I'll be spending the Victory day in Gomel, Belarus. Every affordable hotel room in Minsk is booked, and I had trouble finding a flat to rent too. So I decided to stay in Gomel.

For me, this is a very interesting holiday that I have never experienced before.

The super sweet hotel receptionist translated the entire schedule of Gomel's official celebration schedule specifically for me, into English! Activities here are non-stop all day, starting with a parade at 10:00, concerts, performances and finishing late in the evening with fireworks!

How exciting!! I have never seen this type of thing before, live... And I really like some of the melodies associated with this day.

After that, I'll go to Minsk.

Is anyone else celebrating this day in a "traditional" way, or are you just having a day off? What happens in your city/town?


1 in 4 Belarussians DIED during WW2, according to my guide book. It's almost impossible to imagine such a scale.