Belarus (magazine #5 2015) by BELARUS Magazine

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Soyuz

Belarus — Russia

pp. 35—42

BELARUS No.5 (980), 2015 Беларусь. Belarus

Politics, Economy, Culture www.belarus-magazine.by

Holiday in beams of Glory

Events in Belarus and abroad

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Беларусь.Belarus Monthly magazine No. 5 (980), 2015 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

Historical visit against contemporary background

Editor: Viktor Kharkov Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich

Design and Layout by

Live in peace and quiet On the eve of

the First of May President of Belarus Ale xander Lukashenko addressed Belarusian people and the National Assembly with the annual Message

Father’s war Reflections on the guards

Eloquence of straightforward words

Magic from box Labyrinth-2 artistic ex-

hibition opens at Republican exhibition gallery, inside the Palace of Arts

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

At the creative swing Honoured Artist

Publisher: “SB” editorial office

Friendly impulses from centre of Europe

26 Forever in memory

Desired day How they celebrated the

Guns focus on the west

Soldier and peacemaker Marat Yegorov Having been a radio operator-scout

end of the Great Patriotic War, in 1945

of soldier Mikhail Cherkashin

Minsk hosts the 19th International Mass Media in Belarus Specialised Exhibition, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Victory

of Belarus Oksana Lesnaya, an actress at the Maxim Gorky National Academic Drama Theatre, celebrates her birthday by speculating on the importance of true acting partners in film-making and theatre staging

беларусь.belarus 2015

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. 1246 Total circulation — 1884 copies (including 724 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.

Subscription index in Belpochta catalogue — 74977 For future foreign subscribers for ‘Belarus’ magazine, apply to ‘MK-Periodica’ agency.

Front beyond the front line Over 6,000

partisan units and underground groups operated during the Great Patriotic War, in enemy-occupied territories. More than a million such ‘volunteer avengers’ took part in hundreds of exploits, blowing up bridges and derailing trains

Беларусь.Belarus is published in Belarusian, English, Spanish and Polish.

www.belarus-magazine.by E-mail: mail@belarus-magazine.by

during the Great Patriotic War, the Sevastopol native acquired his ‘home’ in Belarus

Vadim Kondrashov Nadezhda Ponkratova

Emotional look at war and Victory!

E-mail: info@periodicals.ru Telephone in Minsk: +375 (17) 227-09-10.

editor's note

Victory arrives in May

By Victor Kharkov

Vladimir Shlapak

eventy years is both a ‘lifetime’ and a blink of an eye in the span of history. Thanks be to God, those currently in their 70th year on the Earth avoided the horrors of the bloodiest war recorded, due to the Great Victory. Some events remain as vivid as they were upon the day they occurred: Victory Day, on May 9th, is among them. Whatever happens in our contemporary world, the importance of this date never fades, and nor do our memories of the unprecedented heroic deeds of Soviet soldiers. The Great Patriotic War steamed through Belarusian lands, taking with it the lives of around 3 million people; dozens of cities, towns and district centres were destroyed, alongside thousands of villages. Almost half a million Belarusians were sent to labour camps in Germany and, in their years of occupation, the Nazis established dozens of death camps within Belarus, alongside hundreds of prisons and ghettos. Several hundred thousand old people, women and children were killed. This cannot be forgotten. A resistance movement unrivalled in the world history was deployed within Belarusian territory. The ‘People’s Avengers’ kept the enemy on alert day and night. Over 1.5 million Belarus-born people fought on the fronts of the great Patriotic War, to the bitter end, in battles near Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad and Kiev. They took part in the liberation of villages

