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No.3 (990), 2016 Беларусь. Belarus

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Беларусь.Belarus Monthly magazine

Confident view on future of relations

No. 3 (990), 2016 Published since 1930 State Registration Certificate of mass medium No.8 dated March 2nd, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus

Founders: The Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus “SB” newspaper editorial office Belvnesheconombank Editor: Viktor Kharkov Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich

Design and Layout by Vadim Kondrashov Nadezhda Ponkratova

Emergency energy races to rescue or Useful lessons for adults

Devotee Cheslav Confectioner became

Cancer being killed by golden bullets The sphere of oncology is experien

Everyone knows the road to library

Hand-made fashions Anton Talashko, 23, is bucking modern trends...

The magazine does not bear responsibility for the contents of advertisements.

Turov — cradle of nationhood It star

Publisher: “SB” editorial office

cing a small revolution...

Treatment guided by experts

Simply Masha

Belarus’ National Library is no mere treasure-house or museum, but a place of activity and, illuminated by night, is visible from space

ted to reveal its secrets relatively recently

Such boundless flights of imagination

To watch fate is interesting Documentary film by Belarusian director, Galina Adamovich, viewed as a short film textbook

Gene at the end of the tunnel ...А test-

system for diagnosis of genetic abnormalities among children with acute leukaemia has been developed at the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Immunology

Something from trees migration There is a Red Book, a Black Book is also planned...

a priest, revived a forgotten village and received an award from the President

Patrons are welcomed The art market

greatly resembles the financial industry: both have their own investment players and long term prospects…

беларусь.belarus 2016

Беларусь.Belarus is published in Belarusian, English, Spanish and Polish. Distributed in 50 countries of the world. Final responsibility for factual accuracy or interpretation rests with the authors of the publications. Should any article of Беларусь.Belarus be used, the reference to the magazine is obligatory.

This magazine has been printed at State Entertainment “Publishers “Belarus Printing House”. 79 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk, Belarus, 220013 Order No. 648 Total circulation — 1980 copies (including 790 in English).

Write us to the address: 11 Kiselyov Str., Minsk, Belarus, 220029. Tel.: +375 (17) 290-62-24, 290-66-45. Tel./Fax: +375 (17) 290-68-31. www.belarus-magazine.by E-mail: belmag@sb.by Subscription index in Belpochta catalogue — 74977

The various roles of Vladimir Prokoptsov

For future foreign subscribers for ‘Belarus’ magazine, apply to ‘MK-Periodica’ agency. E-mail: info@periodicals.ru Telephone in Minsk: +375 (17) 227-09-10.

Editor’s NOTE

Sovereignty is vital but integration is also essential

irst, I’d like to mention some statistics, taken from our publication, entitled Attitudes Change with Time. Over the past decade, Belarusians’ nostalgia for the Soviet past has begun to fade, while aspirations to living in an independent state have grown. In 2007, 10 percent of Belarusians expressed the desire to live in a renewed Soviet Union, while 21 percent wanted to live in an independent state not linked to any other country. According to recent polls, conducted by the National Academy of Sciences’ Sociology Institute, an absolute majority (of 74.9 percent) believe that our country has become an independent state since gaining independence. Famous sociologist Christian Haerpfer, from Scotland’s University of Aberdeen, on visiting Minsk recently, said, “Twenty years ago, Belarusians spoke of feeling uncertainty regarding their future. In the 1990s, they had no idea what would happen to their families or to the country. People were nostalgic for the Soviet Union’s economic system, pensions and stability. Twenty years on, you’re feeling more stable and have increased confidence in the future. People have more confidence in the future, for their families and children, and feel safer. There’s far less harking back to the past.” Today, integration is essential, with the Union of Russia and Belarus demonstrating its usefulness. Minsk recently hosted the first session of the Union State Supreme State Council since

December 2010, and I’d like to draw attention some aspects. The agenda tackled budget fulfilment from the previous year and approved a major financial document for the new period. Foreign policy was also agreed. Analysis of priority tasks for the Union State is a new point on the joint agenda, with a corresponding programme adopted for 2014-2017. External events are playing their part and Mr. Lukashenko has been obliged to be frank: integration is being tested against a background of global economic instability. Vladimir Putin has agreed that this is a serious risk factor. Meanwhile, the approval of the common budget shows that Minsk and Moscow view the Union State as vital, allocating 6bln Russian Roubles for the financing of around 40 joint programmes. Read more about the Union State in Confident View on Future of Relations. Belarus is focusing on multivector integration, including recently activated European integration. Minsk has been visited by a range of EU representatives, exchanging ideas and dialogue, and there is hope for more tangible agreements, both pragmatic and constructive.

By Victor Kharkov

2016 беларусь.belarus

panorama  Possibilities of a new status Belarus officially granted observer status in Association of Caribbean States during 21st session of the Association’s Council of Ministers elarus’ joining the Association as an observer member provides an opportunity to significantly expand and activate tradeeconomic co-operation with the member states of the Association whose total population exceeds 237 million people. “Cuba’s presidency in the Association in 2016 (which is a strategic partner of Belarus in the region) opens up wide opportunities for Belarusian enterprises and organisations. Belarus tries to use its observer status in regional organisations for the maximum advancement of its national interests, as well as the interests of Belarusian exporters to distant countries. In particular, Belarus’ focused efforts have already earned the country an observer status in such prestigious international organisations as the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. The Association of Caribbean States was founded in 1995 as a coordinating organisation in streng thening the role of business circles of the region in political and economic negotiations. Today the Association hosts forums and consultations on developing interaction in economic, technical, cultural, tourism and transport sectors. The Association unites 25 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. The observer status has been so far presented to 20 countries, among which is Russia, Ukraine, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland and others.

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Belta

 Minsk as a city of the future Belarusian capital among top ten

insk has been named among the most promising European cities for investors. Its European Cities and Regions of 2016-2017 rating, compiled by a subdivision of The Financial Times, will bring recognition among businessmen.

According to its rating, Minsk is placed second among the Top Ten Cities for ‘Cost Efficiency in Doing Business’, and is placed tenth for ‘Best Strategy of Attracting Direct Foreign Investments’. In all, 223 cities were ranked for the survey, with around 100 parameters taken into consideration, including economic potential, human resources, costs involved in doing business, qua lity of life and infrastructure. The survey enjoys global status and recognition.

 Relations are strengthening “We must look at each other with new eyes and must open a new chapter in our relations,” stresses Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Belarus, Alexander Bayer, at opening of Austrian Embassy

elarus views Austria as a promising international partner and has grounds to hope for reciprocity, according to Michael Linhart, the Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. He emphasises, “The opening of the embassy demonstrates that Belarus is an important partner for Aus-

tria. Co-operation between our countries has been developing for many years. Close ties have been set up in business, with Austrian businesses having long worked in Belarus.” According to the Austrian diplomat, political dialogue with our country in the context of relations with the EU is important for official Vienna. Moreover, Austria has been a pathfinder in Belarus-EU dialogue.

Belta

INTEGRATION

Confident view on future of relations Minsk hosts the Belarus-Russia Union State Supreme State Council session under chairmanship of Alexander Lukashenko

or the first time since December 2010, Minsk has hosted a session of the Belarus-Russia Union State Supreme State Council. As a rule, the agenda of such events tackles budget fulfilment from the previous year and approves the major financial document for the new period. Foreign policy is also agreed.

Priority tasks for the Union State development were previously adopted for 2014-2017. The issues submitted to the heads of state have been thoroughly elaborated during the preparation for the session at both expert and top levels. The recent meeting between the presidents of Belarus and Russia, in Sochi, deal with this. However, external events play their part and Mr. Lukashenko has been obliged to be frank: integration is

2016 беларусь.belarus

INTEGRATION being tested against a background of global economic instability. Vladimir Putin agreed that this is a serious risk factor. Prices are falling, and mutual trade turnover is shrinking, which makes it appear that integration processes are losing momentum. The President of Belarus noted that misbalances in international relations and lack of co-ordination in economic policy affect trade. He asserted that the focus centres around ‘the removal of barriers and the provision of an efficient single market for goods, services and capital, as well as mutual support’. Mr. Lukashenko has proposed that all venues and formats of Union State development and co-operation be employed, with efficiency as the watchword. He underlined, “I think you’ll agree that, as part of integration, created by us with you, conditions exist to work consistently and in a coherent manner. As they say, with the precision of a clock mechanism.” Mr. Putin noted that the development of industrial co-operation, primarily high technologies, is a key factor in the economic growth of the Union State. According to the Russian President, we must expand production of science-intensive goods and replace the manufacture of foreign components, especially in those branches directly influencing security. Capacity exists to do so, with Russian-Belarusian co-operation in power engineering being of strategic character. The construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is in full swing. “Undoubtedly, this is a flagship project,” said the Russian President, adding that $10bln of Russian investment has been dedicated to the project. The Russian President believes that inter-regional collaboration has the potential to promote economic ties and has praised Mr. Lukashenko’s efforts at co-operation. He confirmed his plans to take part in the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, due to be held in Minsk in June. Since the Union State was launched, trade-economic, sci-tech, educational and cultural ties have been strengthened,

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with legislation drawn up to cover all areas of collaboration. Mr. Putin thanked Mr. Lukashenko for his actions as a political figure acting in the best interests of the Union State, alongside the first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin. Mr. Putin underlined that Russia intends to continue mutually beneficial integration, under equal terms, with Belarus, via the Union State mechanism. The Belarus-Russia Union is large in scale and reaches beyond the economic context. Moreover, Mr. Putin sees the Union State as the basis for multi-format inter-state structures within the

clearly outlined, with our countries pursuing foreign policy in an agreed manner. Of course, the Supreme State Council couldn’t overlook security issues, including the application of joint forces. The Minsk session of the Union State Supreme State Council was rather businesslike and dynamic, showing that no barriers truly exist between Minsk and Moscow, as our presidents have underlined many times. There is no need to question the need for Belarusian-Russian integration. It has been declared clearly and unanimously that this vec-

Top priority tasks of Union State development in the mid-term have been clearly outlined, with our countries pursuing foreign policy in an agreed manner post-Soviet space: the Customs Union, the Single Economic Space and, finally, the Eurasian Economic Union. The Russian President thanked his Belarusian colleague for having been part of these processes since the beginning and noted that the ‘dvoika’ project continues to have relevance. Mr. Lukashenko focused on constructive dialogue in politics, economics, security, social and cultural areas as evidence of achievement of common goals. The session resulted in adoption of decisions across all spheres and it was agreed that crisis phenomena will be mostly efficiently overcome by uniting efforts: strengthening co-operative ties, agreeing a single industrial policy and putting aside barriers to a single market. The approval of the common budget also testifies to the fact that Minsk and Moscow view the Union State as vital; 6bln Russian Roubles are to be spent on financing around 40 joint programmes. Top priority tasks of Union State development in the mid-term have been

tor should be actively and purposefully pursued. Moreover, it will play the role of a pilot project for further transfer of experience, for wider integration projects within the post-Soviet space. The spirit and tone of the session itself can be described as quietly prudent, although our heads of state noted the risks brought about by external conditions. These do affect bilateral interaction, primarily, in the economic sphere, but our presidents understand problems objectively and have a clear vision of how to proceed, without haste or panic. On the contrary, we see sensible consideration and understanding of how best to overcome difficulties. Our Moscow colleague-journalists note that almost half of the Russian Government arrived in Minsk, filling the Palace of Independence’s largest hall. A range of meetings and negotiations took place at ministerial and inter-departmental levels, showing our political will and the desire to reap tangible fruits. By Vasily Kharitonov

Belta

TOPICAL DISCUSSION

During the conference

A matter of life and death

Minsk hosts Death Penalty: Transcending the Divide international conference, organized by UN Office in partnership with the Foreign Ministry, with support from British Embassy

he conference featured the European Union’s Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, and Andrea Rigoni, of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, alongside various media representatives. Although this was the first event of its kind in Minsk, it is part of a trend in strengthening Belarus’ dialogue with the European Union. As the Deputy Foreign Minister, Valentin Rybakov, said at the conference opening, our country remains open to discussion of any topic, including acute human rights issues, such as the death penalty. Meanwhile, all problems should be solved via dialogue, rather than con-

frontation, taking into consideration our country’s national features. This has long been our foreign political credo and remains unchanged. As Mr. Rybakov underlined, most Belarusians supported the preservation of the death penalty during a referendum 20 years ago. “We cannot and will not ignore this fact,” he asserted. Stavros Lambrinidis, Andrea Rigoni and Sanaka Samarasinha (UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus) reported on existing EU and global approaches to the death penalty, stating that all 28 EU members have agreed to annul the death penalty and 150 states worldwide have stopped its use. Nikolay Samoseiko, a deputy of the House of Representatives, is convinced

that Belarus will also annul the death penalty at some point but upholds the decision of the referendum from two decades ago, when over 80 percent of citizens voted to preserve the ultimate punishment for crime. The vote reflected the criminal situation and economic situation observed at that time, when radical change was accompanied by growing violence. It was felt that lifting the death penalty could have encouraged destabilising behaviour, and public opinion was virtually unanimous. Behind the scenes, debate continues regarding why the death penalty continues to be applied in the USA, upheld by public support in many states. There is no rational answer. “I’m not embarrassed by the fact that we are the only state in Europe still applying the death penalty,” emphasizes Vladimir Senko, the Chairman of the Standing Committee for International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic, although he admits that he believes Belarus will follow the European trend at some point. He adds, “I’m embarrassed and, even, outraged that a fence has been erected around us because of this, making the issue a subject of conditions and sanctions. Imposing intrusion under the flag of lifting the death penalty is far from true values which are advocated by the Council of Europe and the EU.” Discussions held in the ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel gathered the entire diplomatic corps in Belarus, including the EU special representative, a representative of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly and famous ‘new Europe’ diplomat Karel Schwarzenberg. As Mr. Samarasinha stressed, it’s vital for talks to continue beyond the formal environment, taking place in schools, universities, private apartments and public organisations. The expert community — as represented by figures from civil society, science and religion — have set in motion new thinking, but residents of Belarus must make the final decision. By Nina Romanova

2016 беларусь.belarus

SOCIETY

Attitudes change with time In recent decades, Belarusians’ nostalgia for the past has begun to fade while aspirations of living in an independent state have grown

n 2007, ten percent of Belarusians expressed a desire to live in the renewed Soviet Union and 21 percent wanted to live in an independent state not linked to any other country. According to recent polls, conducted by the National Academy of Sciences’ Sociology Institute, 74.9 percent of the population believe that our country has established as an independent state since gaining independence. Over 25 percent are proud of this fact. The grounds for this transformation in the minds of Belarusians’ are explained by a famous sociologist

Has Belarus established as an independent state? (%) Yes Rather yes No Don’t know

беларусь.belarus 2016

36.3 38.6 11.6 8.6

from Scotland’s University of Aberdeen, Kristian Harpfer. On visiting Minsk recently, he said, “Twenty years ago, Belarusians spoke of the uncertainty of their future. In the 1990s, they had no idea what would happen to their families and the country. People were nostalgic for the Soviet Union: its economic system, pensions and stability. Twenty years on, we are showing an enhanced feeling of stability and increased confidence in the future. People are more certain of the future for their families and children and feel safer. We see much less harking back to the past.” The economic crisis has also significantly affected the Russians’ state of mind, as assessed by sociologists from the Levada Centre. In 2015, Russians more often experienced feelings of envy, aggression, anger, exasperation with others, fear and despair. Exhaustion, weariness, loneliness and embarrassment were more common, as was a rise in the number of cases of depression, indeed, similar levels were last seen in 2009, when the consequences of the economic crisis were being felt. Partly due to falling incomes because of the devaluation of

What makes you feel proud for Belarus? (%) Ensuring peaceful development of the country

41.1

Stability in the country

30.7

Reaching of the state sovereignty

25.7

Strengthening of the country’s authority at the international arena

12.6

Creation of the EEU

Cooperation of people around the idea of the state sovereignty

7.8

Building of the socially oriented state

6.9

the Rouble and continuing economic sanctions, the poll saw less evidence of positivity in the responses, with a lower rate of self-esteem, confidence, and hope expressed. Against this background, a growing number of Russians felt nostalgia for Soviet times and sympathized with the Soviet political system, a significant increase seen from July 2015 to January 2016. The same level of support for the Soviet state system was registered by sociologists in 2009. From late 2015, Russians’ support of the western democratic model and the country’s acting political system has dropped. An increasing number of Russians believe that they and their families have lost out as a result of changes that have occurred in the country since the collapse of the USSR. The peak of this attitude was seen in December 2014, when the first wave of the fall in the Rouble took place. By Victor Veremeev

THE UN AND BELARUS

Emergency energy races to rescue or Useful lessons for adults

2016 беларусь.belarus

THE UN AND BELARUS

Preschool children in Oshmyany have been teaching the elderly ‘green’ habits, and have received not only applause and appreciation but requests to continue. Kindergarten children in Grodno have been staging Kolobok shows in a new, energy efficient style, gathering full houses. Meanwhile, Vitebsk college students have launched an online site to promote energy saving, including an energy efficient rap. They’ve even installed reflective shields behind radiators, to make their classes warmer. Emergency energy races to rescue on all central channels and is already well recognizable to all citizens of Belarus

arious eco-projects are afoot across Belarus, thanks to the UNDP’s Developing an Integrated Approach to Expansion of Energy Saving (www.energybel. by). Financed by the European Union and the Energy Efficiency Department of the Belarusian State Committee for Standardisation, the programme is executing all such projects nationwide, headed by Sergey Nikitin. The aim of Energy Efficiency in Schools (as people are calling it) is to promote energy saving ideas via various events hosted by educational establishments.

