Venues to host the 11th Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia, traditionally held under the auspices of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia and slated to take place in Vitebsk Oblast in 2024, were reviewed at a meeting headed by Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova in Polotsk on 23 December, BelTA has learned.

The upcoming Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia will be co-hosted by Vitebsk, Polotsk, and perhaps Novopolotsk. One of the venues in ancient Polotsk will be the former House of Officers, which is currently under renovation. The facility is located in the central part of the city near the district executive committee. It is the only surviving building of the 1930-1940s. Its architecture reflects the style of the Stalinist period. It was commissioned in 1940 and was then called the House of the Red Army. During the Great Patriotic War it housed a German military unit, and a hospital. As the city was liberated from the Nazis the building was 70% destroyed. Its interior was almost destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1947, and changed its name to the House of Officers.

For many years, the House of Officers hosted the city's most important events. The building was run by various institutions and organizations, and in 2021 the former House of Officers was handed over to Saint Euphrosyne Polotsk State University.

Natalya Kochanova reviewed the facility and assessed the progress of works. Rector of Saint Euphrosyne Polotsk State University Yuri Romanovsky told the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic how the building would look like according to the project, what rooms and halls would be located inside. “It is necessary to make its colors to harmonize with the surrounding buildings. Polotsk is well-known for its architecture, it should be taken into account,” the speaker said.

By 10 June 2024 all the facilities meant for hosting the 11th edition of the Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia should be ready. This task was set before the Vitebsk Oblast authorities by the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic.