the stone and began to call their settlement 'Volekovysek',then 'Volkovysk'.

Another legend tell us about volkolaks.A volkolak was a man,who had sold his heart to devil.That's why a wizard transformed him into a wolf.All the time volkolaks were running through the fields and forests and howling.

'Vokl' is the English for 'wolf' 'Vysk'('voy' in modern Russian) is the

English for 'howl'.

Who can know the truth?May be many centuries ago there were a lot of

wolves in the big forest which had located in the place of our city.They came to drink water in a big river and howled.that big river is a small calm rivenow, Volkoviya by name.Our city was started as a fortress onthe banks of this river. That's why the river Volkoviya could give the name to our city.

Our city has long and difficult history.Many times Volkovysk was destroyed by invaders, expecially during the World War II (we call the war between Soviet Union and Fascist Germany (1941-1945) the Great Patriotic War.)

In post-war years the city was rebuilt anew . Now Volkovysk is the city with population about 55000 . It is rather large industrial centre . The plant of building machines,the Plant of metalic goods , the Factory of foundry equipment are located in our city. Besides we have a bakery, a butchery and a dairy factory here. The children of our city can study at 7 secondary schools. We have an auxiliary school, two sports schools, an agricultural college and a pedagogic college too. The most interesting places in our city are:Swedish mountains and Muravelnic(the place where our city was started),our museum (during the Russian-French War 1812 the Staff of the 2nd Russian Army was disposed in that building and the track for motocross where the European competition took part in 1997.

The group of 6 form students

Hello, my friend!

My name is Maria. I`d like to tell you about my town.I live in Belarus in the town of Grodno which borders on Poland. I`d say that it is an ancient one. This year we celebrate its 870th anniversary.

The history of Grodno was rather difficult. For a long time it was part of the principalities of Lithuania, Poland and Polatsk. The town lived through many wars but didn`t lose its beauty and originality.

The oldest architectural monument of the town is the St. Boris and St. Gleb Church which was wider known as the Kalozha Church. This unique architectural monument was built in the 12th century! At the beginning of the 19th century, one of the walls was destroyed by the spring flood when the water rose up to 15 metres (ab. 45 foot)! Though the Kalozha stands on a steep bank of the Neman, the whole wall was swept down into the river. Later, the wall was restored.Until today the tourists are struck by Kalozha's magnificence.

There are a lot of legends connected with the church. Its perfect architecture has always attracted a lot of artists. The poets describe it in their verse.But every time you visit the Kalozha Church you can discover something new. This small church is situated on the slope of the Neman river. Blue, golden, brown patches of sunlight are reflected on the walls of the old church, on its centuries-old mosaic.

It is an eloquent witness of the mysterious civilization of our forefarhers.

I think you are eager to visit our town?!

Bye!

Maria Smolenchuk, 5th grade