BelExpo International Exhibition Center Opens in Minsk

On May 8, 2025, in the capital of Belarus, the new International Exhibition Center "BelExpo", located in the modern "Northern Shore" quarter, officially opened its doors. The solemn opening ceremony took place with the participation of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who called this event "the opening of a new page in the chronicle of sovereign Belarus".

World-Class Modern Complex

The International Exhibition Center impresses with its scale and innovative solutions. The total area of the complex is 37,000 square meters, housing spacious exhibition and conference halls equipped with the latest technology, as well as all the necessary infrastructure for hosting events of any complexity. "This is a landmark gift for the anniversary of the Great Victory. At its core is the best global experience and the most advanced solutions. We had to master many things for the first time: from roof structures to engineering communications. Our people coped with it with dignity," noted Alexander Lukashenko at the opening ceremony. The architectural design of the complex amazes with its originality—in the architects’ conception, the appearance of the building resembles the wings of a white stork, symbolizing Belarus’s aspiration for development and progress.

Construction History

Construction of the International Exhibition Center began in 2022 as part of a large-scale investment project to create the "Northern Shore" complex. The investor was a company from the United Arab Emirates—Riverside Development Holdings Limited. The unofficial opening of the center took place on December 28, 2024, when the "My Belarus" achievements exhibition was held here. However, the complex was then closed to complete finishing and interior work, in order to present it to the public in its fully completed form in May 2025. According to information, the developer company will transfer the building to the ownership of the Republic of Belarus within six months after its state registration. The new complex will be operated by the national exhibition center "BelExpo".

First Exhibition and Future Plans

On the opening day, May 8, 2025, a large-scale thematic exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War began its work in the center. The compositional heart of the exposition was the recreated Victory Square, around which thematic blocks are presented in chronological order, reflecting the key stages of the war. The exhibition features more than 600 unique exhibits dedicated to the theme of the Great Patriotic War. Various multimedia technologies are actively used, including augmented reality technology, allowing visitors to "raise" the Victory Banner over the Reichstag. The President of Belarus emphasized the importance of the continuous operation of the exhibition center: "The International Exhibition Center must have a permanent exhibition, to show, as in a museum, what we have achieved to date." In addition to exhibitions, the new complex will become a venue for significant international events. In June 2025, the Eurasian Economic Forum is already scheduled to be held here. In the near future, events such as ECOLOGY EXPO and the International Architecture and Construction Exhibition BUDEXPO will also take place at the center.

Cultural Program

As part of the first exhibition, which will run from May 8 to July 5, 2025, an extensive cultural program is planned with the participation of Belarusian pop stars, honored collectives of the Republic of Belarus, and creative teams from various regions of the country. On May 8, in honor of the opening of the exhibition, the small hall stage hosted performances by well-known artists such as Gyunesh, Shir, Vlada, Irina Yerkovich, and Mishel. That same evening, the G. I. Tsitovich National Academic Folk Choir of the Republic of Belarus performed. On May 9, visitors were treated to a festive concert program featuring the soloist ensemble "Classic-Avantgarde", the Belarusian State Philharmonic, the honored collective of the Republic of Belarus "Khoroshki", and the folklore group "Kupalinka".

How to Visit the Exhibition

The exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory will be open until July 5, 2025, inclusive. You can visit it at: Minsk, P. Medelki St., 24. Opening hours:

• Weekdays: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Weekends: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Closed: Monday

Admission to the exhibition is free of charge for all visitors.

"Northern Shore" — A New Development Point for Minsk

After the opening of the exhibition center, the President of Belarus reviewed the progress of the "Northern Shore" project. Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Vladimir Kukharov reported on the development of the construction and assured that everything is proceeding according to plan. Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the importance of orienting the project toward the future: "Just don’t forget one thing when you’re supervising (I also drive by, take a look): everything must look to the future, from kindergarten and school to a smart city." The Head of State also instructed to tidy up the surrounding area and noted that this project is being implemented at the expense of the investor specifically for Minsk, and that similar projects will be carried out in other regions of Belarus in the future. The opening of the International Exhibition Center marks a new stage in the development of exhibition activities in Belarus and its integration into the international economic space. The modern complex will become not only a place to showcase the achievements of the Belarusian economy but also a platform for establishing international contacts and attracting new investments to the country.