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Financing has been allocated to four educational establishments (chosen by tender). At the beginning of the project, energy audits were held at 27 educational establishments, across Minsk, Vitebsk and Grodno Regions, with the results used to plan energy efficiency in buildings. Relevant equipment was purchased and, later, a design initiative contest was organised. Four pilot sites were finally chosen: secondary school #4 (Dzerzhinsk), kindergarten #6 (Oshmyany), kindergarten #45 (Grodno) and Vitebsk’s State M. F. Shmyrev Professional-Technical College of Machine Building. Even those schools not chosen benefitted, since they gained an audit by specialists, and an action plan of recommendations

for energy saving. Each school, kindergarten and college has ended up saving budgetary funds through energy saving. In addition, the project has taught teaching staff how to apply to participate in such contest run by the EU/UNDP. As a result, these establishments now hold all documents necessary for them to apply for modernisation. Recent events have included a round table discussion on how best to fund eco-projects and those related to energy efficiency. At present, the four chosen educational establishments are modernizing buildings, adding insulation into walls and roofs, replacing windows (with those which are more energy efficient) and installing energy efficient lighting.

THE UN AND BELARUS

Students of Vitebsk Professional-Technical College of Machine Building demonstrate their own developments

According to Mr. Nikitin, new technologies are gaining in popularity in Belarus, such as solar panels to heat water, and heat recovery ventilation systems. The project is certainly educational, involving the local population in realizing energy efficient events and introducing training courses at educational establishments. These aim to change people’s daily habits, by applying simple measures to save energy in housing and in the production sector. The project includes several training sessions for teachers, enabling them to cascade their knowledge and experience with colleagues. A methodical textbook is soon to be published, featuring chapters on energy efficiency, and schools will offer optional, extra classes. Project initiators hope to promote energy efficiency via creativity, especially for school and kindergarten children, using cartoons, short films, comic strips and colouring books to demonstrate the advantages of renewable energy. The Energy Efficiency in Schools project is promoting a ‘green’ lifestyle via various events. Oshmyany preschool children have made friends with the local Electric Lines company, enabling the youngsters to learn about how elec-

tricity is generated. Moreover, they’ve shared their learning with the elderly and disabled at the local social services centre, attracting full houses for their unusual training sessions. The youngsters have used drama, dance, parody and fable to convey their message. Their audiences have been rapt. Oshmyany Electric Lines has now equipped the kindergarten with energy efficient lighting (provided by the project). Grodno’s preschoolers have performed to disabled children. Their energy efficient remake of the popular Kolobok fairy tale, with help from the local branch of the Red Cross Society, received a diploma at the regional round of the 9th Republican Contest of Economic Projects: Energy Marathon-2015 (in the ‘cultural-spectacular event promoting efficient and rational use of energy resources’ nomination). The next task is professional filming of the performance, to feature in an educational film on energy efficiency training at preschool level. We can solve not only educational but technical problems, as has been seen at the Vitebsk State M. F. Shmyrev Professional-Technical College of Machine Building. Students have installed reflective screens behind radiators in all

Head of the Energy Efficiency project Sergey Nikitin

college buildings, with guidance from project experts. According to Mr. Nikitin, Br7mln has been spent on materials and will pay for itself within just six months. “Heat losses will be cut by 3-4 percent while the average temperature will rise by one degree. We’ll annually save up to Br12mln,” he comments. Knowledge and practical energy saving skills gained by students will

2016 беларусь.belarus

THE UN AND BELARUS

Participants of the project’s computer drawing competition “Draw a Green School of the Future” (Vitebsk Professional-Technical College of Machine Building)

The work is carried out ‘from the bottom upwards’. The local community does not simply receive a ready product but must participate in its creation, establishing ownership. It is also useful experience, which becomes really priceless беларусь.belarus 2016

Children’s matinee on the topic of energy efficiency in kindergarten #6 in Oshmyany

find their way into many walks of life, thanks to the diversity of future alumni, who will be sure to implement modern technologies at their companies. Interestingly, the college team won the Energy Marathon-2014 contest for ‘the best educational establishment to create a system in the field of energy saving’. College lecturers created an Internet resource at http://energo.vgpl1.by/ (Forming the Future Jointly), providing original materials on energy saving and promoting ecological awareness. Another pilot project within the programme belongs to secondary school #4, in the city of Dzerzhinsk: a festival of pedagogical ideas called On the Path to Economy. It has invited other educational establishments in the city to take part, with an artistic approach welcomed. Senior grade pupils have made a video to present the results of a poll among parents on issues of efficient consumption of water, heat and electricity. Another video features the father of a pupil demonstrating solar panels on his house, and their rational use by the family. The Energy Efficiency in Schools project has one more important component: territorial-oriented develop-

ment to ensure sustainable management of energy resources. Project expert Valentina Stalygo explains that this allows close interaction with local community members, which is the best way forward. “We’re used to the idea that someone else will provide funding,” says Mr. Nikitin. “Without financing, we tend to continue living under a broken roof, with thin, cold walls. Territorial-oriented development helps demonstrate initiatives to gain funding, and shows other possibilities.” Importantly, the UNDP programme has created public-consultative councils within all pilot sites, encouraging involvement by local executive authorities and community members (teachers, parents, journalists and business representatives). They are now helping plan and monitor projects ‘from the bottom upwards’. The local community does not simply receive a ready product but must participate in its creation, establishing ownership. Various questions will appear during project realisation, with public-consultative councils being able to offer solutions, and thereby building their own experience. By Vladimir Velikhov

panorama  Weight of “light” oil Belorusneft geologists have discovered a new oil deposit in the northern structural zone of the lansko-starooskol layers at the Rechitsa oil field

s a result of deeper drilling works at the exploitation well, oil-containing layers with a total depth of 13.4m were opened. The industrial flow of light oil with an output of about 25 tonnes a day was received during testing. According to the specialists, the geological deposits could reach up to 700,000 tonnes. The decision to deepen the well was made in February of the previous year, after the discovery of a deposit in the lansko-starooskol layers of the eastern structural zone of the Rechitsa oil field. At that time, the well was producing almost 100,000 tonnes of oil.

 Uniting land The 11th Festival of National Cultures in Grodno to be held under the UNESCO patronage

ach year, the forum gains in popula rity, attracting an increasing number of guests from all over the world. This summer, the border city will host the holiday from June 3rd-4th, featuring US participants for the first time. The Head of Grodno City Executive Committee’s Department for Ideologi-

 Depicted in metal Specialists of BelNIPIneft continued to study the prospects of the oil-and-gas-bearing capacity of the lansko-starooskol layers. After conducting a range of research projects, a zone was allocated in the northern sector of the Rechitsa oil field predicted to have oil-saturated container rocks. The Rechitsa oil field was discovered in 1965 while the Lansko-starooskol layers have been industrially developed since 1969. A programme is currently being developed aimed at the exploration of the northern section of the lanskostarooskol layers and to determine areas for further development.

Belarus’ National Bank devotes new commemorative coin to biathlon

‘2016

Wo r l d Biathlon Championship: Oslo’ commemorative coins have been minted at the Lithuanian M i nt , i n d e nominations of 1 Rouble (copper-nickel) and 20 Roubles (gold and silver). The value is governed by their precious metal con-

cal Work, Culture and Youth Affairs, Vitaly Mamochkin, explains that, this year, the festival will be held under the slogan Belarusians are the Uniting Nation. “We’ll focus on a bright opening and spectacular parade, followed by decorated courtyards on the second day. Meanwhile, national diasporas will present their traditions to guests, invi ting them inside their national centres. It’s truly symbolic, as each nationality will build its own house on Belarusian land,” he tells us. Organisers wish to continue ce lebrating traditional courtyards, performances by artistic teams and singers, and work with international groups, but also hope to surprise guests. Among innovations this year is the Ethno Greenhouse, a laser show, live radio broadcasting of the festival and a radio battle, as well as an ethno-concert by famous performers. An artisan town will open in the main square, in Old Arbat style, and there will be an international children’s camp with an assembly, song contests and cartoon screenings, in the city park. Children will also have the chance to enjoy a travelling zoo and a family disco. The holiday should be great fun. tent (which varies from 3g to 150g) and prices are yet to be announced. However, a similar golden coin — ‘2014 Olympic Games: Skiing’ (3.11g of 999th standard) — sold for Br2.6mln, without a presentation case. The National Bank’s press service states that an abstract ‘biathlete is depicted on the coin’. However, the profile is clearly that of triple Olympic champion Darya Domracheva. 20 Rouble c oi n fe atu r i ng famous sportswo man to go on sale for around Br2.6mln

2016 беларусь.belarus

panorama  The first book’s jubilee

 Convenient eco-instrument Regional green portal presented in Brest

rest residents have now joined the eco-initiative, with the brest.greenbelarus.info portal providing information on ecological events in Brest Region. Similar sites operate for those living in Minsk, as well as in Grodno and Gomel Regions. The online magazine has a news feed, nature columns, info on making ‘ecofriendly’ living choices and info on public initiatives run by volunteers, experts and city residents. The editor of the portal, Alexey Kupryakov, tells us, “This easy instrument enables us to educate people on solving green issues at local level. Residents may think that they are alone in their ecoproblems but our sites shows them that

 Virtual tour In the Year of Culture, Pinsk enthusiasts present their native town by creating a virtual tour through the Museum of Belarusian Polesie

he project is the work of Alexey Kitaev, who heads the online journal Business Catalogue of Pinsk, with photographs by Vladimir Puchinsky. In co-operation with

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similar issues have been raised elsewhere in the Republic and have been successfully solved. City residents are offered efficient suggestions and advice from specialists.” The eco-portal aims to unite efforts by public ecological organisations and state environmental agencies. In particular, it aims to beautify settlements, forests, recreational areas and roadside territories. “This is one more step in enabling us to find out more about public opinion, while using the green portal for information sharing and study of particular situations,” believes the Chairman of the Brest Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Tamara Yalkovskaya. The next session of Brest Regional Executive Committee will tackle land clean-up in Pinsk District, informed by public feedback from the portal. museum employees, they have developed a virtual excursion through the halls of the old building, which once housed the Jesuit College. From anywhere, you may now explore the interior of the Museum of Belarusian Polesie, via the ‘My Pinsk’ website. Users can access a map of the museum to decide where to set off to, viewing Belarusian and Russian paintings, as well as natural history artefacts, folk items, and those representing city life and the

In 2017, the whole world will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing, as agreed by representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Culture Ministry and diplomats of European states accredited to our country. A major exhibition of books is planned on the theme of Frantsisk Skorina and his European contemporaries, led by the National Library of Belarus.

he exhibition will feature books by Skorina from various countries. National Library of Belarus director Roman Motulsky tells us, “Our library has just ten original editions, although over 500 remain worldwide: in Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, the UK, Slovenia, the USA, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. It will be the first time of them arriving in Minsk from these countries.” Representatives of the embassies of these states have agreed to supply treasures from abroad. The deputy director of the National Library of Belarus, Ales Susha, is hopeful of seeing the original Catechesis, by Symon Budny, arrive in Minsk from the Slavonic Library in Prague, alongside a book by Vasil Tyapinsky, from Arkhangelsk (which has one of only two remaining editions in the world). history of the Pinsk area. You may examine panoramic views or zoom in on exhibits. The Mus eum of B elar usian Polesie is one of the country’s oldest museums, founded in 1924. Housed by the former Jesuit College, dating from the 17th century, it displays crafts and trades from Polesie and demonstrates Pinsk’s urban way of life from the first half of the 20th century, as well as events from the Great Patriotic War.

SOCIAL MEDIUM

Boom in motherhood

chievements in Belarusian medicine have been globally recognized, with the countr y ranked fourth worldwide for having the lowest child and maternal mortality. Meanwhile, our birth rates are demonstrating a true record: in ten years, they’ve risen by 30 percent (the highest since the late 1990s). “In terms of accessibility of services relating to reproductive health, we rival such states as France, Finland and Luxembourg,” explains the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Belarusian National Assembly’s House of Representatives, Alexander Tsetsokho.

