Turaw, Belarus

Svetlahorsk

An administrative center of the Svetlahorsk Region of Belarus in Homel' Voblasc', 110km North-West of Homel'.

XVI c. Svetlahorsk is known since XVI century as a village of Shacilkavichy (later Shacilki).
1639. The village had 19 households.
1793. Becomes part of Russian Empire.
1924. Renamed in a town (miastechka) of Shacilki.
July 29, 1961. Renamed into Svetlahorsk.
1990-ies. "Svetlagorsk is famous in Belarus as the city where drugs, and then HIV, entered Belarus. The city has a population of 10,000. Of that number, 1,700 are registered as HIV positive" - according to Mission Connections. Minsk News reported lower numbers but majority of HIV cases still remains in Homel' voblasc' and Svetlahorsk is also mentioned as the place where HIV entered Belarus.

Links:

Svetlahorsk page from toc-ministries.org (photos in our page are taken from this link).
Chernobyl Children's Project (UK) is helping children in Svetlahorsk orphanage.
Svetlogorsk.net
Svetlahorsk town portal

References used in this file:

"Arhitektura Belarusi. Encyklapedychny davednik" ed.: A.A. Voinau and others, Minsk, Publishing house "Belaruskaia Encyklapedyia" named after Piatrus' Brouka, 1993. ISBN 5-85700-078-5.

This file is a part of the Virtual Guide to Belarus - a collaborative project of Belarusian scientists and professionals abroad. VG brings you the most extensive compilation of the information about Belarus on the Web.
Please send your comments to the authors of VG to Belarus

Š1994-04 VG to Belarus Disclaimer