Heraldry
On June 2, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 277 "On the Establishment of Official Heraldic Symbols of Administrative-Territorial and Territorial Units of the Vitebsk Region".
In order to revive the historical and heraldic traditions of the Vitebsk region, the President established the official coat of arms and flag of the Vitebsk region.
Regulations on the Coat of Arms of the Vitebsk Region
1. The coat of arms of the Vitebsk region is its official heraldic symbol.
The coat of arms of the Vitebsk region is the property of the Vitebsk region, the right to dispose of which is held by the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
2. The image of the coat of arms of the Vitebsk region is placed on buildings housing local government and self-government bodies of the Vitebsk region, as well as in the meeting rooms of these bodies and the official offices of their heads.
The image of the coat of arms of the Vitebsk region may be placed in those places of the Vitebsk region where, in accordance with the legislation, the placement of the image of the State Coat of Arms of the Republic of Belarus is provided for. When the State Coat of Arms of the Republic of Belarus, the coat of arms of the Vitebsk region and other coats of arms are placed simultaneously, their arrangement is determined in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus of July 5, 2004 "On State Symbols of the Republic of Belarus" (National Legal Register of the Republic of Belarus, 2004, No. 111, 2/1050).
The image of the coat of arms of the Vitebsk region may also be used during state holidays and festive days, solemn events held by state bodies and other organizations, folk, labor, family holidays and events dedicated to memorable dates.
3. The right to use the image of the coat of arms of the Vitebsk region in cases not specified in paragraph 2 of these Regulations may be granted by decision of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
Description of the Coat of Arms of the Vitebsk Region
The Coat of Arms of Vitebsk Region is a French shield, in a red field of which there is a silver horseman in armor, holding a sword in his right hand over his head, and in his left – a shield with a golden six-pointed cross. The Coat of Arms is crowned with a large golden city crown with five battlements, and below it is framed by two golden oak branches, entwined and connected by a blue order ribbon.
Regulation on the Flag of Vitebsk Region
1. The flag of Vitebsk Region is its official heraldic symbol.
The flag of Vitebsk Region is the property of Vitebsk Region, the right to dispose of which is held by the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
2. The flag of Vitebsk Region is placed on buildings where local government and self-government bodies of Vitebsk Region are located, as well as in meeting rooms of these bodies and the offices of their heads.
The flag of Vitebsk Region may be placed in those places of Vitebsk Region where the placement of the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus is provided for by law. When the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus, the flag of Vitebsk Region and other flags are placed simultaneously, their arrangement is determined in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus of July 5, 2004 "On State Symbols of the Republic of Belarus" (National Register of Legal Acts of the Republic of Belarus, 2004, No. 111, 2/1050).
The flag of Vitebsk Region may also be used during state holidays and festive days, solemn events held by state bodies and other organizations, folk, labor, family holidays and events dedicated to memorable dates.
3. The right to use the flag of Vitebsk Region in cases not specified in paragraph 2 of this Regulation may be granted by decision of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
Description of the Flag of Vitebsk Region
The flag of Vitebsk Region is a rectangular panel of green color with an aspect ratio of 1:2, in the center of the obverse side of which is placed the image of the Coat of Arms of Vitebsk Region.