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Birth rates skyrocketing, rising 30 percent over past decade

Last year was full of contradictions for Belarus’ Health Ministry: a boom resulted in the birth of 119,509 babies (birth rates rose by 9.6 percent, which was the largest hike in two decades). However, in late 2015, two infants unexpectedly died in maternity wards in Orsha and Novopolotsk, to the despair of not only families but the doctors involved. Naturally, everyone wishes to avoid similar tragedies in future. In re c e nt ye ars , B el ar us has ranked among the top 50 states for health during pregnancy and deli very. Our perinatal health technologies are our calling card, having been built upon the legacy inherited from

Soviet times. Two decades ago, Belarus launched reform to preserve the budget system and the territorial principle of health care. The country allocates around 4 percent of its GDP to health protection, and over 70 percent of the state budget is directed towards public health. Time has proven that this strategy is fruitful, with even rural areas well provided for, and urban centres boasting specialist care, with cutting edge technologies. Over the past ten years, maternity wards at district hospitals have been modernized and perinatal centres at district and regional level have received the latest equipment. The most complicated cases are overseen at the Republican Mother and Child National Research Centre, while regional specialists can consult medical experts online or via teleseminar. Figures confirm the efficiency of the Belarusian system of obstetric aid, since 82 percent of babies weighing just 500g-1kg do survive. “We’ve achieved these results thanks to our two national programmes of demographic security, as well as through technical modernisation of maternity wards and improved staff training,” states Belarus’ Health Minister, Vasily Zharko. Those who use state funding to receive their training as a doctor accept placement wherever the state sees fit, which has solved the problem of rural areas lacking qualified personnel; 80 percent of needs are now met. The World Health Organisation believes that Belarus has achieved the Millennium Goals set in the spheres of maternity and childhood protection. “Efforts to improve health care have produced clear results, with a zero mortality index for delivering mothers: the highest not only in Euro pe but worldwide,” states the WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab. By Gennady Molokhov

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INNOVATIONS

Cancer being killed by golden bullets The sphere of oncology is experiencing a small revolution: the Nature Nanotechnology authoritative magazine recently published a new method — developed by Belarusian and American researchers — of detecting and eliminating single cancer cells. In the past, these could stay idle for some time, later reactivating. Now, oncosurgeons enjoy an additional option: combining golden nano-particles and laser emission to settle the problem forever.

gor Belotserkovsky, the author of the project and head of the N. Alexandrov Republican Scientific-Practical Centre of Oncology and Medical Radiology’s department of head and neck

tumours, tells us, “The technique involves injecting golden nano-bubbles before a patient undergoes surgery, in addition to a tumour-detecting drug. These accumulate in cancer cells and, under the influence of laser impulses,

Both in the capital, and in the province

elarus has a completely modernised healthcare system, which enables us to provide quality medical assistance to those living even in remote areas. Due to the National Demographic Security Programme and the Children of Belarus programme,

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which have been implemented under the patronage of the President, we have a highly efficient system of maternity and childhood care.

the cells explode — destroying the remaining micro-tumour.” The technology has passed tests on laboratory mice infected with a tumour-carcinoma. Nano-bubbles saved all mice (while a standard approach resulted in reactivation of growth of cancer cells). So far, the treatment has been applied only to head and neck tumours, which account for 3-4 percent of oncological cases, and are among the most difficult to treat. According to the Deputy Director of the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre for Scientific Work, Sergey Krasny, half of all such tumours are detected only when they reach an aggravated stage, reducing the change of surgical success, since the zone affects vitally important structures. Meanwhile, side-effects of surgery include the possibility of disability or serious facial defects. The idea of using ‘golden bullets’ was born 15 years ago but it is only recently that the challenge of helping them reach their target has been solved. Joint efforts, between our oncologists and the Director of Laser Technologies of Masimo Corporation, Professor Dmitry Lapotko, have yielded fruit. Financed by the US National Scientific Foundation (alongside other organisations), the innovation has huge potential application, once clinical tests have been completed. In all likelihood, these will be realized in Belarus. By Lyudmila Kirillova

We’ve managed to considerably reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate, so that our country is among those leading in Europe. Belarus is also a CIS leader in breast feeding and vaccination, with 98 percent of the country’s population being vaccinated free of charge. Belarusian medicine has solved many global problems but we need to focus on health promotion and prevention, since half of our healthcare issues are down to our own attitude. By Svetlana Shilova, National Assembly House of Representatives deputy and Candidate of Medical Sciences

Tatiana Stolyarova

MEDICINE і CRITERION OF EFFECTIVENESS

Treatment guided by experts Just one decade ago, cases of epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease were untreatable, as were most cerebral injuries, and spinal or brain tumours, as well as muscular dystonia. Now, the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery is finding new treatments, giving hope were none existed before.

“N

eurosurgery has always been considered one of the most complicated branches of medicine, attracting the most dedicated, erudite and courageous experts,” underlines Ryshard Sidorovich, the Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery. In the angiography room, a monitor shows a brain scan; vascular dilations are clearly visible. “There are multiple aneurisms,” explains Yevgeny Kisurin,

who heads the angiography room. “The walls are very thin and may rupture at any time. The patient only has a 50-50 chance of survival, as any increase in blood pressure, from stress or physical activity, could cause a haemorrhage.” Outstanding actor Andrey Mironov died following such a diagnosis but, today, patients are offered new treatments to alleviate risk. Using x-ray equipment, the doctor runs a micro-instrument through the femoral artery of the 61year-old, filling the aneurysm with micro-spirals. This endovascular method significantly reduces the risk of rupture. In 2012, the centre conducted 134 simi-

lar surgeries, and completed 300 in 2015, of which 130 ‘neutralised’ aneurysms. In the same room, the doctors ‘remove’ arteriovenous malformations of arteries and veins, since these can lead to haemorrhages and epileptic seizure. Alexey, 29, recently underwent surgery to remove dangerous ‘glomus’ from his circulation. Just 7 years ago, doctors would have been powerless, lacking the technology to operate so deeply in the brain. Mikhail Talabaev, who heads the children’s department of the centre, comments, “17 years ago, when I began work in children’s neurosurgery, I admit

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MEDICINE і CRITERION OF EFFECTIVENESS that I felt frustration at seeing children in grave condition. Today, almost all of our patients leave fit and well, even helping carry their belongings. Over the last 5 years, we’ve mastered surgery not only on new-borns (aged up to 28 days), but from the first hours of life (one pathology requires neurosurgery immediately). Babies lack the protection which comes with age, leaving their spinal cord

quality of life. Modern equipment helps to achieve this. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring helps trace the vital functions of an organism, guiding doctors in using instruments. The positioning station visualises tumours in 3D, helping immensely. The Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery treats children not only from Bela-

The centre has 10 clinical departments, with 248 beds and seven surgical rooms. It employs 128 doctors, 10 doctors of science, and 36 candidates of science vulnerable, and with increased threat of infection, meningitis and death, so we operate immediately.” Two years ago, doctors at the centre began to remove tumours in the brain stem and other functionally significant regions of the brain, such as those responsible for the work of the lungs and heart, and for movement. Any error can cause irreversible neurologic damage; it’s incredibly fine work. In determining the success of surgery, the priority isn’t just the removal of a growth, but survival with reasonable

rus, but from Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Georgia and other countries. Recently, we operated on a 10-yearold boy from Ukraine, as hospitals in Uzhgorod and Kharkov felt unable to remove his tumour of the cerebellum. Our neurosurgeons decided to help, while admitting that recovery would have been far quicker if the child had been brought several months earlier. Patients with Parkinson’s disease, generalized muscular dystonia, essential tremors, or severe pain syndromes (where even strong analgesics don’t bring

relief) now have the option of neuromodulation. This involves the implantation of a small neuro-stimulator, whose electrodes connect to the necessary region of the brain or spinal cord, providing an electric impulse. Every year, the centre carries out up to 30 such implantations, explains Candidate of Medical Sciences Vladimir Rerekhov, a neurosurgeon at Neurosurgery Department #1. He explains, “As the device costs nearly $20,000, the doctors’ council decides on each patient case. Taking into account direct and indirect expenses, implantation is repaid within 4-5 years.” Patients are able to return to work, and medication expenses are halved or even reduced three-fold. People are more likely to avoid relapse and some manage without disability support or social workers. Among those who have returned to normal living is a 7-year-old boy. His illness caused his body to make chaotic, spontaneous movements, all the time. After implantation of the neuro-stimulator, he began attending school and is doing well. This year, experts are planning on treating severe, drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, using a similar method; in fact, not everywhere in Europe is yet using this technology. By Alla Martinkevich

Tatiana Stolyarova

Facts

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 In November 2012, following a state investment programme, reconstruction was completed on the clinical building and a new surgical wing opened for the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery (based on the Belarusian State Institute of Physiotherapy, created in 1924). Five years later, it was renamed as the Belarusian Science and Research Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. In 2005, it was reorganized as the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery.

MEDICINE і WITH QUALITY MARK

Domestically produced pills are never bitter Half of all drugs sold on the Belarusian market are produced domestically

ast September, the Belarusian Health Ministry announced that, for the first time, the share of Belarus-made medicines exceeded 50 percent in monetary terms — meeting the goal of ensuring national security. At present, all domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing plants work to

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At “Academpharm” state enterprise clinical tests of the new antiviral drug are carried out

satisfy domestic drug demand and rival foreign brands as far as cost is concerned. Since 1992, the number of production facilities has risen from 3 to 26 and the market volume has increased from $110mln to $1bln. Since 2012, a Presidential order for the large scale modernisation of pharmaceutical plants has been implemented. At the end of the year, a state programme for pharmaceutical branch

development from 2016-2020 is to be approved; it envisages the establishment of new high-tech production facilities operating under international standards in Belarus. Pricing is a special feature of the programme: the Belarusian Government has prepared a list of domestically produced medicines with fixed prices. A special commission will make decisions on any changes regarding nationally important drugs. In turn, prices on non-essential medicines may vary — although they are also supervised by the Health Ministry. Accordingly, prices may vary slightly in different pharmacies. The Deputy Director and Head of the Department of Economy and Marketing at the Health Ministry’s Pharmaceutical Industry Department — Victor Shein — describes the state position, “the production of no fewer than 35 of the regulated drugs is made at a loss. Planned loss making on some items reaches minus 40 percent. Nevertheless, these drugs are present at the Belarusian market.” The list of medicines sold without a prescription is to be cut: these are around 1,000 (out of 5,000 registered drugs). Many Belarusians still believe that foreign drugs are better than those produced domestically. According to experts, this is the result of a well prepared marketing policy by foreign pharmaceutical companies and a failure of Belarusian producers to promote their medicines effectively. However, an increasing number of people are persuaded that Belarus-made drugs are at least as good as their well-advertised foreign counterparts. A clear two-stage control system over the quality of medicines has created a barrier against counterfeit drugs in the country. The last time these were detected in Belarusian pharmacies was in 2004. All drugs are supplied directly from the producers or official distributors who bear responsibility for their quality. By German Moskalenko

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MEDICINE і WITH QUALITY MARK

Exact diagnosis — quickly and professionally Medicine is becoming ever more technological, with distance no obstacle to diagnosis

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should be operating smoothly. In line with requirements placed on breast screening, each mammogram result will be studied by two, independent radiologists, to avoid error. Minsk polyclinic #34 has been the first to liaise with the City Clinical Oncology Dispensary; a pilot screening was launched two years ago. After a patient has had their mammogram, the radiologist sends the images to doctors at the Oncology Dispensary.

By Anna Osokina

Tatiana Stolyarova

n our modern times, we can s end complicated cardio grams from a rural ambulance to a district cardiologist or consult with a leading medical establishment on serious neurological problems. Telemedicine enables doctors from geographically distant establishments to exchange data promptly, clarifying diagnosis. Belarus is the first in the CIS to make these innovations part of the daily work of medical employees. In the past, similar professional medical consultations were available only in some districts of Gomel and Brest Regions: those which suffered most from the Chernobyl disaster. Today, the goal is to embrace all Republican centres, and around 70 percent of establishments specialising in endocrinology, oncology and the treatment of tuberculosis (phthisio logy). Half of all district organisations will be involved, and telemedicine will expand its network in the field of mammography, to help diagnose breast cancer. According to the Head Doctor of Minsk City Clinical Oncology Dispensary, Vladimir Karanik, seven Minsk polyclinics (equipped with mammographers) are at various stages of joining this network. By late 2015, the process

To speed up data transfer, bilateral optic-fibre communication has been installed. When the project develops further, and other medical establishments gain access, the volume of such consultations will rise dramatically. Telemedicine is being used for training of medical staff, video conferences and consulting — with the latter enjoying the major focus. According to Semen Polyakov, who heads the Organisational-Methodical and Systematic-Technical Accompaniment of Health Protection Information Department at the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre of Medical Technologies, Informatisation, Management and Health Protection, 85 percent of telemedicine developments revolve around ‘offline consulting’. Simply speaking, a doctor provides their colleague with all possible information and, if a case isn’t urgent, colleagues can use a computer database, connected to a special server, to draw their own conclusions. Telemedicine is convenient in being able to draw on specialist expertise without such consultants being present at each clinic. A centralised server allows scrutiny of x-rays, which can be sent by a nurse at the push of a button, enabling clear, professional and prompt analysis.

Yulia Loboda, roentgenologist. In the roentgen-room of Minsk City Clinical Oncology Dispensary

VOCATION

Treatment nurse at Emergency Surgical Department of the 2nd Clinical Hospital, Maria Skuratovich, inspires hopes of recovery

Simply Masha 20

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aria is special. It’s hardly possible to imagine that anatomy was her favourite subj e c t on entering Minsk Medical College, back in 2011. students often refer to anatomy as the most complicated subject in terms of cramming: young people even compare it to toothache. Surprisingly, Masha was fond of anatomy. Truly, medicine is impossible without this knowledge but such incredible love seems strange… I met Nurse Maria while staying at the 2nd Clinical Hospital’s Emergency Surgical Department. My thin veins make it difficult for me to receive a needle, but Masha managed to insert an IV quickly and painlessly. At the time, I imagined that she must be a student, as she looked so young. However, I soon found out that she not only had experience, but aspiration to become a doctor. Masha is among those who are following their vocation. Masha smiles charmingly and resembles the beautiful heroine in the Russian fairy tale of Morozko (upon which a cartoon and a feature film were based, the latter becoming a Soviet classic). Her voice is sweet and she is always cheerful and attentive — as two patients describe her. On hearing those words, I smiled in agreement. Masha is modest, polite and mischievous when chatting with colleagues but also professionally confident. Looking at her, I feel a strong desire to tell her some warm and encouraging words. Masha answers every question willingly, without hurry or glancing away. Her hands are small but she applies them confidently, easily finding veins with her needle. Masha joined the Emergency Surgical Department within the distribution scheme, after graduating from the Medical College. During her first year, she chose surgery rather than therapy, having a secret dream of becoming a surgeon. Her current job provides great experi-

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VOCATION ence, especially as she is studying under Departmental Head Sergey Alexandrov, and surgeons Vladimir Korik and Norair Melkonyan. All are true experts in her department and Masha praises the nurses and cleaning ladies too. Masha, tell me how you fell in love with this sphere of work… you know Aristotle said that only talented doctors view anatomical knowledge as being vital. Of course, I’m pleased to be compared with Aristotle. However, I’ve not heard of this before. It may just be my intuition, as I’m an Aquarius; those born under this star sign are supposed to foresee their future path more clearly. Moreover, they love to help people and dislike routine and monotony [smiling]. Did you choose medicine as your vocation or is this a family profession? It’s never dull in the Emergency Surgical Department. There aren’t any doctors among my relatives; I’m the first. However, I’ve always dreamt of this profession, never aspiring to become an artiste or a teacher. People often say that they knew they’d enter medicine. I felt it to be my vocation and may have been influenced by the death of my mother when I was 11. After finishing school, I applied to the Medical University’s General Medicine Department but failed to gain a place. I went to college instead for three years. Last year, I made no attempt to enter the Medical University, as I felt fulfilled by my work in emergency surgery. Do you have plans to apply again? I’ll try this year. I’m attending preparatory courses at the Medical University. I love my studies. What has attracted you to the professions of doctor or nurse? I love to help people and am happy when a patient feels better after talking to me or receiving infusions or injections. It’s great when they begin smiling and trust in me. Trust is vital, as patients are often emotional and can become anxious or frustrated when not feeling their best. They can be suspicious, mistrusting their treatment, or become

Masha joined the Emergency Surgical Department within the distribution scheme, after graduating from the Medical College. During her first year, she chose surgery rather than therapy, having a secret dream of becoming a surgeon

VOCATION

I love to help people and am happy when a patient feels better after talking to me or receiving infusions or injections. It’s great when they begin smiling and trust in me. Trust is vital, as patients are often emotional and can become anxious or frustrated when not feeling their best. I’m not just putting in an IV but am listening to each patient’s concerns. Trust then grows between us In the room for medical procedures

egocentric. I’m not just putting in an IV but am listening to each patient’s concerns. They often need to share their thoughts, especially when they are elderly. Trust then grows between us. On entering a ward, what do you tell your patients? How do they greet you? They probably behave variously since some are suffering from pain and others are recuperating. Do you vary your approach? All are different. Some need sympathy. Others are interested in prescribed

injections. Almost all are eager to know what pills they need. Some shrink into themselves but I always do my best to come into a ward smiling. Of course, it’s not a grin. I understand that their pleasure in seeing me is intermixed with a desire for release from pain, via injections and IVs. Those suffering from acute pain are often taken into our Emergency Surgical Department and don’t have much to feel pleased about. I come and say hello, delivering medication and answering questions. If my

answer fails to satisfy a patient, I promise to talk again later. It’s important to pay attention to those who’ve shrunk into themselves. Anything can be happening in their mind and I think it’s important to understand them, to ensure easier co-operation. I try never to hurry or be overly cheerful. Meanwhile, I can’t afford for my own mood or fatigue to affect my patients. Finding an individual approach seems to be the most complicated aspect of your profession…

