Native of Naples explains how Minsk is superior to his hometown

Minsk is hosting a creative internship for heads of foreign Belarusian amateur art groups and public organisations of Belarusians from abroad from November 11th-16th. Such events are held as part of the Culture of Belarus state programme, and the current one is aimed at studying Belarusian choreography. Thirty people from five countries – Russia, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Latvia and Italy – have arrived in the Belarusian capital. Our reporter managed to talk with a native of Naples during a press conference, entitled Belarus – the Centre of Attraction and Strength.

Sossio Capasso arrived in Minsk with his wife Irina Topchilko, with whom they have been living in Naples for 14 years. Recently, Irina wants to return to live in Belarus and gradually accustoms her husband to Belarusian culture.

“We have our own Belarusian choir in Naples, which has existed for more than a decade: Spadchyna [translated from Belarusian as ‘heritage’], uniting Belarusians, Russians, Ukrainians, Moldovans and one Italian — my husband. He doesn’t know the language, but he tries very hard to help us. He is more responsible for the technical part, but he also tries to sing. We came to Minsk for this wonderful internship, among other things, so that my husband could continue his acquaintance with our culture,” Irina explained.

Sossio himself admits that he hasn’t learned the language yet, but he really likes to listen to the choir sing, “I don’t understand what they sing about, but this energy inspires me very much. What did I like about Belarus? It is incredibly clean here. This is especially in contrast to Naples, where I’m from. You have wide roads, excellent cuisine, punctual transport, moderately strict laws — I fell in love with this country. I have already written to all my relatives that I am staying in Belarus. The only thing I can’t get used to is the cold and the lack of Italian pasta,” the Italian summed up with a smile.