Located between Brest and Minsk, at the eastern foot of Navahrudak Height, Baranovichi (169,000 inhabitants) is an important railway junction in Belarus. The city with a more than 100-year-long history is the second largest city in the Brest district. Even though the heyday of the city started at the end of the 19th century when the trunk line was being developed, the first mention of Baranovichi comes from the year 1706. The city was established in the year 1883 and obtained city rights in 1919. Nowadays, Baranovichi is an important centre of machine industry (production of machine tools), the textile industry as well as the food industry of Belarus. As far as other branches of economy are concerned, the city has also a timber industry as well as production of building materials and transport means. In the city there is a Touring Museum. On 6th February 1993, an agreement was signed on cooperation of specialists from both cities in the fields of economy, culture, sport and tourism. In addition the agreement puts emphasis on contacts between the youth of both cities. The effects of the cooperation: Gdynia City Hall made Baranovichi a gift of medicines and books. Contacts between the youth from Elementary School No. 11 and young sportsmen from Baranovichi within the Twin Cities Sporting Competition. Polish Community Association together with the local authorities of Gdynia organised a summer camp for 40 children from the Polish Club in Baranovichi – July 1993. Choir from the Polish Club in Baranovichi was invited to perform in Municipal Theatre in Gdynia – April 1994. Music group “Delfinki” participated in the Twin Cities Choir Festival in Baranovichi at the invitation of the local authorities of Baranovichi. A group of 46 children from Gdynia and Sopot and 35 children from the Polish Club in Baranovichi participated in a two-weeks camp organised in the military centre “Kormoran” in Hel-Bór. Performance of the Municipal Theatre from Gdynia in Baranovichi on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the victory over fascism. The theatre presented a play of Stanisław Moniuszko “Spiewnik domowy” – May 1995. Participation of the representatives of Gdynia in the celebration of Baranovichi Spring–May 1999. Participation of the NGOs from Baranovichi in Baltica Congress 2000 – September 2000. Visit of the local authorities of Baranovichi to Gdynia. Participation of the Polish delegation in the celebration of the 130th anniversary of city foundation – May 2001. Participation of the youth from Baranovichi in the 10th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia – May 2002. Representatives of Baranovichi planted a symbolic tree in the Twin Cities Avenue in Gdynia – May 2002.Participation of Baranovichi representatives in the UBC “Without Limits” Conference which was held in Gdynia – September 2002. Participation of Baranovichi representatives in the ceremony of presenting Gdynia with Europe Prize – September 2002. Participation of young people from Baranovichi in the 11th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia – May 2003. Participation of Gdynia representatives in “Baranovichi Spring” city celebrations – May 2003. Participation of the youth from Baranovichi in the 12th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia – April/May 2004. Participation of young sportsmen from Baranovichi in the 13th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia – April 2005. Participation of the official Baranovichi delegation in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of granting Gdynia city rights – February 2006.Participation of the youth from Baranovichi in the 14th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia – May 2006.Participation of Gdynia delegation in the celebrations of the 135th anniversary of granting Baranovichi city rights – May 2006.Study visit to Gdynia of the Polish Home representatives from Baranovichi – September 2006.Participation of the youth from Baranovichi in the 15th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia – May 2007.Visit of Gdynia delegation to Baranovichi aimed at discussing the prospects of cooperation between Gdynia and Baranovichi – April 2009.visit of Baranovichi representatives connected with “The Tall Ships Races 2009” – July 2009. Opublikowano: 14.11.2006 00:00 Autor: Małgorzata Aleksiak