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VOCATION This is true. Working with people is never simple, as there are undercurrents. On occasion, neither IVs nor injections can help relieve pain, but patients expect miracles from doctors and nurses. Even when we deliver such ‘miracles’ it’s often the case that people accept them as a matter of course. When patients are unreasonable I just stay silent. Do you ever feel frustrated with patients, wanting to give them a kick? Sometimes it crosses my mind, but it’s prohibited [smiling]. No one is bad but poor health stops us from showing our best side. We shouldn’t judge someone when they aren’t well, as behaviour can change radically. Some retain their dignity, bravely enduring pain. Some overestimate pain and are capricious, demanding enhanced attention. Everyone has their own threshold for pain, and may faint if they see blood. Few are drama queens. I’m lucky in meeting good people. How did your career begin? And has this profession met your expectations, or do you have regrets? I’ve been with the Emergency Surgical Department for just over two years and felt at home as soon as I arrived. It was such a friendly team, and everything met my expectations. I appreciate it when more experienced colleagues praise me for a job well done and when other nurses’ work is acknowledged. Did you begin as a treatment nurse? I was initially a watch nurse and then became a treatment nurse. Are you pleased when patients thank you? Of course; they often give us flowers and their smiles, or bestow kind words. I accept these with gratitude. I’m convinced that we shouldn’t expect such gratitude from patients. Interestingly, the less gratitude you expect, the more you receive. Do you remember giving your first injection or IV? Did you succeed immediately? Everything was easy — including my first injection and IV. This took

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place during my college internship, with this hospital’s Purulent Surgical Department. Have you ever saved anyone’s life? This is routine in our department. We often need to act promptly to save a person. However, many people are involved in the process: surgeons, nurses and those who give emergency resuscitation. Have you faced death? What did you feel at that moment? You need to set aside feelings and concentrate on actions at such times. You have to harden yourself to suffering or you wouldn’t be able to work in medicine. I’d be of less help if I began to panic. I can show sympathy of course. Vladimir Bekhterev said that if a patient doesn’t feel better after chatting with a doctor, then the doctor is failing in their job. Scientists have proven that doctors have among the most stressful of professions. Scientists at the Harvard Medical School and at Michigan University have been studying doctors’ physical state, to try and understand why so many suffer from depression. Doctors are under stress, especially surgeons and those involved in resuscitation. Of course, other professions are also stressful. You need to be prepared, finding your own methods of remaining relaxed and taking care of your own health. Which qualities are needed in a healthcare professional? You must be calm, patient, responsible, and able to work within a team. Should modern doctors be ambitious? Ambition is known to drive forward progress, if you manage to avoid vanity. However, you must combine practice and theory. What is your favourite film about doctors and why? ‘Doctor House’, as the main character is sometimes grumpy but is a perfect diagnostician, working within a team and teaching others.

Facts  The 2nd City Clinical Hospital is the oldest medical treatment facility among those currently operating in Minsk (having opened in 1799). It meets contemporary requirements of high-tech medical assistance, as you can read in Travelling Through Polesie and Belarusian Lands by ethnographer P. M. Shpilevsky.  Its surgical activity has been developing since 1870, although the site has had various periods of closure. In 1977, an emergency surgery department (offering 60 beds) launched at the hospital, which now occupies two modern, interconnected buildings in 25 Engels Street.  At present, the depar tment is headed by Sergey Alexandrov, whose personnel work closely with those of the Military Field Surgery Chair at the Belarusian State Medical University, which is headed by the Medical Service Colonel and Associate Professor, Vladimir Korik.

By Valentina Zhdanovich

Vitaliy Pivovarchik

IN SERVICE OF HEALTH

The test system is flexible and can be adapted to solve different problems, for example, by increasing the number of defined genes. The benefits from it will not only be economic, but also social: one more ally in the struggle against this devastating illness is welcomed

Gene at the end of the tunnel Leukaemia is found each year in 60-80 young people and nearly 240 adults in our country. The efficiency in curing it in many respects depends on how quickly and precisely diagnosis is carried out. Experts are constantly striving to try to improve their methods. One new example of this is the laboratory of genetic biotechnology at the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Immunology, where a test-system for diagnosis of genetic abnormalities among children with acute leukaemia has been developed. Within a very short period of time it will allow us not only to understand what kind of blood cancer a patient is suffering from, but also to define the best approach for treatment. The work has been recognized as the best in its category at the Republican contest of innovative projects.

enetic changes in cells lead to leukaemia. If these can be identified at an early stage, we can gain valuable information from them, for example, as to what medication the illness is most susceptible. The disease which once was called ‘blood cancer’ is now subdivided into approximately

70 categories, of these, approximately eighteen subgroups are acute leukaemias. The test-system allows doctors to study up to 20 genes, important for diagnosing and understanding the disease. “First, it helps to make diagnosis precise and to choose the optimum therapy depending on the type of acute leukaemia. Secondly, there is a possibility of using targeted medications based on the

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GOOD DOCTORS genetic changes revealed by the tests. Thirdly, such diagnostics are important for assessing the efficiency of treatment and tracking the remaining cancerous cells. As we know, genetic change is the characteristic of these cells, for us it is a disease marker. If during subsequent analyses there are no changed cells, it means in all probability the patient is in remission and additionally, their presence will help to define and prevent the return of the disease,” Anatoly Kustanovich, Head of the Laboratory of Genetic Biotechnology discusses the possibilities of the method. Initially, the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre was developing its own test system to make diagnosis more effective, to find a convenient method which would be used by a small team of analysts and would allow doctors to receive the information quickly. As a result, now it takes just a day: if the cell material of patients with leukaemia arrives at the laboratory in the morning, then the result could be ready by the evening. Anatoly Kustanovich confirms it is only a part of the diagnostic process and the choice of therapy is not based only on this test, a range of other measures are also carried out. In addition, the test system is flexible and can be adapted to solve different problems, for example, by increasing the number of defined genes. Thanks to this latest development, a further advantage is that it will allow import substitution, a constant goal of the government. The Republican Scientific and Practical Centre has recently considered using the Danish company HemaVision for the study of acute leukaemia, however it was necessary to refuse the contract because of difficulties with the purchases and the high cost of analysis, at 100 Euros per person. The cost price of similar research using our own test-system is 10 times less. The new method is now at the patenting stage. The benefits from it will not only be economic, but also social: one more ally in the struggle against this devastating illness is welcomed.

Visit to a raccoon Tendency to communication with wild animals in an urban setting becomes a trend step by step

etting zoos open in Minsk. Three such zoos opened recently: in late August — in the Titan Shopping Centre (Dzer zhinsky Avenue); not long ago — in the Tivali Shopping Centre (Pritytsky Street); and at the Europe Trading Centre (Surganov Street). Another zoo will open in November, in Kamennaya Gorka. It seems that urban petting zoos are all the rage in Belarus, with many delighting in having their photo taken with slightly exotic ‘pets’, such as raccoons. However, others are displeased, believing that the environment isn’t a healthy one for wild creatures. It cannot be denied that spending time with animals is often the best therapy, especially for children who are unwell or handicapped. Psychologists and doctors agree that children’s recovery from illness is often helped by spending time with an-

imals; this is particularly true of creatures that don’t mind being stroked. The idea is being promoted in Belarus, where the group Strana Yenotia (Raccoon Country) have been responsible for launching the project. They explain that several trial sessions were organized with disabled children initially, and an increasing number of applications are now being received from orphanages, inviting raccoons, coatis and other small animals to meet the children. Recently, the first group of 15, from Minsk’s boarding school #7 (which is home to some children with Down syndrome), had the chance to welcome the furry animals. Applications are expected from various charity organisations, including those helping children suffering from anxiety and mental illness. With this in mind, disabled children are able to visit such zoos free of charge, at any time. By Olga Pasiyak

By Lyudmila Gavrilova

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ECOLOGY UNDER CONTROL

Apart from the familiar protected and endangered varieties Red Book, a Black Book is also planned: Belarusian scientists have prepared an edition describing 54 varieties of aggressive plants. These should be kept under control, and must not be allowed to penetrate nature reserves.

Something from trees migration 26

he spontaneous growth of 105 varieties of alien shrubs and trees has already been registered in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Currently, twenty percent of the national park’s is under the threat of being covered with red oak. This winter, a plan of action against this tree has been launched as well as recent five-year plan of action aimed at destruction of this migrant oak, developed jointly with APB Birdlife under the aegis of the Frankfurt Zoo Society to support the Belovezhskaya Pushcha reserve status. I’m walking along a park avenue to the administrative building. On frosty winter days, all surrounding trees look the same as they have no leaves. True beauty is observed in the autumn, however. Red oaks are pleasing to the eye. These brightly coloured ‘foreigners’ were introduced to the Pushcha in the early 20th century from the USA. Mainly at the hands of people, but slightly owing to the birds, the area

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ECOLOGY UNDER CONTROL where these trees grow occupies around 1,280 hectares. A senior research officer at the park, Dmitry Bernatsky, believes the threat from this alien variety is high. “In 2004, territory of several forestries joined the park. Many red oak trees grow there, already covering 114 hectares of the reserve. Trees and bushes are cut regularly but we now need to make a decisive step to eliminate seedlings close to forestry offices,” he comments. The national park’s head forester, Vasily Filimonov, has no doubts: the fight against red oaks will not be easy. “The hardest task is to persuade people of the danger. These ‘foreigners’ really do create a threat for the park as it pushes back our Belarusian varieties: penduculate and sessile oaks (the latter is in the Red Book).” A famous Belarusian botanist and Chair of Biological Sciences, Arkady Skuratovich, explains that, in the past, imported varieties of tree were much more modest. “Since the 1950s, we have registered foreign plants regularly,” he says. “However, this was not an issue as the plants were much more modest. Nature and the climate are changing however, the cold zone has receded and the moderate zone has reached Vitebsk. As a result, sun loving plants are spreading; in the 20th century, these only grew in the south of the country.” Alien trees come to us in different ways. Some are brought by rivers and plants and others are transported by people. Mr. Skuratovich speaks of two examples of unintentional introduction of plants. Firstly, seeds come in with wool. A wool processing facility operates in Ilyich, in Rogachev District. So far, 15 varieties of plants have come to Belarus in raw materials from Australia and New Zealand. Two of them have spent the winter season successfully and are already ‘mastering’ territory near a waste treatment works on the Dnieper bank. Secondly, seeds arrive with cranberries. The Zhuravinka experimental base operates in Gantsevichi District. With large cranberries, 24 varieties of weed have penetrated Belarus; seven of them have run out of control. According to the scientist, it’s possible to avoid this

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kind of invasion. It’s necessary to utilise waste rather than throw it away — like dacha owners do. Belaruskie Zhuraviny company (in Pinsk District) destroys all waste and the situation there is under control, compared to their colleagues in Gantsevichi Region. Goldenrod has grown wild from dachas and cemeteries, while cow parsley has now spread due to scientists who tried to grow cheap forage for cattle. Red oak has been brought in intentionally to beautify our forests. In addition, foresters cultivated black cherry for its timber. Green broom was brought as a feed for hare while silkweed was once a strategic plant for the light industry (at present, it’s a serious weed). Interestingly, we view chokeberry, mespilus and sandthorn as our native plants, these once came from abroad and are now ‘conquering’ the forests of Brest Region aggressively. It’s impos-

mind, it’s no place here for red oak and goldenrod,” he says. Sometimes plants damage not only the environment but also human health. Everyone has heard of cow parsley but few are aware of the threat of tickseed. Mr. Skuratovich comments that many pharmacies sell American tickseed rather than Belarusian; it generates no healing effect (Fortunately, it also causes no damage). Belarusians are true humanists, getting rid of ‘foreign’ plants carefully. According to Mr. Skuratovich, Northern Americans treat ‘imported’ plants very aggressively. “They simply destroy them by burning them down or using herbicides. Several years later, they re-cultivate the land to seed their own plants.” At present, there are over 300 plants acknowledged as migrants to Belarus, with 54 of

Information board on alien oak installed in national park

sible to name all foreign plants as evil. The potato was brought to our country in the 18th century and is now an integral part of the national cuisine. Mr. Skuratovich believes the situation needs to be kept under control. “I think you’d agree: the national park should contain our national plants rather than Northern American. With this in

the most aggressive contained in the Black Book (ready for publishing). Since 2015, Belpochta has released a series of stamps — Invasive Plants of Belarus; goldenrod and cow parsnip were printed first. We need to be well aware of our green enemy. By Valentina Kozlovich

Vitaliy Gil

CHARITY IS IN FAVOR

In recent years the private business has been particularly careful to the culture

Patrons are welcomed The art market greatly resembles the financial industry: both have their own investment players and long term prospects

Culture Minister Boris Svetlov: Last year, over a hundred people contributed to our fund. Of course, the amount given is not the key thing. Happily, our business culture is developing simultaneously with our art culture. Our partners understand that it’s impossible to progress in achieving material goals without support.

t’s only recently that our rich countrymen began viewing art as a form of investment, although the traditions of patronage originated in Belarus several hundred years ago. In 2015, patrons injected Br50bln into the cultural sphere. As Culture Minister Boris Svetlov said before the Belarus’ Cultural Patrons awards ceremony, “This sum would have been enough to shoot five feature films or complete the necessary work on the reconstruction of Belarusfilm.” The event took place at the Gorky Theatre — to award and congratulate the representatives of major companies and businesses which annually

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CHARITY IS IN FAVOR

Dear literally and figuratively guests were amused by actresses of the Gorky Theater Veronika Pleshkevich and Inna Savenkova…

render sponsor aid to our museums, theatres and festivals. This year, over a hundred people allocated financial assistance to culture; among them are companies, organisations and individuals who’ve significantly contributed to the support and strengthening of art in all its forms. Interestingly, patrons — when asked about their help from the point of view of the economy — assert that art should not be viewed as a financial investment. Culture is not a sphere that brings quick profits. Patronage for most of these people is not the whim of rich financiers, but a contribution to the preservation of the rich traditions of our historical heritage and the promotion of cultural appreciation in modern times. This year, money was invested in the TEART International Forum of Theatre Art, the Yuri Bashmet Festival, the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk Festival of Arts (which used almost 70 percent sponsor aid), the Alexandriya Gathers Friends holiday, the International Christmas Opera Forum and a dozen other equally interesting and important projects. The Bolshoi Theatre has long been a leader regarding the number of its

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…and darling of the people Shura Vergunov as host of the honorary awards ceremony

The Bolshoi Theatre’s Director General, Vladimir Gridyushko (on the left) can make arrangements. His theater is the leader by the number of friends and partners

We are equal partners with our sponsors. These are not onesided relations. In turn, the theatre renders certain services related to advertising. We give back as much value as we get

friends and partners. It has enjoyed strong ties with Belvnesheconombank for six years and, owing to this co-operation, the International Christmas Opera Forum was made possible. The Bolshoi Theatre’s Director General, Vladimir Gridyushko, stresses, “We are equal partners with our sponsors. These are not one-sided relations when one party simply opens a purse full of money and the other side thanks them. In turn, the theatre renders certain services related to advertising. We give back as much value as we get.” The Director of the Modern Art Centre, Natalia Sharangovich, comments, “In 2015, the Centre’s partners injected over $30,000 in art projects, with the Alpha-Bank supporting two major initiatives: the Art-Islands project and the Minsk Forum of Street Theatre.” In turn, Bank VTB supported the Artist and the City exhibition in Minsk’s Yakub Kolas Square. “We are now working on a new major exhibition project: Everything was Different. Talks with partners are underway and we hope the Year of Culture, taking place across the country in 2016, would be a good impetus,” she added. By Yuliana Leonovich

SPIRITUALITY

Devotee Cheslav

Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Rositsa village in Vitebsk Region

Confectioner became a priest, revived a forgotten village and received an award from the President

“H

elp, holy father, my heart is aching...” “What torments you, my daughter?” Cheslav Kurechko carefully gives a hand to the woman. People in despair, when they have no hope, often come to him for help, the abbot of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Rositsa village in Vitebsk Region. He revives hope by putting faith in their hearts. His parishioners call him a spiritual pastor and say, “His services and conversations with him are fascinating, his words convincing, he makes people feel better and purer.”