and cities across their Homeland, as well as within Eastern and Central European states. Around 400 Belarus-born people became generals and admirals and commanded armies and fleets during the military years, while 448 were awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title for their heroism in protecting their Fatherland during those war years (four were awarded twice). The price of freedom was the life of every third resident of Belarus, as we continue to commemorate and promote wider global understanding. After the Second World War, Belarus became a founding member of the United Nations Organisation: an honour indeed. Belarus was, at the time, a Republic of the Soviet Union and was recognised for its huge contribution to the destruction of Fascism. May is a special month, being when Victory was declared over Nazism in the Second World War. Belarus continues to honour the heroic deeds of its soldiers. Around 20,000 former frontline men and Great Patriotic War partisans live still in our country. Their number falls each year, but they are surrounded by the state’s attention. Other states may set aside their victorious symbols but, for us, the Victory is a sacred holiday. The Great Patriotic War left its mark on almost every family… Today’s young people are aware of the sacrifices made by those who fought for them and are often involved in seeking out information on those who died in the war, restoring the names of ‘unknown soldiers’. Moreover, they take veterans under their patronage, remembering the war and honouring its victors. Time passes and, as politicians say, the world is changing. However, certain values cannot be revised. Belarus is building relations with other countries on principles of good neighbourliness: its contemporary political credo. For those seeking to exercise their ‘muscle’, sporting contests offer the best (and the most peaceful) solution! Partnerships between people and between countries remain essential, being the strategic essence of international collaboration. Belarus orients towards this path in its foreign policy, taking the format of partnership as the basis for its mutual relations with other countries.

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Alexander Ruzhechka

HOLIDAY

Holiday in beams of Glory

Belarus celebrates the 70th anniversary of Great Victory

e ve nt y ye ars ago, on May 9th, 1945, t he S oviet p eople claimed victory in the Great Patriotic Wa r, w h i c h l a s t ed 1,418 days and nights and during which the fate of the USSR, and the future of the world, was decided. Belarus was one of the first USSR Republics to face massive attack from the Fascist invaders. It lost over half of its national treasure during those military years. In the first days of war, Brest Fortress fought to the bitter end, trying to hold back the invading army.

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Steadfast Mogilev withstood siege for a whole month. Over time, the enemy destroyed 209 cities and towns, as well as 9,200 villages, and over 100,000 enterprises. They crushed thousands of scientific and medical institutions, as well as schools. By the time we had claimed Victory, the Republic had lost almost a third of its population. The President of Belarus notes that, every year, on the anniversary of Victory Day, in May, we make proclamations of hoping never again to see war brought to our lands. However, this year, he is sad to point out that we are yet to be ‘delivered from war’. “The tragic lessons of war have been forgotten. We don’t see the

force of law; we see that force is the law. Once again, shells are exploding, fires blaze and people die. The world and Europe are approaching a dangerous line,” stressed Mr. Lukashenko, speaking at the army parade in Minsk honouring the 70th anniversary of the Soviet people’s Great Patriotic War Victory. “It has never been more important to remember the lessons of the Great Patriotic War. Politicians, leaders and nations must remember these lessons. There is nothing more precious than peace: it’s the most important lesson. No ambitions, no calculations and no interests are worth the sacrifice of human lives,” believes the Head of State.

Vitaliy Gil

Alexander Ruzhechka

HOLIDAY

The taking part in the army parade in Minsk of representatives of the Armed Forces of Russia and the USA, alongside Belarusian military, he sees as deeply symbolic. Belarusian military personnel also marched in the parade in Moscow and military hardware created with the assistance of Belarusian defence industries was demonstrated. In his speech the President of Belarus stressed that the Great Victory of 1945 saved the Motherland from enslavement, freed Europe, and gave life and freedom to the entire world. “We secured victory after four years of fierce fighting, blood and victims. The way from Brest Fortress to Berlin was inhumanely difficult,” he admitted, adding that Belarusian lands faced the main assault of the Nazi forces.

At no point in our history has there been a greater event than our Victory over Fascism. We must remember this and remain proud of the heroic deeds of the generation who fought for independence of our Homeland and saved the world from Fascism, ensuring our safety... The fiercest battles and the most tragic events took place in Belarus at the beginning of the war. “It was in Belarusian lands that Hitler’s blitzkrieg war plans were buried and the foundation of the future Great Victory was laid,” said the President. “The enemy sent hundreds of thousands of punishment troops against us; they acted with barbaric ferocity, razing our towns and villages, and hanging, shooting and burning alive our women,

children and old people. We faced total annihilation.” “Yet, we were not broken! We endured and prevailed! In this battle, Belarus lost much and no amount of time can make this terrible pain go away,” said the Head of State. Over 5,000 military personnel and about 250 army vehicles took part in the parade in Minsk marking the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. The pa-

