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Dialogue. A Walk Along Old City Streets.
A Walk Along Old City Streets.
Ann’s friend from London has come to see her. At the moment Ann is showing her around Minsk and its outskirts. Read the dialogue and say whether Ann is a good guide and if she knows her city and its outskirts very well. What historic places would you show your foreign guest if he/she came to your hometown?
| Ann: | Although the Belarusian capital lacks that special historical charm that other European cities are endowed with, it still can be proud of its appearance. Year by year Minsk grows increasingly beautiful. New buildings are erected, gardens and squares laid, and streets improved. Now we are in Nemiga Street. Minsk was founded more than 900 years ago. It was first mentioned as a town in the Principality of Polotsk in a chronicle in 1067 in connection with a battle on the Nemiga between Prince Yzaslav, Vseslav and Svyatoslav. As a result of this battle Mensk was ruined with all men killed, women and children taken to prison. Here the city offers the view of its 17th century cathedral of the Holy Spirit and Sts. Peter and Paul Church. |
| Barbara: | It is most exciting! … We can see Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) can’t we? I recognize it from the picture! |
| Ann: | You are quite right. You know, the upper City, the Trinity and Rakov suburbs are mere fragments of Minsk historical centre. |
| Barbara: | Why is this so? Berlin, Dresden and Leningrad were also bombed during the war. |
| Ann: | However, it is the wooden buildings that were burnt down. And the majority of stone edifices were devastated. Unfortunately not all monuments of the Belarusian antiquity survived through to present day. |
| Barbara: | I’d like to see Minsk Independence Square. Is really Minsk Independence Square the largest in Europe? |
| Ann: | It is hard to believe, but it is the largest in Europe. It occupies the area of about seven hectares. Now we are in the heart of the city. |
| Barbara: | It must be admitted that the square is utilised improperly. Similar squares in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev have entire “cities” of stores, parking lots and other public objects. |
| Ann: | Minsk officials have decided to launch something of the like in Minsk. The plan includes construction of a huge underground complex, reconstruction of the over-ground part of the square. |
| Barbara: | Will it change the look of the square? |
| Ann: | Though, some renovations will be put into operation the Government Building (1929-1933) and Red (Krasny) Roman Catholic Church of the early 20th century, the Pedagogical University building will be preserved. Now we are moving along Fr.Skaryna Avenue. The Avenue is named after Dr. Fr.Skaryna, the first printer and the first translator of the Bible into the native Belarusian language. You can see numerous shops, banks and restaurants on both sides of the avenue. |
| Barbara: | We are coming to Victory Square. Am I right? |
| Ann: | You are quite right. There’s a bus stop over there. We’ll get off and see Victory Square with its 38 metre obelisk and the Eternal Flame commemorating the heroes of World War II. |
| Barbara: | That’s fine. It is just what I had in mind. |
| Ann: | Now I’d like to take you to the outskirts of Minsk. |
| Barbara: | That sounds like a good idea. Thank you. |
| Ann: | We are going to see Glory Mound Monuments. It is 21 km from Minsk. |
| Barbara: | I know that this 35 metre high man-made hill crowned with the obelisk was built on the site where in 1944 Belrusian operation successfully completed the liberation of Minsk and Belarus from Nazi occupation during World War II. |
| Ann: | I’d like to add, together with the symbolic handful of earth laid on the date of its foundation, the Mound also has these from every Hero City of the former USSR and from sites of major battles on the territory of the USSR during WWII. |
| Barbara: | I have read much about the WWII. I know many names of the heroes of WWII. I appreciate highly their courage. |
| Ann: | What are your first impressions of Minsk? |
| Barbara: | Wonderful! It is most fascinating! So many impressions! That’s really more than enough for one day. |
| Ann: | I’m glad you liked it. Then we’ll spend the rest of the day in the Botanical Garden. It’s a good place to have a rest. Everything is green and fresh. And tomorrow we’ll continue our tour about the outskirts of Minsk. |
| Barbara: | Thank you ever so much. I’ve heard a lot about Zaslavl. What about going there? |
| Ann: | You seem to know a lot about Belarus and its history. We are sure to see the place. It is worth visiting. It is 22 km from Minsk. It was founded in 989 by Ysyaslav, the Prince of Polotsk (son of Vladimir the Great, the Prince of Kiev). Now Zaslavl is a town-monument of old Belarusian culture. There are a lot of places worth to be seen. Historical-Cultural Reserve of Zaslavl includes the Site of Ancient Settlement (the 11th century), the Church of Tranfiguration of the Saviour – the monument of the architecture of the 16-17th centuries has features of renaissance style. There is a museum of handicrafts in the church now. The Farny Catholic Church (of St. Mary) is the monument of architecture of the 18th century. It was built in 1774 in Baroque style. |
| Barbara: | That would be very nice to see all these monuments. I’m looking forward to visiting Zaslavl. Thank you ever so much. It was so kind of you to accompany me. |
Ex. 1. Give a brief account of the dialogue.
Ex. 2. Practise the dialogue.
Ex. 3. On the basis of the dialogue make another one concentrating your attention on museums.
Ex. 4. In groups, hold a discussion on the following situations:
a) You are a guide. Give a short commentary on any well-known place of interest in Minsk
b) Suppose you wanted to show a visitor some of the most interesting places in Minsk. Where would you take him?
Ex. 5. Speak about the most interesting sights in Minsk. What is worth seeing in Minsk.
Ex. 6. In pairs, talk about your hometown. Ask your partner:
a) what his hometown is like, what things he likes (doesn’t like).
b) if it is an interesting place.
Ex. 7. Think of a place you have visited recently or which you would like to visit soon. Imagine you are there now. Write a postcard to your friend. Be sure to cover all these points:
a) Say where you are and describe something you have seen or done.
b) What are your impressions of this place?
c) What do you like or dislike about it?
d) What are you looking forward to doing?
Ex. 8. Choose …
a) Bring to class the pictures of a city you visited. Tell your classmates about the city.
b) get information from other sources about one of the big cities which you would like to visit. Prepare a talk about the city.
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