Today the name of Cheslav Kurechko is renowned throughout Belarus. He was awarded the Presidential award ‘For spi ritual revival’, one of the most prestigious national awards in the field of culture traditionally awarded on Christmas day. More often, its laureates are those who have everyday occupations, they teach in schools, work in hospitals, museums and rural clubs. Their selfless devotion saves the world from spiritual hard-heartedness and impoverishment. Everyone has his own way to God. In his youth, Cheslav was a normal boy who went to school

and did his national service in the North. He completed catering college and was a culinary expert working at a restaurant, when he then decided to submit an application to the theological seminary. Nine years ago Rositsa was an unpromising village with a population of one hundred people. With his arrival, the village began to revive and change. The Holy Trinity Catholic Church, restored by

Reference  The award ‘For Spiritual Revival’ has been given by the President of the Republic of Belarus for 19 years in succession. At this time, about one hundred people of different trades, composite authors and labour collectives from all over the country, have received the award. The first laureates of 1997 were: People’s Artiste of the USSR Victor Rovda, prior of the church in ho nour of the Icon of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow Igor Korostelev, sister of charity Vera Plyushcheva, and the ensemble Chistyi Golos.

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SPIRITUALITY

 Speaking to the stars The Belarusian State University students conduct Mother Language Day

Igor Matveev

Lane from thujas, barberry and blackthorn, which was planted by Cheslav Kurechko

Nine years ago Rositsa was an unpromising village with a population of one hundred people. With Cheslav's arrival, the village began to revive and change. The Holy Trinity Catholic Church, restored by the efforts of Cheslav Kurechko, became the centre of spiritual attraction. Pilgrims from neighbouring villages, and from other countries came to visit it the efforts of Cheslav Kurechko, became the centre of spiritual attraction. Pilgrims from neighbouring villages, and from other countries came to visit it in memory of the priests Antoniy Lyashchevich and Yury Kashira who, together with civilians, were burnt by the fascists in February, 1943. The invaders offered them a chance to escape, but they refused, deciding to share fate of their flock. More than seven hundred people died in the fire. In the summer, a sea of flowers covers the place. Evergreen thujas, barberry and blackthorn, a symbol of the thorns representative of martyrs and blood, leads from the church to the graves. Father Cheslav planted the lane with his own hands. “I inherited a love of flowers from my mother who died when I was six years old. She wanted one of her sons to become a priest. I have fulfilled her desire,” says Cheslav Kurechko.

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The holy father is convinced that the power of people is in love: to God, their family, their native land. He gets up at dawn every day, and devotes a lot of time to his parishioners, helping them to understand family and personal problems. He even holds separate services for men and women. The holy father says that after such heart-to-heart talks people quite often reconsider their attitude to life. Interfaith friendship in Rositsa and the neighbouring villages, guided by father Cheslav is the normal way of life. On the Catholic Christmas Eve or Orthodox Christmas, residents gather at a communal table for a festive tea. Father Cheslav bakes many delicious things with which he treats both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. After all, his previous profession was a confectioner. By Sergey Pimenov

eek-long International Mother Language Day at the Belarusian State University, organized by Philology Department, invites colleagues from other universities The Wings Grow from Words event launched the holiday, led by the Philology Department students at the Military Department of the Belarusian State Aviation Academy. Students read verse by Yakub Kolas, Yanka Kupala, Maxim Bogdanovich, Rygor Borodulin, Pimen Panchenko and other Belarusian poets. Other highlights included a lecture by an employee of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Timofey Avilin, who spoke on ethno-astronomy, and was ‘bombarded’ with questions. In his 90-minute session, he explained how our ancestors perceived the night sky and discussed superstitions surrounding shooting stars, as well as how the Milky Way gained its name, and the concept of Slavonic astrology. The intellectual baton then passed to first-year students of ‘Belarusian Philology’, ‘Russian Philology’ and ‘Slavonic Philology’, with the youngsters playing a game called ‘Philology and I’. The major event was a linguistic parlour, at which Alexander Lukashanets (a corresponding member of Belarus’ NAS) gave a lecture on the Belarusian language. The week finished with a Day of Belarusian Translation, led by Mikhail Kenko, a translator and Associate Professor of the Literature Theory Chair at the BSU’s Philology Department. His translations of Belarusian works into Russian, and translation of Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Slovak, Czech and German works into Belarusian have made a huge contribution to literary heritage.

DISTINCTIVE PLACE

Everyone knows the road to library Belarus’ National Library is no mere treasure-house, or museum, but a place of activity and, illuminated by night, is visible from space

he f irst building you see on arriving in Minsk from the Moscow road is the ‘d i a m o n d’, s p a rkling from ever y a n g l e . You c a n’t help feeling proud of the new National Library building, which was built from public funds generated during subbotniks (work-

ing Saturdays) and from TV marathons. It’s one of Europe’s top book treasuries, holding over 9mln books and holding up to 2,000 readers simultaneously in its reading halls. With the latest equipment, it’s the envy of the world’s most advanced libraries. With automated, computerised search and supply systems, every request for books is processed within minutes: barely enough time to have

a cup of tea. In Paris, readers wait for over an hour. You can also order books online, on registering at nlb.by. The library’s archive even contains volumes published in 1830: editions by Pushkin and Gogol, printed while the authors were still alive. People come not only to read or thumb through old newspapers but to view the modern ar ts on show. “At the moment, the Laby-

Facts  Next year, the National Library will celebrate its 95th anniversary of first foundation.  Its book shelves stretch 90km.  The building aims to be included in the Guinness Book as the world’s largest polyhedron.  The library is named the ‘diamond’ or ‘crystal’ although its geometric figure is actually a rhombicub-octahedron.  The library is among the world’s top 50 most unusual buildings, placed 24th, ahead of Beijing’s National Stadium, a Las Vegas casino and the largest tower in Barcelona.

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DISTINCTIVE PLACE rinth Gallery is hosting an exhibition by sculptor Maxim Petrulya,” comments Lyudmila Klimova, the chief librarian of the Special Fund’s Service Department. “It’s extremely busy in the evening, when people come to stroll after work.” Children are also welcome. You can hear their happy voices, but it doesn’t annoy anyone. Staff supervise them in the playroom, while adults prepare for exams and study. Children are happy watching cartoons and playing educational games. There’s a concert hall on the second floor, where silence is actively discouraged. Anyone can play the piano there and music lovers can visit the neighbouring room, filled with scores and audio-visual documents. The 17,000 vinyl records stored there include Debussy’s Moonlight and Michel Jackson’s ‘golden’ discs. Another room, many times used for top-level guest negotiations, features a huge tapestry, covering the whole wall. Actually, many rooms in the National Library have histori-

By the way Receiving a library card Belarusian and Russian citizens may request a library card, on presentation of their passport. However, anyone can enter the reading halls, using a single-time card from the socio-cultural centre, on presenting identification.

cal memories already, having hosted summits of the CIS member states, sessions of the EurAsEC Interstate Council and press conferences with the Belarusian President. Meanwhile, the observation level is a great hit with tourists, who love to take photos of the city panorama. Open from midday to 11pm, entrance costs Br30,000. Address: 116 Nezavisimosti Avenue.

Secrets of antiquity Ms. Klimova is rightfully proud of the National Library, telling us, “Where else can you see a Bible printed by Belarusian Frantsisk Skorina, in Prague, 500 years ago? Only at our library! We have several editions dating back to 1830.” Folios from the Radziwills’ collections are also kept at the library. The magnates of the Rzecz Pospolita’s richest family

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brought the best books to Nesvizh, and spent much time writing, studying and drawing. Their literary heritage is among UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Among the treasures is the original score of Anton Henry Radziwill’s Faust opera. The antique books department is always full of people eager to view editions bound in wooden board or leather, gospels written on moire cloth and decorated with golden clasps, collections of Old Believers’ songs and manuscripts in Arabic. Several shelves are devoted to miniatures, which require a magnifying glass to view; those containing works by Pushkin and Kolas are the most popular. The hall regularly hosts important events, including international, but is open to all visitors at other times. By Kristina Khilko

SELF-DEVOTION

In the best traditions Belarusian Vladimir Lihodedov and Vladimir Peftiev please with new wonderful book edition The beautifully designed and printed book is truly among the best editions devoted to the 1000th anniversary. Moreover, it’s a continuation of the book series published as part of the In Search of the Lost scientific-educational project — run jointly with the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper and the Zvyazda Publishing House.

n 2015, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia celebrated the 1000th anniversary of repose of the baptiser and enlightener of Rus — the Holy Equal-of-theApostles Great Duke Vladimir. A number of church, public and state events were held to mark the date: monuments were unveiled, churches were laid and consecrated to honour the Great Duke, scientific conference were held and numerous editions and publications were released. Among them was a book-album — Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Duke Vladimir — prepared by Vladimir Lihodedov and Vladimir Peftiev. The book was based on illustrations from the authors’ collections and primarily featured old postcards and photos depicting Orthodox churches in times of St. Vladimir. Monuments, cities, avenues, streets and other establishments named after him were also represented. The edition also included a historical es-

say devoted to the Rus baptiser’s life and deeds, as well as his relics and all forms of veneration. The beautifully designed and printed book is truly among the best editions devoted to the 1000th anniversary. Moreover, it’s a continuation of the book series published as part of the In Search of the Lost scientific-educational project — run jointly with the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper and the Zvyazda Publishing House. The name of a historian, collector and deltiologist — Vladimir Lihodedov — is well known in Belarus much owing to his numerous publications and wonderful books. As part of the In Search of the Lost, he’s released several albums: St. Alexander Nevsky, The Year of 1812, Minsk: Time Travel, Tadeusz Kościuszko in Old Photos and Graphics, Synagogues, Stars of Motherland, Belarus Through Lenses of 1915-1918 German Soldier, Adam Mickiewicz and

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others. Mr. Lihodedov’s books have been presented at the US Congress Library, as well as book fairs in Frankfurt, Warsaw and Vilnius. The author has also organized several shows of postcards and photos devoted to late 19th-early 20th century Belarus. Restless enthusiast Lihodedov proposes to establish a museum of printed and paper business, in Minsk and Vileika — to restore old printing tools able to republish editions of Frantsisk Skorina or Ivan Fiodorov and to print ancient etchings and engravings. The historian has studied the publishing sphere — investigating documents containing information on technologies used for paper making and publishing. On the basis of engravings from the Skorina times, a printing tool has been made; matrixes and forms were cast, with texts from the Bible. The book was printed on hand-made flax paper

— pro duced upon the ancient technology of scraping. Overall, seven copies of the Skorina Bible were produced on the restored tool (there are only several of them exist in the world — including one in Belarus). The book almost does not differ from its original. Actually, to produce a facsimile or reprinted copy is not a problem nowadays as the technological pro-

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cess is well developed; however, it’s truly a rare case when a book is restored upon an ancient technology. Mr. Lihodedov plans to also print other editions released at Belarusian publishing houses in the 16 th -17 th century. Russia, Poland and Germany have already demonstrated interest in his project; Poles, in particular, are not against a possibility to restore the Zabludowski Gospel. In 2006, Mr. Lihodedov received the ‘For Spiritual Revival’ Award while his colleagues and friend — Vladimir Peftiev — is mostly known among businessmen. He is a passio nate collector, a local land researcher and a patron. Mr. Peftiev devotes much time to his hobby and is actually a follower of the best traditions of the famous business elite representatives. Mr. Lihodedov and Mr. Peftiev work as a single artistic tandem for a long time already. They’ve jointly pre p a re d a n d p u b lished The Chronology of 1812 Wa r i n O l d Po stc ard s a n d

Graphics to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1812 War, while organizing a thematic exhibition and unveiling a monument to the 1812 victims not far from Vileika. The two men are united by common interests and hobbies. Importantly, they share a single love to the cultural heritage. We cannot but appreciate these restless authors’ efforts and wish them all possible luck in their noble activity. Priest Gordey Shcheglov, Professor at the Minsk Theological Academy

Vitaliy Gil

PRESENTATION

 From the depth of centuries Thousands years of Belarusian history are condensed into just ten information stands

he National History Museum’s high-tech exhibition entitled, Belarus and Belarusians, is worth a visit as it’s the first mobile show describing Belarus’ cultural and historical achievements in such detail. The exhibition is truly unique. The project can be assembled and dismantled easily and is convenient for transportation, occupying little space. Multi-media technology integrated into the stands can translate the information into any language. It’s no surprise that, when exhibited at the Foreign Ministry, the show caused considerable interest among the diplomatic corps in Belarus. The Deputy Foreign Minister, Yelena Kupchina, spoke about the success of the project, “Our exhibition aims to present Belarus’ history and culture abroad. We would like all nations to learn that Belarus is a sovereign state which has its own glorious and dramatic historical periods. In 2016 — announced as the Year of Culture, we plan to continue strengthening Belarus’ independence, state and identity — including in the international arena. Our mobile exhibition project is one contribution to this.”

ORIGINALITY

Hand-made fashions Anton Talashko, 23, is bucking modern trends, caring little for technology or the latest football results in the Champions’ League. After graduating from a Gomel university, he decided to return to his native Malorita, explaining, “Money matters little to me. It’s much more important to do what brings pleasure.”

n Malorita, he lectures in electrical-technical engineering at the Agricultural Lyceum, spending his spare time in museums or at his embroidery machine. He is fascinated by traditional Belarusian motifs, which he prints on T-shirts, aprons and fleeces. Anton is convinced that these motifs have relevance today, and will grow in popularity. Looking at his work, it’s hard not to agree. “Around eight months ago, I saw popular ‘vyshimaika’ (embroidered T-shirts). I loved the idea and decided to create something of my own,” the young man comments. “T-shirt printing is actually quite simple, so it doesn’t interest me, but placing Belarusian ornamentation via embroidery is another matter. My mother taught me the skill and I set myself the goal of not only making beautiful clothes but promoting the rich diversity of Belarusian costume.” Anton began focusing on traditional ‘kashulya’ but then put the idea aside, being eager to create something both modern and ‘ancient’. It’s turned

Profile Anton Talashko, 23, graduated from the Gomel State Technical University named after P. O. Sukhoy. He lectures in electrical-technical engineering at the Malorita Agricultural Lyceum. This year, Anton registered as a craftsman, setting up the Rodny Kut workshop. He has won a UNDP grant to realize his social project of preserving and promoting Belarusian ornamentation and the production of unique clothes for groups such as sports clubs and children’s teams.

out that Belarusian motifs look great on daily clothes. To develop his ideas, Anton went to the Malorita District Centre of Folk Crafts. “I’d lived all my life in Malorita but had only visited the Centre a couple of times,” he says. “I could hardly have imagined that it would be so interesting. Malorita clothing is unique, as is well documented in books on the history of Belarusian costume. Our district presented around 80 costumes at Dozhynki; interestingly, only two were for men.” Anton took photos of motifs and patterns and found them online, digitizing them, which can be rather timeconsuming. He explains, “In working with a pattern, I’m always struck by our masters’ talent and patience. It’s hard to imagine how much time they needed to create a single pattern. Probably, they worked through the winter, when there was little field work.” It takes around three hours for Anton to embroider one T-shirt and, so far, he has digitized almost 130 Belarusian motifs and patterns have. He admits that each garment is unique, being made by hand.