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rade also involved cadets of the Military Academy of Belarus, soldiers and a combined orchestra. Apart from the army, the parade featured detachments of the State Border Committee, and troops of the Belarusian Interior Ministry and the Emergency Ministry, alongside military personnel of the Russian army. During the parade, spectators were able to see army hardware dating back to the Great Patriotic War, as well as weapons and vehicles used by the Armed Forces of Belarus today. The parade began with vehicles dating back to the Great Patriotic War, followed by armoured vehicles, air defence missile systems, artillery units and multiple-launch rocket systems. These included T-72B tanks, BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, BTR-80 armoured fighting vehi-

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Alexander Ruzhechka

HOLIDAY

In reflecting upon the past, we can assess the present. Victory requires unity and solidarity from the successors of the Soviet nation... From the speech of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the solemn meeting honouring the 70th anniversary of the Soviet people’s Great Patriotic War Victory

cles, BelGrad and Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems, and S-300PS, S-300B and Tor-M2 air defence missile systems. For the first time, the parade featured a large amount of army hardware from Russia, from the regional military force. After ground units had passed, aircraft used by the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence units made a fly-past: Mi-8 and Mi-24 combat helicopters, MiG-29 fighter jets, Su-25 assault air-

craft, IL-76 military transport aircraft, and the Belaya Rus aerobatics team in a L-39. Four Russian Yak-130 and Su-34 bombers also joined the air show. The parade ended with a marching drill by the guard of honour, involving over 100 people, and a performance by the combined orchestra of the Armed Forces of Belarus. The army parade was followed by a festive demonstration. By Uladzimir Samoylov

COOPERATION

Historical visit against contemporary background President of People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping paid state visit to Minsk

lose and fruitful Belarusian-Chines e interac t ion has achieved even a more advanced level, and each meeting between the heads of our states becomes

state visit by the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, to Belarus. It legally fixes the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the countries while one of the key business results is that our country is becoming an important player in the implementation of the Chinese concepts:

China has been and remains a good, close and reliable friend and a promising partner. The development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Republic of China is based on the principles of mutual respect, support and multi-faceted collaboration. High-level contacts and sincerity of intentions shape the long-term policy of the joint development of the two countries. We have only one goal which is to improve the well-being of our people

Alexander Lukashenko

some critical line after which collaboration is gaining greater dynamics. During the last visit of the President of Belarus to the People’s Republic of China, Minsk and Beijing have agreed to develop comprehensive strategic partnership, which is now filled with a wide range of joint projects in various spheres. The treaty on friendship and co-operation (a truly historical inter-state document) has become the major document of the current

Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The sequence of Mr. Jinping’s three visits forms clear logic. On May 7th, he visited Kazakhstan, then paid an official visit to Russia where he took part in the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Victory in Moscow, and has finally arrived in Belarus on a state visit. According to the diplomatic protocol, this is the highest status of a visit to a friendly country by the

head of the state — a very important sign. The People’s Republic of China is building a wide belt of good neighbourliness and mutually beneficial partnership, so it’s a true reason for pride that our country is in the orbit of China’s global interests. This absolutely coincides with Minsk’s views of its role as a reliable connecting link between Europe and Asia. This is beneficial for the country’ image and facilitates the strengthening of sovereignty also bringing tangible economic benefits. Moreover, it ideally fits the ‘idea of integration of integrations’, proposed by Minsk, with the creation of the single trade-economic space from Vladivostok to Lisbon. In this case Belarus finds itself at a very busy and reliable intersection through which people and goods move, making it very important for investments. Meanwhile, the military topic added special warmth into the atmosphere of negotiations. Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the end of the Second World War are uniting factors. Our countries equally view the truth of those times, believing that falsification of history and glorification of criminals is unacceptable, as was openly and sincerely noted by the heads of state. Over twenty various joint documents were signed during Mr. Jinping’s visit. Speaking to journalists about the results of the work, Mr. Lukashenko paid attention that Minsk and Beijing had agreed to continue close co-operation on international arena and to actively support each

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COOPERATION

other in the issues, dealing with national interests, national security and sovereignty. In the sphere of business the two sides show readiness to shift accents from pure trade to the expansion of mutual direct investments and implementation of production projects, primarily, in the high-tech and innovative spheres which form the economy of the future of the two states. The Great Stone Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park is already under construction in Minsk, which harmoniously fits the Silk Road concept while becoming one of its key elements.

