The 2nd European Games 2019 (Belarusian: II Еўрапейскія гульні, Jeŭrapiejskija huĺni 2019; Russian: II Европейские игры, Yevropeyskiye igry 2019), also known as the 2019 European Games or Minsk 2019 (Belarusian: Мінск 2019; Russian: Минск 2019), were held in Minsk, Belarus, from 21 June to 30 June 2019.

[5] A number of countries and cities expressed their interest to host the second European Games in 2019 but only the Netherlands submitted an official bid.

[7][8] The competition intended to be nationwide and based in seven cities, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Utrecht.

[14] Following this, a number of countries expressed interest in hosting the games: Belarus (Minsk), United Kingdom (Glasgow), Poland (Poznań), Russia (Kazan and Sochi), Turkey (Istanbul).

[1][15] A contract was signed on 1 September 2017 by the chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Andrei Shorets, the president of the EOC Janez Kocijančič, the Minister of Sport and Tourism of Belarus Alexander Shamko, first Vice-President of the NOC of Belarus Andrey Astashevich, Director of the 2nd European Games 2019 Georgy Katulin, Secretary-General of the European Olympic Committees Rafael Pagnozzi.

[16][17] On 12 May 2017, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree on the Foundation of the Directorate of the II European Games 2019.

[18] Georgy Katulin, General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus, was appointed the CEO of the foundation in August 2017.

[21] Sergei Rumas, Belarus's prime minister and the head of the Organising Committee also said that all the facilities would be finished by 15 May and that "95 per cent of the equipment has already been installed".

[24] It gave the Ministry of Defence the power to restrict access to certain areas and placed a ban on drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and model aeroplanes at competition venues.

[28] On June 30, 2019, Tony Moore performed his composition “We Are The Light” at the closing ceremony of the European Games 2019 in Belarus.

It was produced by Russian company Art City 5, and was directed by Alexander Vavilov (Belarus) and Alexei Sechenov (Russia).

[31][32] The main musical performers were Anna Netrebko, Ilya Silchukov with Elena Salo and Dimash Kudaibergen.

[34] Each delegation is escorted by girls in dresses representing the Kupala wheel, a symbol of the sun for Eastern Slavs decorated with traditional Belarusian ornaments.

[38] On 27 December 2017, it was announced about the finalising of the development of a comprehensive transport service plan for the competition, based on the needs of all stakeholders and the experience of the previous Olympic and European Games host cities: Beijing, London, Baku.

Rail services between Masyukovshchina (Minsk-Arena), Belarus (regatta course Zaslawye) and Loshitsa (Čyžoŭka-Arena) will operate with higher frequency during the event.

In addition, the existing bus network will be expanded by 10 to 12 new routes to the competition sites, which will run up to 300 buses and trolleybuses.

[citation needed] In August 2018, new digital information boards were unveiled in order to improve the public transport network for foreign visitors.

[39] Valery Shkuratov, the director of Metropolitan Transport and Communications (the firm which manage the transit systems in the city), said that more than 270 displays had already been installed.

[40] The next month, fourteen taxi companies in Minsk as well as several governmental and administrational departments signed a memorandum of understanding to guarantee fair prices during the Games.

The Opening and closing ceremonies, as well as competitions in track and field, will be held at the Dinamo Stadium (Minsk, Kirov, 8).

A total of 15 sports were presented: archery, athletics, badminton, basketball 3-on-3, beach football, boxing, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, judo, karate, sambo, shooting, table tennis and wrestling.

The competition will be held over a two-day period and include six medal events in women's trios and mixed pairs.

*   Host nation (Belarus)The prototype for creating the 2nd European Games' logo in Minsk was the Kupala fire and "paparats-kvetka" (Belarusian: папараць-кветка, romanized: paparats-kvyetka), which plays an important role in Slavic culture.

He learns of a legendary flower called the Paparats Kvetka which can help his dream come true, but he needs to travel 1 million steps to Belarus to find it.

He represents friendship, development, harmony, discipline, determination, cheerfulness, invincibility and vigour, according to the mascot's creators.

[146][147] The criteria for evaluating photos include compliance with the theme and conditions of the contest, as well as artistic taste and originality.

[146][149] The winners were awarded diplomas from Belteleradiocompany, as well as sets of tickets for the events of the European Games in Minsk and the official gear of the National Team of the Republic of Belarus.

In March 2019, the Games' Organising Committee signed a memorandum of understanding with UNAIDS to strengthen co-operation in promoting safe lifestyles, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and eliminating discrimination around the infection.

Also, there was an exhibition of rare, original swords, fencing treatises, and martial arts paraphernalia from the 15th through the early 20th centuries.

[188][189] The exhibition contained more than 500 items, including materials from the Belarusian State Archive and works from artists from 11 of the competing countries.