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ORIGINALITY

 Patterns for the sash Mogilev Region weavers are working over Belarus’ longest sash

“O

Not long ago, the young man embroidered a wedding dress with white threads, having been inspired by designs at the Malorita Centre of Folk Crafts. The dress was beautiful and unique and far less expensive than those from the shops. Anton can’t help but view his hobby as a social project rather than a business, as it’s much easier to make money from printed T-shirts. His goals differ, as he points out that the legacy of skills often dies with the master, losing traditions. “I’d love to preserve them, to demonstrate that we boast such rich culture. Sadly, many have no idea of this.” By Pavel Losich

Expert’s point of view Valentina Strunets, Director of the Malorita District Centre of Folk Crafts: I greatly appreciate and respect Anton Talashko’s business. In recent times, there’s been lively interest in Belarusian motifs and patterns. Some time ago, traditional Belarusian clothes were viewed as oldfashioned — as if from granny’s trunk. Anton’s work shows that ‘authentic’ can be given a modern twist. It’s a delight to see clothes with traditional Belarusian patterns enjoying increasing popularity with the younger generation.

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Clothes produced by the Rodny Kut (Native Land) workshop enjoy demand across all ages, being ordered online and bought at shows and concerts, by people from Belarus and abroad. Anton is pleased and inspired by the fashion for Belarusian clothes. “It’s esp e cia l ly wonder f u l w hen someone makes a conscious choice to wear clothes with Belarusian ornamentation, rather than following some modern trend. People understand that patterns and motifs are part of our history, uniting Belarusians. Pleasingly, some people’s interests reach beyond the latest mobile handset,” he adds.

ur master weavers plan to decorate the sash with new patterns and decoration and to try new weaving techniques, discovered during ethnographic exhibitions in their regions. This will not merely be work on the sash but also master classes for those wishing to study this ancient craft, traditional for Mogilev Region,” noted the Chair of the Mogilev Union of Folk Masters, Natalia Dominikova. Last year, during the regional weaving seminar, the craftswomen laid the foundations for the rarity. At present, the sash is 35m long and 15cm wide. It will exceed 50m by the Kupalie holiday which is traditionally held in the agro-town of Alexandria of Shklov District in early July. To assist the project, master weavers from various corners of the region will come to

Mogilev each month and continue to work on the sash. The presentation of this unique item will be held on the Kupalie holiday (as last year). It’s expected that guests will be able to admire the sash as well as make a contribution to its weaving. Folk craftswomen will also help visitors master the secrets of this ancient craft.

EXHIBITIONS

Chronicle of Middle Ages and modern times The National History Museum exhibits princes’ letters and TV puppets

he exhibition has been long awaited, notes the director of the National History Museum, Oleg Ryzhkov, who has announced it time and again. Naturally, the international project has required co-ordination between Lithuanian and Belarusian archives in sharing rarities once owned by the Radziwiłł family, those princes of ancient times, the ‘uncrowned kings’ of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Radziwiłł Family: Great Epoch of Princes exhibition shows the magnates not only in the context of the history of Belarus but more widely, as owners of lands in Lithuania, and elsewhere in Europe. At the exhibition, I heard an interesting story about a book published in the 17th century Amsterdam by Adam Freiberg, on the subject of fortification.

Bogusław Radziwiłł, who lived at that time, bought the edition abroad and was advised by his father to bring the author to Lithuania. So it was that Freiberg arrived in the city of Biržai, where he constructed the residence of the Radziwiłł family, following

t h e most modern of techniques. The strong fortress proved impregnable for some time. A student of Freiberg later constructed a similar citadel in Slutsk. The exhibition demonstrates that modern Belarus and Lithuania had more in common in the past than we may

realize. A tile found during excavations of the palace of grand princes in Vilnius is very similar to those found by archaeologists at Mir Castle. Rare 16th-18th century books show that the Radziwiłł family preferred books in Polish and Latin languages. One large Bible, published in Brest in 1563, was ordered by Mikołaj Radziwiłł Czarny, the patron of the Protestant religious movement at that time, printed not in Belarusian, but in Polish. Such was the cultural fashion of that time. Belarus, on the crossroad between Poland and Russia, was influenced by its strongest neighbours. The National History Museum is showing, for the first time, documents from the archive of the Slutsk Holy Trinity Monastery. Monks sent letters across Belarus and even to Kiev, often sealing with an ancient coat of arms. Amazingly, these fragile objects have survived wars and fires and are now available for viewing.

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EXHIBITIONS

At the exhibition at the National History Museum

The heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is also on show inside the House-museum of the First RSDRP. Its Weaponry and Honour: In Service of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania exhibition reveals that, more than 600 years ago, Tatars arrived in Belarus and Lithuania

Tatar costume, for both sexes. There’s even the armour of a late 14th-early 15th century soldier, complete with helmet, shield, chain mail, belt, sabre, spear and gonfalon. Fans of modern culture should visit the House of Masons, located in Musical

The Radziwiłł Family: Great Epoch of Princes exhibition shows the magnates not only in the context of the history of Belarus but more widely, as owners of lands in Lithuania, and elsewhere in Europe from Crimea. They served in the army of the grand prince, built mosques, and copied the Koran into Belarusian using Arabic letters. Even today, several thousand descendants still live here, and are almost impossible to distinguish from Belarusians and Lithuanians, having been assimilated. The exhibition displays objects from everyday life and

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Lane, in Minsk. Part of the Museum of Theatrical and Musical Culture, it features a collection of puppets from Nina Shoba’s Kalykhanka (Lullaby): a children’s favourite with which every Belarusian is familiar. Who doesn’t know dog Tsyava, cat Martin, girl Vasilinka, boy Vasilek, Zhuravlik (stork), old man Boroded, bear cub Topa, and fox Yana?

On display also are rare photos from the show, including those of film sets, and the costumes worn during filming. Creator Nina, now retired, admits that she still likes to watch the show before going to sleep. This year, the old hero of the programme, Zhuravlik, returned. Actress Emiliya Pranskutse is voicing the role. Children love the programme so much that they often write to the puppet characters. Over the past 35 years, it has lulled young Belarusians to sleep, with the aid of 40 puppets. Not all remain: only about 20 reside in the museum, restored by Marina Fomina. She tells us, “Some had a damaged mechanism, so I repaired with hammer and nails. For Vasilinka, I embroidered a waistcoat using a sewing machine, while I hand cross-stitched a shirt for Vasilek.” The History Museum, as you can see, is not only a warehouse of medieval treasures but a living chronicle. Having visited, you can leave your own chronicle in the guest book, to be viewed by someone else in the future. By Viktar Korbut

FULL CHRONICLE

“Ancient Turov” archeological complex. Diggings

Turov —

cradle of nationhood

Sergey Lasiuk

It started to reveal its secrets relatively recently

urov and Polotsk have no equal among other Belarusian cities for their contribution to the history of Belarus. Polotsk, like Turov, boasts not only scientific achievements but unique historical buildings. In the 13th century, when Kievan Rus was experiencing its greatest civil strife, the city ceased to play an essential role and, in due course, became insignificant within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Polesie environment also promoted its oblivion, since the damp marsh air destroyed invaluable evidence of the former historical role of Turov. In the mid 1990s, I stayed in that town of just 4,000-5,000 people, in w hich t he wooden homes

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Archaeologist Piotr Lysenko, a laureate of the State Award of Belarus, and Doctor of Historical Sciences

The Local History Museum. Knitting loom

Sergey Lasiuk

had darkened. Badly organized streets led to the only square and, downstream of the highwater Pripyat, was a majestic man-made hill: an Orthodox cathedral once stood there. You walk on history in the town, as I remember finding on coming across several dark-grey pieces of ceramic in a garden allotment. Apparently, there are 3m of soil in which artefacts may be hidden. Turov has begun to reveal its secrets, notes famous archaeologist Piotr Lysenko, a laureate of the State Award of Belarus, and Doctor of Historical Sciences. He stresses that Turov is equal in standing with ancient Polotsk, Kiev and Chernigov. The foundations of the above-mentioned Orthodox cathedral are the largest find, at the top of the hill, on the bank of the Pripyat. Until recently, geese and cattle grazed there. The configuration of the building, so similar to the St. Sophia Cathedrals in Kiev and Polotsk, shows Turov’s connection with the ancient Slavic state. The cathedral was founded in the 1150s-1170s, by order of the outstanding Orthodox theologian and first Belarusian writer and bishop, Kirill Turovsky. His amazing eloquence can be compared with that of John Chrysostom. Historians are familiar with his 69 original sermons and other hand-written works, which provide evidence of oratorical talent, and his political weight. Our contemporaries have believe the find has historical and public importance, as the former Chairman of Gomel Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Yakobson, asserted when the find first came to light. Piotr Lysenko appealed to him for support and was allocated

“Ancient Turov” archeological complex. Slaty sarcophagus

the necessary finances to build a shelter for the foundations, made from glass and anodized aluminium. This protected it from the elements and allowed excavations to proceed efficiently. Within a few months, a museum had opened in the corner of the ruin. The Orthodox Church recognized the ancient cathedral and, since then, mass has been held annually, in memory of Kirill Turovsky. Thousands of believers regularly arrive to worship at the sacred place, looking from a platform down onto stone and brick almost ten centuries old. The place has a particular atmosphere, which relaxes some and makes others uneasy. Some even faint. In fact, an earthquake, which originated in the Carpathian Mountains, caused much destruction to the cathedral in 1230. Local residents pilfered the stonework to build their own homes, but several unique sarcophaguses made from slate remained and have been unearthed. Nothing similar has been found elsewhere in Belarus. Inside one was found the remains of a child: perhaps the young son of a prince. Directly behind the church wall, a young woman’s remains have been uncovered. Her skull, being well preserved, allowed artist Leonid Yashenko to create a bust of her. Today, its plaster copy decorates Mr. Lysenko’s office, at the NAS of Belarus’ Institute of History. She looks attractive, and similar to young women today. According to the scientist, she may have been the favourite concubine of the prince. It has been several decades since Piotr Lysenko purposefully investigated Turov District, discovering so much of interest. The Dregovichi tribe lived in the

FULL CHRONICLE south of current day Belarus, and the principality of Turov was formed in the 10th century, when great Kievan Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich divided his grand principality between his sons. His third son, Sviatopolk, received Turov. At that time, Turov played an important role in Kievan Rus. In the 11th century, three of the six great Kievan princes were representatives of the Turov dynasty. Dynastic relations were complex, with Vladimir

level, of course. A monument to Kirill Turovsky, made by artist Mikhail Inkov, has been erected at the significant place of the city, based upon a depiction found on a lead plate, by Piotr Lysenko, during excavations. The Orthodox tradition continues via the majestic cathedral erected in the centre of Turov. Local residents have preserved through the centuries their own dialect and gestures. These distinguish them

Ancient Turov is only now restoring its historical greatness. At the modern level, of course. A monument to Kirill Turovsky, made by artist Mikhail Inkov, has been erected at the significant place of the city Monomakh carrying on intrigue in pursuit of the Turov throne, despite custom declaring that his son should reign. At the time, Turov principality stretched impressively from the Pripyat to modern Minsk, from the Dnieper River to lands beyond the Zapadny Bug (those belonging today to Poland). Turov Principality, alongside Polotsk, was a powerful centre of Belarusian statehood. This sheds new light on the nature of Kievan Rus, showing its political, cultural, ethnic and territorial self-sufficiency. Ancient Turov is only now restoring its historical greatness. At the modern

from other Belarusians, as the Director of the Turov Centre for Creativity of Children and Youth, Yelena Poklonskaya, underlines. Born in Turov, she believes these features allow us a glimpse of how people would have spoken and behaved centuries ago, including princes. Proud yet sensitive, they differ from those living in nearby Polesie villages. While Turov residents preferred austere attire, in a single colour, their neighbours often chose brightly

embroidered aprons, jackets and skirts. Turov even has its own dictionary, over several volumes. Turov aspires to preserve its legacy, and plans to publish its dictionary of Turov dialect. The Turov Society, over which Piotr Lysenko presides, has published more than 20 literary miscellanies and books devoted to the history of his native land and its people. Pupils at the Children’s Creativity Centre sew amulet dolls and make clay figures, while studying the history of the ancient princely army. The city has great hopes for the future too, with the local dairy plant building upon its global reputation for cheeses. A second stage of construction is planned, aiming to double production volumes. Meanwhile, tourism is developing, thanks to various historical sights. There is a strange stone cross, which appears to grow from the ground, and the floating hotel on the Pripyat River (the only one such in Belarus). You can fish from the deck! Turov is now filled with modern homes and the centre is paved. A granite monument bears an inscription about Turov, with words quoted from the annals. The city aspires to find a worthy place in history, recalling its ancient power. By Vladimir Bibikov

Interesting facts

Sergey Lasiuk

 Turov city is known as a motherland of ancient theologian and philosopher Kirill Turovsky (1130-1182), saints Martin and Lavrenty Turovsky also lived there. In the XIIth century 2 monasteries and 85 churches operated in Turov Principality

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Ivan Zhdanovich

COMPONENT OF ART their 7th wedding anniversary, in 2012. The event was held in a shop in Nemiga Street, with five people taking part. “We were shown how to make a postcard in under an hour,” she recollects. It only involved a flower, couple of leaves and a butterfly but I’ve kept it as a reminder of how I began quilling.” Quilling has been a pastime since the late 14th century, in Mediterranean Europe, invented by monks, using paper from the gilded edges of books, to simulate golden miniatures in poor churches. The art gradually spread all over the world, and became especially widespread in Germany and in Great Britain. The technique is simple, but requires patience, assiduity, dexterity and accuracy, as well as rich imagination. By the 19th century, such paper filigree work was considered to be a woman’s hobby rather than a true art form, and fell out of favour. However, it returned to popularity about two decades ago. Admired by Queen Elizabeth II, her own creations are on show at the famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Lyudmila asserts that it’s good to use your imagination, using not just paper but feathers, dried flowers, pinecones

Such boundless flights of imagination Lydmila Bulova wishes to bring distinctive national features in the ancient art of quilling

uilling is the art of making flat or three-dimensional compositions from rolled paper strips, long and narrow. Lyudmila BulovaZhdanovich tells us

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that some call it paper filigree. Spirals are made in various forms, and then composed into postcards, pictures, photoframes and many other things. Early on, the spirals were wound around the quills of bird feathers. Lyudmila’s husband, Timofei, gave her entry to a master class as a gift on

‘Sunflowers.’ Fragment of the panel picture

COMPONENT OF ART and herbs, and beads. She comments, “Having made dozens of works, I know that making pictures is of most interest to me. I’ve perfected the technique on postcards, and have acquired quillingdexterity. Now, I make still life compositions and receive orders. It’s been almost two years since I became a craftswoman, registered for income tax. Annually, I pay the equivalent of one basic salary in tax [Br210,000 or about $10]. As to what I can create, you can view my page on the Odnoklassniki social network. Word of mouth also works. People who’ve seen my postcards want to buy them for themselves or for friends. I make invitations for weddings, and birthday cards and souvenirs. Sometimes, customers choose their own

povichi District, in the summer. They’d worked hard to study my techniques. It was the first such card I’d received, and I keep it still,” smiles Lyudmila. Lyudmila also recollects a summer trip to see grandmother Olya and grandfather Ivan, in the village of Yatskovschina, in Lyakhovichi District of Brest Region. The elderly couple had a pile of postcards, alongside photos, and let Lyudmila cut the cards up to create appliqués, vases and caskets. “As far as I remember, I always wanted to create something beautiful. Once, online, I found an article about old postcards and their value. Some I recognized from my childhood, from Yatskovcshina! I’d collected postcards myself and Timofei knew that handicrafts had always inter-

er’s bed and my own, showing beautiful turkeys and roses. My grandmother also wove doormats and narrow rugs for the floor. She loved embroidery, always having some on the go in her bag, with embroidery threads.” Lyudochka’s grandmother never spoke of the therapeutic aspect of needlework but, after many years, Luda has grasped this for herself. She explains that you need to let your thoughts drift, not focusing on any particular problem. Then, you find tranquillity and consolation. The problem remains but you feel better able to deal with it. “It’s not for nothing that women always used to embroider, even those who were gentrified. When you make something by hand, your head comes into order and becomes clear. It’s