During the negotiations between the heads of state agreements have been reached regarding joint work on construction and modernisation of Belarus’ infrastructure, new schemes and mechanisms of inter-bank collaboration, opening of new credit lines, and the creation of modern manufactures in Belarus, involving large Chinese companies. There’re also plans in the sphere of military-technical co-operation. Moreover, expansion of tourist, educational and cultural exchanges was also high on the agenda. In total, there are almost no ar-

At present, Belarusian-Chinese relations are at an important stage of their development. I hope that my current visit will give a new impetus to further development of the bilateral relations at even higher level. Judging by the results of our fruitful negotiations, I can make the conclusion that the expected results have been completely reached… Our countries will co-operate and support each other in the issues which are of key importance for the two states on the basis of mutual respect and equality

Xi Jinping

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eas where Minsk and Beijing don’t have points of interests’ coincidence. Obviously, inter-state interaction is based not only on economic motifs; they are rather the result of high political and human mutual understanding. Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Jinping didn’t hide that they have been long connected by sincere personal friendship which is already a solid foundation for the substantial dialogue on any topic. Belarusian-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership continues, as is seen from the signed treaty on friendship and co-operation and from the joint declaration, signed by the heads of the two states. Mr. Lukashenko paid attention that the real opportunity for at least double increase of the bilateral trade turnover is already seen nowadays due to the reached agreements. Moreover, Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Jinping took part in the Belarusian-Chinese interregional business forum and attended the construction site of the Great Stone Industrial Park. Partnership continues while also being filled with more serious and precious content. By Vasily Kharitonov

TOPICAL

On the eve of the First of May President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko addressed Belarusian people and the National Assembly with the annual Message. The topical problems, that the country is to solve this year, are specified in it. Here, we quote the part of the President’s speech, in which he talks about the multi-vector foreign policy of Belarus.

ur country occupies a peaceful position, making it the most appropriate venue for recent negotiations. Our activity in the peaceful regulation of events in Ukraine is helping strengthen Belarus’ international status. Most importantly, Americans, Europeans and those in the EU are admitting that Belarus now has one of the most important functions in the region regarding security provision (I’ve met them many times, as has our Foreign Minister). This is the truth and this is fair. It is of principal importance that we strengthen our partners’ perception of Belarus as reliable and stable: of value to the whole world. We are in favour of the abolition of sanctions and restrictions on international co-operation. Meanwhile, we’re

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Live in peace and quiet

ready to give our shoulder to our neighbour in difficult moments, so we expect a returning respectful attitude from our partners — free from legal nihilism and the pressure of sanctions. Belarus is a reliable link connecting East and West, as is proven by the multi-vector nature of Belarus’ foreign political course, aimed at developing mutually beneficial relations with various countries worldwide. The strategic goal of Belarusian foreign policy is clear: the creation of an optimal balance of interests between various centres of power and equal interaction with all leading players within the international arena. It’s especially vital that each vector of our foreign policy supplements our partner relations rather than damaging them. Regional economic integration is a key factor in enhancing sustainability for the national economy under unstable global conditions. In this

way, we’re building upon our activity within the Eurasian Economic Union. Our opponents speculate that Belarus will lose its independence through joining this integration structure but such assertions are completely groundless, as is evident. We can’t forget that Belarus’ participation in Eurasian integration processes, as a constituent country, gives us great advantages. We’ve received many economic benefits, although I won’t enumerate them. Of course, our EurAsEC advantages rely upon the strengthening of our enterprises’ competitiveness and their adjustment towards a more open economic market. When the Treaty was signed, we noted that Belarus would be attentively monitoring the implementation of agreements and the dynamics of change during the transition period. Time has shown the wisdom of our approach. Of course, the removal of barriers to mutual

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TOPICAL trade and the setting aside of restrictions to the movement of goods and services would be ‘painful’ for any state. Of particular complexity are issues relating to energy resources, transport and financial services (among others). This is true of all existing integration associations, including the European Union. However, our ‘zero-option’ for integration development requires that all changes should be equally applied. The establishment of a fully-fledged organisation of regional economic integration, boasting international legality, opens up prospects for a new level of interaction with world economic

worthily compete with third countries. Russia is ready for this. Further expansion of interaction with Russian regions is an indispensable part of this strategy, as we’ve seen recently through the strengthening of established ties. We can make this collaboration even more successful by implementing joint projects, aiming to set up high-tech production, and by expanding our co-operation in the spheres of industry, transport, construction and agriculture. I must underline that Belarus and Russia are no strangers, being connected by many centuries of history, as well as by common spiritual values and outlook.