Quilling is a form of self-expression, revealing the soul colours. In honesty, making these isn’t too interesting. I’d rather make original works. Sometimes, I become enthusiastic about an idea and it’s so exciting. It’s as if I’m cultivating something inside me, which makes me proud.” Lyudmila began spending more time quilling while at home with her small son, Boriska. In 2013, after returning to work (as an advanced manufacturing engineer at the Publishing Centre of the Belarusian State University) she began making postcards in the evenings. “I loved it!” she admits. Her daughter, Dasha, has been inspired to try her hand too, although she’s yet to grasp finer motor skills. Quilling is great for adults and for children. “Ima gine my happiness when, for my 35th birthday, I received a card from my children, made with the help of the grandfather, Piotr. We were visiting him in our home village of Pogoreloye, in Osi-

‘Dozhynki’ composition ested me, which inspired his master class gift. People say that I’m talented and perhaps it’s true. It may be a divine gift to help me emotionally. It’s more than entertainment; it gives me strength.” Our ancestor Belarusians knew about the ‘curative’ effect of handicrafts. In her grandmother Olya’s house, she always admired the embroidered, selfwoven tablecloth and the embroidered napkins placed on the icons. “I still have a tablecloth from Yatskovschina,” says Lyudmila. “I remember self-woven blankets, which covered my grandmoth-

wonderful to see chaos become harmony. Perhaps, this harmony heals my soul. When your mind is in chaos, there can be no order in your life: in business, health, or relations with people. You feel restless, as your soul is in pain. You feel sorry for yourself. Through creative effort, chaos becomes beauty and happiness, as in fairy-tales, where the frog turns into a prince. People have known about the influence of needlework on the subconscious since olden times. When you need to ‘wind down’, needlework is the answer!”

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JUBILEE

By Ivan Ivanov

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I’m a happy man. In the morning, I walk and think ‘Thank God, this is my native theatre!’; it’s a wonderful feeling

Ramil Nasibulin

She gains huge enjoyment from looking at her crafted achievements, telling us, “My soul becomes full of happiness! When I want to make something interesting, and have an idea, my fingers begin to move and I know straight away that something wonderful will be created. The anticipation is great. You design, sketch out, plan and then enter another plane of thought and feeling, creating a flower or a leaf. In creating a picture, you find yourself at peace. Quilling is a form of self-expression, revealing the soul. I also gain pleasure from seeing others’ pleasure.” Some of her works have been given away and she has no photograph to remember them by; others she remembers to record. It usually takes two evenings to make a large composition, once the children are sleeping, working from 11pm until around 2am. Compositions of А3 size take longer, made especially for offices, anniversaries or birthdays. Lyudmila once made a three-dimensional vase with flowers. She is currently interested in national themes, making a ‘Dozhynki’ (a harvest festival) last year, and special images for Kupalie night, Christmas, and other national holidays. “My mother-in-law was a junior school teacher but is now retired and lives in Volozhin, where she has a house, living with her husband. His brother Ilya joins them every year for Christmas,” comments Lyudmila. “Irina Borisovna lays the table, puts hay under the tablecloth, and prepares seven traditional dishes. There’s an expectation of happiness, love and light: with the Christmas star, houses, snowflakes and hoar-frost patterns. All is dark-blue, shining with golden bells. On Christmas Eve, we go to the old wooden church, joining many others. I’d love to create a picture of the church.” As to her secrets, Lyudmila answers, “Secrets are endless. My imagination has its secrets but, through quilling, I hope to unearth them. Each time I start a new piece of work, I say a prayer; when I finish, I thank God for his help and support.”

Don Juan, also known as Onegin Vladimir Petrov celebrates 30 years on Bolshoi Theatre stage

ccording to Swiss musical critics, Vladimir Petrov is the best Don Juan in the history of opera. He recently celebrated his 60th birthday, and 30 years on the stage. Having graduated from the Conservatoire in Sverdlovsk, he arrived in Minsk, at the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, and has worked there ever since. His first role was immediately ‘aristocratic’, playing Onegin. “It was Fate,” admits the singer. “I’ve toured many countries worldwide in that role, including Israel, France and Germany, and have always been welcomed with enthusiasm and excitement. This opera remains relevant in theme always, dealing with love, jealousy and life’s struggles.”

Mr. Petrov has worked with Gérard Depardieu, who is loved dearly by Belarusians. The duo performed in Paris, in an opera by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály, called Hari Janos. The singer calls promoter Dino Arici his creative teacher. Due to him, the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus has performed at the most prestigious festivals, together with leading world soloists. “We’ve performed wonderful works: Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, Bizet’s Carmen, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Verdi’a Aida,” notes Mr. Petrov. In 2015, Mr. Petrov was awarded the highest award of the Union of Theatrical Figures of Belarus — the Crystal Paulinka, and was given the Frantsisk Skorina Oder on the eve of his birthday. The opera maître has many times been offered an American or European passport but, to the joy of Minskers, the ‘golden baritone’ won’t think of leaving the Bolshoi Theatre. He has celebrated his creative jubilee as a leading soloist with three performances at world level, as Duke Yeletsky in the Queen of Spades, as Gryazny in The Tsar’s Bride, and in Rigoletto. By Kristina Khilko

CINEMA SCREEN

To watch fate is interesting Documentary film by director Galina Adamovich, viewed as a short film textbook Profile Galina Adamovich is the author of over twenty documentaries; most of them have been acknowledged at domestic and foreign film festivals. Her My God (2005) received the prize of the best short documentary in Karlovy Vary, while Zavedenka (2007) was named the best Belarusian national film.

he film has nothing in common with official movies which are commonly shot as part of state requests in the documentary genre. It was shot at the Belarusfilm Studio to mark the Presidential elections, under the banner of the Culture Ministry. The film is not rose-tinted, Belarus and its people are depicted as they are, without exaggeration, propaganda or beautification. Audiences have thanked the director for the positive attitude and warmth contained within the film. Work such as this is natural for Galina Adamovich. She shuns run of the mill documentary styling and, in this recent work, the director demonstrates how the country has changed in twenty-five years.

Folk elite It’s a challenge to mention so many events from all different areas life in just 52 minutes. How did you begin to plan your work? This is the key issue: what principle should be behind a film. In a sea of positive events, there were also things to be remembered with sorrow: the explosion in the Minsk metro and the Nemiga congestion. We thought about it for a long

time and, eventually, the Deputy Culture Minister, Irina Driga, proposed that we visit the Sovetskaya Belarus’ Editor-inChief, Pavel Yakubovich. During our meeting, we discussed the structure of our film and the idea was born. This film depicts everything that the documentary makers have seen. Kilometres of film were used, but we’ve chosen the most important, interesting and significant events from those shot by Stanislav Gaiduk, Victor Aslyuk, Mikhail Zhdanovsky, Yuri Gorulev, Nikolay Knyazev and Sergey Katier. The film is subjective and this has been my conscious choice. I think my colleagues would have done the same. I tried to choose the parts that describe our progress. How did you manage your task? Ideally, the whole team of journalists should work on such films; they study situations and people. On this occasion, I acted as scriptwriter, director and host. It was necessary to decide quickly who would be shot at a nuclear power station, how filming would be organized at a cardio-surgery department and what agrocomplex would be featured in Grodno or Brest Region. I was carried away with the whole film and really enjoying communicating with all those people; they produced a great energy. These are the true elite of our society.

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CINEMA SCREEN

People with nuclear energy What part of the filming was the most important for you? It was most important for me to work at the Ostrovets nuclear power station as I had an ambiguous attitude to it. I know this part of Belarus well: Ostrovets District in Grodno Region, close to the Lithuanian border. I shot many films there. This is a beautiful part of Belarus and I have never liked the idea that a nuclear power station would operate here. Every Belarusian remembers the Chernobyl disaster well and it seems wise to do without any nuclear power stations. However, on studying the issue, we see that many such power stations work around the world, including those in America and France. We do need to resist our prejudices. When we came to the station, several major stages were already finished and had not been filmed at all. This is a problem of modern cinema: in Soviet times, construction sites of the kind were always recorded in a documentary. The situation is different now. TV workers come, ask a couple of questions and broadcast just 90 minutes as a result. It is not only the first Belarusian nuclear power station to be built in Ostrovets: a new era in Belarus’ nuclear energy is being created. When five thousand strong men work day and night — showing huge effort — it must be filmed. It would be great to see how everything develops in 15-20 years. Does this mean that the filming made you change your opinion on nuclear energy? I have no reason not to believe Anatoly Bondar, chief engineer at the Ostrovets nuclear power station, born in the small Polesie town of Petrikov, when he says that reactors are safe. He explains that 58 reactors operate in France and I can’t see why they should not work in Belarus. Our specialists are just as highly qualified. For example, Mr. Bondar worked at a small reactor at the Scientific-Research Institute, near Minsk. The Chernobyl disaster then occurred.

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One of the high points of the film is a story about a team of rowers from Mozyr with whom Vladimir Shantarovich, head coach of the Belarusian national canoe/kayak team, works. His team easily defeat their rivals from Germany and Hungary, where rowing is a national sport. How they manage to do this is a riddle that Galina Adamovich was trying to solve

Belarus and its people are depicted as they are

When new water-cooled power reactors were invented (three years before the Chernobyl tragedy), he moved to the Balakovo nuclear power station, on the Volga River. On receiving Russian citizenship, he began constructing nuclear power stations in Iran, India and China. As a Russian specialist, he was invited to head the Belarusian construction work.

There are still patriots What’s happening with Belarusian documentary films? We shot 13-minute long films which aren’t really long enough to develop the whole story. People are keen to trace other people’s destinies and would like to see this in the full course of time. However, we’re only offered the chance to make short films which, unfortunately, no one appreciates. Even 52 minutes are not enough for a documentary to tell a big story. One of the high points of the film is a story about a team of rowers from Mozyr

with whom Vladimir Shantarovich, head coach of the Belarusian national canoe/ kayak team, works. His team easily defeat their rivals from Germany and Hungary, where rowing is a national sport. How they manage to do this is a riddle that Galina Adamovich was trying to solve. Your film is rather patriotic. How do you view the notion of ‘patriotism’ in the documentary? It’s usual for the intelligentsia to be in opposition to the existing power. However, it’s always easier to criticize than to do something proactive isn’t it? The same refers to space. We were all laughing when the first Belarusian satellite failed… how can Belarus be a space nation! However, when I became acquainted with the academic, Sergey Zhdanok, and listened to him talk, I learnt how it was in reality and how the engineers of the Belarusian Peleng enterprise were working to create an optic-electronic telescope for our satellite, I stopped laughing. Today, when the Director of the National Academy of Sciences’ Geoinformation Systems enterprise, Sergey Zolotoy (responsible for flying the second satellite and for the launch of the third satellite) says that ‘we’ll show our true worth soon’, I have no reason not to believe him. By Nina Kataeva

PHOTO WANDERING

Sergey Plytkevich presents unexpected bird’s eye panorama of Belarus

To feel with 48

2016 беларусь.belarus

PHOTO WANDERING

Затопленая вёска ў час паводкі на Прыпяці

heart беларусь.belarus 2016

elarus is located at the geographical centre of Europe, at the terrestrial and aerial crossroads. Howe ver, unti l now, it has not been investigated fully, many of its secret places remaining hidden to the human eye. Belarus will always be mysterious, capable of surprising us, and, naturally, few have seen it from above. One such is journalist and photographer Sergey Plytkevich, who flew over, taking photos of landscapes, which he now shares with Belarus magazine. The most distinctive sites show the true originality of our country, such as the gothic style 16th century church in Synkovichi, and Lida Castle, which was home to Lithuanian dukes in the 14th century. Just imagine how many wars have taken place on our lands, yet these constructions have survived and remain a tourist attraction. Zaslavl’s ancient castle and church, dating from the 16th century, werebuilt in Renaissance style. First denoted as Protestant, the church later became Catholic, and then housed a museum in the Soviet times. Importantly, the building remains and isevidence of the centuries-old history of Belarus. Scientists say that water has a deep memory of mankind and the Earth, since it was from there that life emerged. Sometimes, of course,water takes away life. Belarusians living in Polesie are often flooded, as depicted in Sergey Plytkevich’s photo, where a whole village is cut off, catastrophically! Of course, the sight is also beautiful. As Mr. Plytkevich notes,“During major flooding, many Polesie villages can be compared to Venice. There aren’t any gondoliers but people get about using dugouts or wooden boats.” Another photo shows a village as a green oasis among ploughed fields, demonstrating how human effort can transform land, to produce harvests. Be-

PHOTO WANDERING

Eternal inhabitant of our woods: elk

Since the 15th century, Lida Castle

There are such ‘artistic’ fields in Rossonshchina

larusian diligence is famous worldwide. Naturally, elks and storks are the original ancient inhabitants of Belarusian woods and fields. In Mr. Plytkevich’s photos,they appear at an unusual angle. It seems that the elk is breathing heavily, while the stork is just on the point of raising its wings and flying away. The photographer managed to photograph them without being seen, so they appear completely relaxed, in their natural habitat. Koziany wildlife preserve’s marshes are ‘mystical’ and ‘fantastic’ notes Mr. Plytkevich, comprising many small lakes. Looking at his shots, you can’t help but think of a certain poem by Yakub Kolas:

Riftur Publishing House recently released an album of Mr. Plytkevich’s photographs, entitled Unexpected Belarus,and containing over 200 aerial shots, taken over the years, of Belarusian natural and man-made sights. He tells us that his first album, My Belarus,was published in 2001, followed by the release of his tourist directories, sets of postcards, and further albums: Belarusian Exotic, Unexpected Belarus, Wildlife at the Centre of Europe, and Planet Belarus. “With each edition, I’ve tried to convince my compatriots and foreign visitors that our country is not just unusual but exotic. I’ve had the chance to observe wildlife in a

way that most people don’t and have long dreamed of shooting our land from a bird’s eye view. Even during my carpentry studies in Polotsk, I had the desire to connect my life with the sky. I could have become an air traffic controller!” He continues, “I first released Unexpected Belarus in 2005 but this, second, edition features some new shots. I hope that readers of Belarus magazine will be intrigued and enjoy the ‘flight’ over the centre of Europe!” In fact, the book has been published not only in Belarusian but in Russian, English, and German, allowing an even wider audience to enjoy learning about our beautiful heritage. Yelena Dashkevich, the well-known designer, has helped Sergey transform the book into film format. She tells us, “I wanted to make a visual narration: a continuous streaming of shots. It took us almost a whole year to compile, starting with the image of a plane, denoting that a journey is about to take place, through the air. The name Unexpected Belarus prompts readers to anticipate the unfamiliar.” Mr. Plytkevich continues his travels and promises to share his shots, taken from unusual corners of Belarus.