Each vector of our foreign policy supplements our partner relations rather than damaging them associations. Our common task is to avoid drawing new divisional lines in Europe, rather using our potential for constructive co-operation, for the benefit of our nations. I believe that, despite the acute geopolitical situation of today, our ‘integration of integrations’ remains relevant and promising. We’ll eventually see real rapprochement between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union, and the forming of ‘Big Europe’, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Belarus’ chairing of the Eurasian Economic Union will facilitate the embodiment of this idea. Russia has been and continues to be our major strategic partner. Our co-operation is developing progressively and dynamically. Belarusian-Russian relations within the Union State are at a high level, such as has never been enjoyed previously by Belarus within another integration association. Our joint production of competitive goods, through the unification of industrial, financial and marketing potential, will strengthen our position on international markets and enable us to

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Together, we protected our native land from Fascist enslavement; together, we claimed the Great Victory. We’re building our future through joint efforts, while liaising and strengthening our sovereign states. Much has been spoken of late regarding the ‘Russian world’. As far as I understand, this doesn’t refer to us. We (myself and others) often identify ourselves as ‘Russian people’: we, Russians and Belarusians, are Russian people, as our daily life dictates. I’ve mentioned this to the Russian Ambassador, Alexander Surikov, but he sometimes shrugs his shoulders and doesn’t know what to answer. However, taking into account our good relations, he tolerates my remarks. I’m sure that around 60 percent of parliamentarians present in this hall have Russian blood, mixed with Belarusian, Polish, Jewish and so on. We’ve never focused on this and have no intention of doing so in future! We need more people in the country [applause]; our major goal is to raise the population, as we need at least 20 million

residents. What benefit would it bring to pursue a strict nationalistic policy, driving out those who were born here or whose parents were born here in Belarus? It would be foolish! I say this in order to come closer to the major issue, which is being speculated upon not only by liberals in Russia but by some people in the Russian government; they say that Belarus is tilting towards the West. Maybe, someone has gone mad and has tilted somewhere but, while I’m President, I won’t tilt anywhere. I’m not allowed to enter the West. Where should I tilt, having spent more than 20 years as president of this country? It’s nonsense. Throw this idea out of your head, dear Russians and Russian leadership. We are your brothers; we have always been together. However, let us have our own views and impressions of the world. We don’t always publicly express them (in fact, we rarely do). We’ve agreed with the President of Russia on non-publicity of our relations and we are strictly adhering to this principle. If Mr. Putin has a point or remark, he conveys it to me. We discuss problems in a friendly manner. Belarus can have its own attitude and its own point of view. What role can we play in the Ukrainian war? Is our role or position bad? If I’d acted in the manner recommended to me after Crimea’s joining Russia, would Minsk have become the venue for talks? Never! The European Union and the USA understand me when I sincerely tell them that, if anything happens, Belarus will stand shoulder to shoulder with Russia: our ally. Let me quote you an example: do you remember the bombing in Iraq? Do you remember how Iraq was bombed and it was claimed that nuclear weapons had been found and Saddam Hussein had been hanged? The entire world knew it was unjust: that the United States of America did the wrong thing. Yet, all Europe and NATO countries backed America because they were allies. Everyone must be told that we have stood with Russia in the past and will always do so.

TOPICAL Belarusians should refrain from idle speculations about some ‘tilt’ or shift in loyalty. We shouldn’t talk in this way. Understand one thing: there are forces in Russia (not only in the liberal opposition) that would very much like to limit the influence of the Belarusian development model and the influence of Alexander Lukashenko on processes within the Russian Federation. There are a lot of such people and they are starting to put pressure on us. Don’t pay attention to them; it will pass. Some are unhappy that I won’t be present during the parade in Moscow on May 9th, claiming that the decision is prompted by considerations concerning the Presidential elections. What nonsense! I’ve agreed with the Russian leadership that there are only two countries in the world that hold sacred the Great Victory. You may remember that, in the 1990s, Russia was hesitating and refrained from organising parades. Meanwhile, we’ve always had a parade. This is the Great Victory, which we won. We’ve always protected its memory, having lost many people. We’ve agreed that Belarus is going to arrange its own parade and festivities, as in Moscow, in the Russian Federation. It isn’t ‘showing off ’ for the President to remain in his country, with his nation, on May 9th: the President should be here. There is no other president and no one can replace him. We have and will continue to have our own positions and points of view. It’s necessary to understand that we’re a sovereign and independent state. We’re closely connected with Russia and with the Russian people. This is our nation and we are theirs; we are brothers. However, we’d like to live in our own ‘flat’ in this ‘many-storeyed house’. Your ‘flat’ is larger than ours of course. Even the closest friends, brothers and sisters have no desire to live with each other or their parents-in law. They want to have their own corner. If anyone believes, not only in Russia but elsewhere, that they can deprive us of this, they are in error. It will never occur! Never! We are a sovereign and independent state, not creating problems for anyone.

We won’t create these, whoever is president, as it’s more trouble than it’s worth to do so. Excuse for saying this today and responding to this. Some people reproach us for placing road signs in Belarusian language, although this has been the case since Soviet times, being written in Russian and in Belarusian. However, we are now receiving reproaches. We have our native Belarusian language; we see no problem in our two native languages — Russian and Belarusian — standing together. We can write in either. Some also accuse us, falsely, of banning St. George ribbons. Our young people have suggested a very interesting variant, without insisting that it should be

Not we. From where did the initiative come? The answer is evident. We know who took the first step. Unfortunately, this has all ended on our land. None present, including me, are guilty. I will pleasingly note that our country has reached the level of comprehensive strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China. We’re connected by many years of trustworthy relations and we have moved from trade to the implementation of large investment projects in the bilateral co-operation. The Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park will become a platform for high-tech productions, and direct air flight will be launched between our countries this May.

Belarus is a reliable link connecting East and West, as is proven by the multi-vector nature of Belarus’ foreign political course, aimed at developing mutually beneficial relations with various countries worldwide exclusive, which I like very much. It has the colours of our symbols and an apple blossom, symbolising youth and peace. The St. George ribbon still exists, being part of our traditions and our common battle community. We haven’t banned it; we’ve simply invented something new. There is nothing for which to reproach us, as if we were enemies. I always prefer honesty and sincerity in our sovereign and independent state. Belarus has been closely co-ordinating its foreign policy with Russia, adopting joint plans. These are approved at the highest level, by our Supreme State Council of the Union State, where our two presidents sit beside each other, as do the heads of our two countries. It is a sacred approach we adhere to. However, it’s necessary to understand that Belarus didn’t exist ‘yesterday’. Let’s be honest. Did we want this? Did we break the great country which won that terrible war?

I’m convinced that the visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, to Belarus will give a new impetus to our comprehensive interaction. Moreover, I repeat again that we’re proud of having such wonderful relations with such giants as Russia, China, and India. The relations with the EU are also improving. We’re keen to activate and bring our collaboration with the EU to a qualitatively new level. Even against the background of difficult political relations, the EU remains one of major trade-economic partners for Belarus and a source of credit resources and investments. We’re some kind of gates on the way to huge and promising market of the Eurasian Economic Union. Despite the existing disagreements, we haven’t ever put obstacles to the European business. Moreover, everything that is happening now in the south of Ukraine makes

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TOPICAL find additional bearing points, enhancing sustainability of our foreign political and foreign economic positions. The regions of South, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia also present special importance for Belarus, primarily as capacious and rapidly expanding markets for domestic goods and services and as promising investors into our economy. In this respect, key Belarusian enterprises need a clear strategy of gaining a foothold on the Asian market, envisaging the establishment of joint manufactures in such countries of the region as Vietnam, Indonesia and India.

projects and it’s already yielding first tangible results. We’ve outlined further concrete steps aiming to enhance the level of trust in the bilateral relations. The road towards normalisation of relations with the United States of America lies through equal and constructive collaboration, and I’m pleased that America has finally understood this. We hope that the American side also proceeds from this and will display greater determination and political will in order to remove the existing problems. The development of mutually beneficial co-operation with the states of Asia, Latin America and Africa and the forming of the ‘far arc’ of the Belarusian foreign policy are principally important directions for us. Co-operation with the countries of these regions will enable us to

We continue our collaboration with Venezuela and Cuba while seeing good potential for the development of relations with Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, where Belarusian goods are popular and enjoy stable demand. Despite difficulties in establishing co-operation ties with the Latin American region, the promotion of Belarusian interests in the Western Hemisphere is of great importance for our country. It’s high time to implement large investment projects with the states of the Arabian Peninsula. Maximum favourable atmosphere has been created for this, with corresponding agreements reached with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, Qatar also invests into Belarus and is ready to activate investment interaction.