Oh, native land, beautiful edge! Lovely corner of my ancestors! There is nothing lovelier in the world of God Than these light coasts, Where silver rivers are streaming, Where pine-forests drone, Where buckwheat smells of honey, Grain fields are talking; These boundless giants Your bogs, lakes, Where open spaces contemplate the noise of spring waves...

The cover of Unexpected Belarus

By Viktar Korbut. By Siarhei Plytkevich (photo)

2016 беларусь.belarus

art

The various roles of Vladimir Prokoptsov

Pau l Chu yko

Museums tend to be quiet places, since we are often struck silent in the presence of beauty or on beholding items of great age and significance. The Director of the National Art Museum of Belarus, Vladimir Prokoptsov, has some modern ideas about how to run museums and, last year, was delighted to see his staff receive the prestigious ‘For Spiritual Revival’ Award.

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The release of a whole series of books about famous artists of Belarus is a project by the National Art Museum with direct participation of its Director, Vladimir Prokoptsov

art

r. Prokoptsov has headed the National Art Museum for s e vera l years, and has a lw ay s seen large numbers of visitors through the doors (regardless of the entry fee). However, on the last Wednesday of the month, entry is without charge, and the building becomes very busy. It’s a wonderful sight to see. The National Art Museum hosts the largest collection of Belarusian and foreign art, with about 30,000 works, forming over 20 collections. In 2015, the workers of the museum received ‘For Spiritual Revival’ award for their successful realisation of major exhibition projects, aimed at strengthening our spiritual values. Vladimir Prokoptsov, Director General of the National Art Museum, tells us:

Currently on show is the ‘Goya... Picasso’ exhibition: the largest Belarusian-Spanish project in the history of modern Belarus. It features works from the Spanish Museum of Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, with exhibits on show at the National Art Museum since December. Mr. Prokoptsov gave journalists a tour, and drew attention to Vasily Pukirev’s ambiguous ‘Unequal Marriage’, created in 1875 from the 1862 original (which is stored by the State Tretyakov Gallery). The canvas is so large that figures are almost life-sized. Standing directly before the picture, you can’t help but be drawn into the scene, and feel compassion for the girl being obliged to marry an official against her will. The Director General’s favourite exhibit is the icon of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, dated to the second half of the 16th century, and unearthed at a Belarusian church in the 1960s. Examples of ancient Belarusian art are rich and diverse. Mr. Prokoptsov also re-

We are planning various new projects, including those with a spiritual element. We’re hosting exhibitions in Belarus, and sending collections abroad, aiming to encourage Christian values. We’ll be happy if some people find their way to church as a result. Culture is everywhere, in the home, at work and in our relationships. Culture is a gift from God, with meaning for each of us This award is not only an honour but bestows responsibility, obliging us to work even harder. This is the Year of Culture, so we are planning various new projects, including those with a spiritual element. We’re hosting exhibitions in Belarus, and sending collections abroad, aiming to encourage Christian values. We’ll be happy if some people find their way to church as a result. Culture is everywhere, in the home, at work and in our relationships. Culture is a gift from God, with meaning for each of us. What is currently on display in the museum of exhibitions?

veres a picture painted by Vilnius artist Johann Schröter, who was well-known between 1640 and 1680. One of the museum’s most mysterious works depicts both wives of Janusz Radziwiłł: beautiful Katarzyna and Maria (although one, wearing a crimson dress, was already dead by the time Janusz commissioned the work). Clearly, he wished to place both beloveds on a single canvas. Mr. Prokoptsov notes, “There’s a bat which lives in the museum attic, and I rather like the story that, at midnight, it turns into a girl who walks the halls. The bat

sometimes flies into the gallery, and guards have been worried that it may damage the pictures. I painted a picture showing a girl soaring through the air, alongside myself in knightly armour, and the bat, near the portrait of Katarzyna and Maria Radziwiłł. This picture from the Nesvizh collection of the Radziwiłł family is the most mystic in the museum, which is why I chose to depict it in my picture.” Vladimir Prokoptsov exhibited his picture on the Night of Museums, at 00:13, for just 13 minutes. “Nobody saw the picture for any longer than this. I painted it over in black and the canvas will have a new picture placed upon it,” he explained to us during our tour, in a fashion most intriguing. He promised to tell us later what the new picture would depict. The extension to the National Art Museum building opened in 2006, to help offer more exhibition space, but the problem remains of course, since there are over 30,000 works of art,

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Ramil Nasibulin

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Foreign guests often visit the museum

including sculptures. Only 4 percent can be exhibited at any one time, and there are visiting collections to put on show also. “About ten years ago, we decided to plan a museum quarter, which was supported by the Head of State,” notes Mr. Prokoptsov. The museum complex is growing, and has taken over a former student hostel belonging to the Belarusian State University (thanks to intervention by the Ministry of Culture). The four-storey building will allow visitors to spend all day viewing exhibits, as well as spending time in the café and shop. The underground floors are being used for storage, as well as to house a book shop and café (with Wi-Fi), a few exhibition and multipurpose conference halls, a souvenir shop, bar and coffee house. The second and third floors will display Belarusian folk art and crafts, while having an exhibition hall and workshop for interactive studies with children, as well as curator offices. The

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restoration centre will be located on the fourth floor and on the completed fifth, mansard floor. Security will encompass the highest technologies, and the entire building will offer Internet access, as well as audio-systems and disabled access via lifts and ramps. Karl Marx Street is to become a pedestrianised ‘Minsk Arbat’. Construction of the museum area should be complete by 2019-2020 (beyond the originally planned 2018). “I don’t want to be overly optimistic, rather being realistic,” Mr. Prokoptsov underlines. “By 2020, when the museum area launches fully, we’ll be able to show about 10 percent of exhibits at any one time. Of course, it’s impossible to exhibit everything simultaneously.” The museum is currently hosting a major exhibition, entitled ‘The Life and Artistry of Bakst’, devoted to the 150th anniversary of Leon Bakst: an impressionist born in Grodno. Alongside are canvases by his contemporaries: Ale xandre Benois, Mstislav Dobuzhinsky,

Boris Kustodiev, Isaak Levitan, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, Ferdynand Ruszczyc, Nikolay Roerich, Zinaida Serebryakova, Dmitry Stelletsky, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel, Konstantin Korovin, Stanislav Zhukovsky, and Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. Mr. Prokoptsov notes that most of these artists are world famous, and many are our countrymen. The exhibition introduces not simply one artist, but a whole age and movement. He feels sure that spectators will find much of interest. He adds, “Stanislav Zhukovsky is traditionally perceived as ‘a singer of noble nests’, having painted about a dozen interiors. The Bakst exhibition shows another side to Zhukovsky: his outstanding landscape painting.” It took two years to set up the exhibition, which follows on from the ‘Ten Centuries of Art of Belarus’ project, which took place in 2014, and was the second largest to be organised by the museum and Belgazprombank. The aim was educational, since few people in Belarus seemed to know much about artists of the Parisian school beyond Chagall and Soutine. A whole galaxy of creators was born across the various regions of Belarus, and became wellknown in Paris. Mr. Prokoptsov adds that, not so long ago, our fellow countrymen Byalynitsky-Birulya, Zhukovsky, and Ruszczyc were thought to be Russian artists, having received their education in Russia. He notes, “Together with Belarus publishing house, and with support from the Ministry of Information, we’ve created a series of 19 albums called ‘Famous Artists from Belarus’. The first was issued in 2010, for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Yan Khrutsky. At first, only a few volumes were planned but we decided to keep going. It’s now an unlimited project.” During his tour, Mr. Prokoptsov told us about long negotiations to organise an exhibition of Belarusian icons at the Vatican. From late March, the relics will be on show in Rome, under the title ‘Sacral Art of Belarus from the

art Mr. Prokoptsov. He’s always busy, and remains actively creative himself, finding time to paint, although he admits that he’d like more hours in the week. He explains that ‘dissatisfaction’ and ‘restlessness’ inspire him as an artist. He tells us, “I began my postgraduate studies at the Academy of Sciences, and expanded my art horizons. Science taught me how to concentrate. Now, as the director of the museum, I don’t have time to sit painting all day long. Why do I enjoy my directorial role? I’m selfsufficient and, having had an art education myself, I can speak to any artist as an equal, even with the director of the Louvre. I feel that I’m in the right place. I like working at the museum, but I also like to paint in my studio, switching from administrative work to creativity, thinking about colours, the sky, roofs, earth, apple-trees and flowers. I love the independence this gives me and feel

The topic of small homeland occupies a special place in Vladimir Prokoptsov’s creativity

comfortable in my role. I like to learn from others, to see how artists work and to learn how to light works most effectively. It’s important even to know how walls should be painted.” It’s clear that you didn’t dream about becoming a museum director. Since time is limited, has painting become more of a hobby for you now? It’s serious work. I understand my full responsibilities. If you view yourself as an artist, you should play by the rules. If it was only my hobby, I’d paint for pleasure. But, this isn’t the case. It’s true that I don’t have time to paint all day long, having only the evenings. I work at weekends and holidays. It’s not easy to enter history as a talented artist. You need to be prolific, and not all of your works will hit the mark. As long as you create one remarkable painting annually, that can touch the soul, this is enough. You need for other ar t-

Alexander Stadub

17th-20th Century’. Catalogues and albums have been prepared in several languages to accompany the event. “In this Year of Culture, with the help of the Art Museum, we plan to open many new pages of history for national art. The exhibition organised at the Vatican will be replenished this autumn, going on show in Minsk. Autumn 2017 will see another major exhibition of restored sacral art items,” Vladimir explains. He underlines, “Some icons, and arts and craft items will be left only half-restored, so that people can see the ‘before and after’ condition and gain some appreciation of the work involved in restoring masterpieces. Restorers will receive workshops within the new National Art Museum buildings, thanks to the persistence of

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ists to recognise that you have achieved professionalism. Ordinary audiences tend to be less critical. I try always to improve. I do have to wear various hats and I am in competition with colleagues. I do take time out to paint, and my works are exhibited at the Gallery of the Union of Artist, with one or two used in themed exhibitions. Why does the style of your pictures vary? It depends on my mood and my desire to experiment. I used to combine realism with impressionism but my recent pictures are more decorative. It probably comes with age and experience. I have a different mental outlook and ‘rhythm’ today; it’s as if I’m in a chariot and cannot stop. I give my feelings away on the canvas. Is each work individual or do you have an enduring motif? Of course, each picture is individual. When I paint something, I immediately come up with a name. Let’s say I intend to paint a lily, night or the dawn; first of all, I think about the philosophy of the name. To evoke mystery, you should use understatement and paint things in a manner other than realistic: clouds should be green or not at all. I steer clear of the obvious unless I’m painting a straightforward still life work. Even then, you can take various approaches, deciding whether to give your table legs and what colour to paint your apples. You can make them more red than any apple would normally be. Every artist has their own philosophy and style. Do you court public recognition? Of course; all artists, actors, poets and writers want to be recognised for their talent. It’s been so since man first picked up a piece of coal and began to paint on a rock, seeking admiration from his compatriots. I don’t believe artists who say they don’t desire glory; I think we’re all ambitious. Of course, by nature, artists are individualists. Although poets and artists work alone, they dream of recognition. As a museum director, I want the museum to be the best in Belarus. This is natural; were

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Vitaliy Gil

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it not so, how would we ever progress? Of course, there are various types of ‘glory’; one is achieved through labour while the other is cheap. Time is a great judge. Are works by Belarusian artists interesting to foreign audiences? Yes; of course. In fact, the Belarusian school, especially the realist school of our older generation, is rated highly. Europe lacks such a level today. Sadly, we lack an art market to support auctions. I’d like to see something in Vitebsk, since it’s been permeated by the smell of paint since the times of Chagall and Malevich. Why do we have so many casinos and so few art galleries? We want to be a European capital and we certainly have the perfect geographical position. Our cities are well-groomed. We lack a Pavarotti but we have gorgeous artworks, so why shouldn’t we take a leading role in the art market; especially when we have such traditions? Should a museum try to guide visitors’ taste? It’s essential. A museum should not operate without an aim: its mission is education and teaching. It’s an educational centre. Our museum is becoming more active, branching out. An exhibition does not need to be limited to art works; it can continue its theme along various avenues, for the pleasure of

children and adults. Our museum has received much funding to modernise its halls and to raise salaries, with the aim of guiding public taste. A museum must act ‘aggressively’, in the best sense, being three steps ahead — especially in our modern time of globalisation. Visitors should be enticed, through lectures and excursions. I’m convinced that museums are educational; no other purpose is needed. In your years of directorship, have you seen modern visitors become more demanding and knowledgeable? Of course. We have the Internet now, so people can take a virtual tour of the Tretyakov Gallery or some other museum. Modern art lovers can take a two-hour trip on a Belavia plane to Paris, to see the Mona Lisa. Nothing can surprise us now. Audiences are true gourmands of art: demanding and sophisticated. We need to be ready for this, keeping up with today’s technologies, exhibition styles, methods and staff training. It’s a global issue so I, as museum director, cannot remain idle. I keep my staff on tenterhooks — although some may dislike this. In the 1960s and 1970s, the museum was a safe harbour; now, it must earn money, as well as promoting the country’s image and organising international projects. Our visitors wish to

Belta

art

Aura of art is an unmatched phenomenon

see a Marc Chagall show or a Tretyakov Gallery exhibition. Moreover, museum staff should know foreign languages. In a word, the museum format needs expansion. Are you ‘fighting’ for visitors? We fight for every visitor. Only interesting exhibitions and programmes attract visitors so an ideal modern museum is a large cultural industry. It must be difficult to manage such a ‘mechanism’? It’s not simple; it’s a huge responsibility. The museum is our country’s ‘calling card’. I’m always telling my staff that — sooner or later — new people will replace us. The museum should not remain idle; it must work and, accordingly, I bear huge responsibility, as its head. I feel and understand all this; unsurprisingly, I’ve gone grey early! Is a museum director a manager or an academic? Everything together. I can hardly imagine a manager — rather than a painter or art critic — as a National Art Museum director. Can you imagine an economist heading the Hermitage or the Tretyakov Gallery? I personally cannot. Of course, these museums have

No life is possible without art. Fine arts make people spiritually wealthier, kinder and more harmonious. Some cultural values resemble behavioural norms (like letting the elderly go through a doorway first and respecting women). On the whole art is life

their own managers but must be headed by a specialist. A museum director is a universal figure: they should be a manager, an economist and an art critic. This is why I have no shame in continuing to learn something new. Do you suffer from a split personality: director Prokoptsov and artist Prokoptsov? I enjoy complete harmony, as the former supplements the latter. I did experience a split personality when working for the Council of Ministers, as I seldom took part in exhibitions. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, state officials were not encouraged to display their works alongside those of artists. I feel very comfortable now. In heading the museum, you’ve arranged many foreign shows. Do you plan to exhibit the National Art Museum’s rich collections abroad? We have such plans and have already exhibited Khrutsky’s pictures in Vilnius — as part of celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the artist’s birth. At present, we’re working on a joint project with the Vatican, taking our Belarusian Orthodox and Catholic icons there. Of course, such events need insurance: the larger an exhibition, the more money is needed. What is ‘true art’ for you? It’s life. No life is possible without art. Fine arts make people spiritually wealthier, kinder and more harmonious. Some cultural values resemble behavioural norms (like letting the elderly go through a doorway first and respecting women). Why did ancient people draw on walls? Even then, they were observing the stars in the sky and were eager to reproduce them. In the morning, the stars disappeared but a handsome hunter or a scene from primeval life was painted on a wall. All these drawings are worthy of admiration. They are our heritage, with museum value. These are Vladimir Prokoptsov’s themes and thoughts: real, imagined and tangible. No personal development is possible without them. By Viktor Mikhailov

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â€œBeginningsâ€?. Vladimir Prokoptsov. Canvas, oil. 2005 (form the collection of the National Art Museum)