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our territory even more important and more precious for Russia, the EU and China in the East, because it remains a calm region (around a 1,000km corridor from the south to the east, from the east to the west and from the south to the north) where people can move by any transport. What else is needed? It’s necessary that peace and quiet reign in Belarus, so we’re conducting an intensive dialogue with the European Union in this respect. Purposeful work has already started aiming to search for points of coincidence with the United States of America through the implementation of economic

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Oman and Saudi Arabia, with which we have recently established contacts, are also promising partners. Meanwhile, strengthening of ties and equal collaboration with international organisations, regional associations, unions and separate states is also very vital. The accent here should be made on the attraction of credits and loans, as well as technical and other types of assistance aiming to solve acute problems of economic development. In the end I’d like to especially underline that alongside our open, multivector and peaceful policy we don’t forget about our security. We always need to be watchful. Under current conditions the responsibility of powerwielding agencies and law enforcement structures increases many-fold in ensuring stability and public order in society. International situation requires us to reinforce Belarus’ defence capacity. You should be calm. Today we have plans in case of escalation of the situation to raise and arm 500,000 Belarusians — enough to resist any plans (even not the attempts!) of aggression against Belarus. Dear compatriots, dear friends! The 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, our common Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, is the most important event this year. Its fateful significance for the Belarusian nation is undeniable. At that time, peace and independence were won and the foundations laid for the development of our state. The unshakeable pillars of our national self-consciousness are the never-fading glory of our hero-victors and our pride in them. Our commemoration of Victory is our spiritual power, uniting us in our faithful love for our Homeland. Let’s care for it together, passing a peaceful, free and flourishing country to our children and grandchildren. Let’s preserve unity, quiet and concord in our common home. There can be no other home for us. I’m convinced that we’ll do all we can to ensure peace, independence and dynamic development for Belarus!

The President’s official visit to Georgia began with a significant and symbolic event: the laying of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Tbilisi’s Vake Park

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Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Giorgi Margvelashvili during the meeting in Tbilisi

Friendly impulses from centre of Europe

he memorial is dedicated to the memory of all those soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. Our two countries are united by their history but, in our modern times, are discovering each other anew — as evinced by the agenda of the Belarusian-Georgian business forum hosted by Tbilisi on the eve of the President’s visit. The forum brought about the conclusion of $4m in contracts — signed by Minsk Automobile Works and Minsk Tractor Works (in addition to direct agreements signed by some other enterprises). Importantly, the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised for 42 Belarusian companies to attend the Georgia event, helping arrange meetings with over 200 local businessmen. Although no firm details are available, due to commercial discretion, it appears that turnover between our countries may double or triple, notes Belarus’

Deputy Prime Minister, Mikhail Rusy. He attended the forum, meeting with the heads of the Georgian and Belarusian chambers of commerce and industry: Kakha Baindurashvili and Mikhail Myatlikov. Clearly, our two states enjoy significant potential and the possibilities of the Eurasian and European economic

Union and the EU. Belarus and Georgia can take advantage of these unions in bilateral terms.” Of course, economic and business co-operation are supported by top-level political dialogue, resulting in Mr. Lukashenko making time for talks with his Georgian colleague, Giorgi Margvelashvili, and with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

We need to quickly reach a certain stage in our relations, to catch up for lost time: primarily, in the trade-economic sphere

Alexander Lukashenko

unions found much discussion at the forum. Being an associated EU member, Georgia enjoys its own advantages in this respect and Belarus has its own, as a central partner within the Eurasian Economic Union. Mr. Myatlikov shared his thoughts, saying, “Our two states’ businesses are interested in the possibilities offered by the Eurasian Economic

The Belarusian President also met the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and Tbilisi, the Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan Bishop of Abkhazia and Bichvinta, Ilia II. Several major documents were signed, to develop co-operation across such spheres as tourism, health protection, education, science and engineering. Our two states

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VISIT have opened a new page in substantial political dialogue and mutually beneficial economic interaction. From the very first minutes of the meeting between the heads of state, it was clear that Tbilisi (translated as ‘warm place’) lived up to its name. Despite the drizzle, the atmosphere of talks was definitely sunny. Our states have enjoyed diplomatic relations for over two decades but, until recently, no top-level contacts existed. However, this does not mean that inter-state dialogue has been lacking. Mr. Lukashenko thanked the Georgian President for his support within the international arena, which Tbilisi always renders to Minsk. Mutual understanding in the political sphere opens the way for de-

vast markets of the European and Eurasian economic unions. The presidents paid special attention to their integration vectors: Georgia within the EU, and Belarus within the Eurasian Economic Union. Without doubt, inter-state interaction is not only possible between our two nations but is highly desirable, opening the door to each other’s markets. In this respect, the essence of Minsk’s initiative ‘integration of integrations’ is clear and Mr. Lukashenko is convinced that, in due time, we’ll enjoy serious interaction with the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union alike. Meanwhile, there is much to be done to bring our major associations into rapprochement and work is likely to take some time. Investment in bilateral in-

This is the first official visit by the head of a certain friendly country which has always paid much attention to Georgia’s problems and which has provided support in the most difficult times. I’m convinced that such a representative visit — including members of business circles and the Government — will inspire the development of significant bilateral relations

Giorgi Margvelashvili

velopment of strong trade-economic collaboration. Our states are both keen to develop such work, as the presidents assured one another. Talks tackled a wide range of topics and, speaking to journalists afterwards, Mr. Lukashenko noted that Belarus views Georgia as a potentially promising trade-economic partner in the Transcaucasia area. The President shared his impressions on the business forum’s results, underlining his hope to see turnover reaching up to $200m. Since today’s figure stands at just $65,000, progress will need to be significant. Naturally, there is more to collaboration than trade; joint manufacturing ventures can be extremely profitable if they reflect demand on the

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ter-state contacts can only yield fruit, as Mr. Margvelashvili agrees. He believes that unions are created for co-operation rather than for building obstacles. Minsk and Tbilisi have outlined several pilot projects for further business interaction, including the establishment of Belarusian lift production in Georgia, and assembly of some tractor models and agricultural equipment. Belarus is ready to satisfy Georgian partners’ needs for agricultural and communal machinery, as well as for city passenger transport, medicines and food. In addition, Belarusian specialists are ready to share their expertise and technologies with Georgia’s agricultural facilities. Mr. Lukashenko assured Mr. Margvelashvili that Belarus is a reliable partner and responds to all good intentions.

Journalists asked the Belarusian President his thoughts on the most sensitive issues facing Georgia, to which Mr. Lukashenko commented, “The President of Georgia has mentioned that, after all the turmoil and conflict between Georgia and Russia, it would be wise to build relations softly, refraining from some steps. This may be true but the President and I are realists. We’ve agreed to draw a line under the past, looking to the future. What steps can be taken to normalise relations between Georgia, Belarus and the Russian Federation? I think, in coming days, we’ll find at least one answer to the question of what can be done to not merely stop this rhetoric but to bring our states closer, living as a single family — as in the past. There are no contradictions between the Georgian, Belarusian and Russian nations. We observe a lack of understanding at a political level, but this can be overcome. We need to set concrete tasks, taking certain steps, as we’ve agreed. I cannot disclose the details of our agreements at present but you’ll hear them in time.” Tbilisi appreciates that sincerity is the best path to co-operation and has signed a joint declaration to further strengthen and develop our relations in all spheres. Our governments now need to liaise to realise these top-level agreements. At the end of the Belarusian President’s official visit to Georgia, Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Margvelashvili travelled to Batumi, to talk to the Chairman of the Government of Adjara, Archil Khabadze. The Belarusian Head of State signed an agreement to establish partner relations between Brest and Batumi. Adjara, in the south-west, is among the most developed regions of Georgia, boasting a climate perfect for growing tobacco, tea and citrus fruits, although it has few vineyards. A major tourist centre, it is seeking foreign investments — mostly from the UK, Turkey and Ukraine, and has received state financing to improve roads and to repair and construct water supply systems. By Vasily Kharitonov

VICTORY IN DOCUMENTS

Desired day How they celebrated the end of the Great Patriotic War, in 1945

n May 8th, Berlin time, in 1945, and May 9th Moscow time, the German leadership signed its act of capitulation, ending the Great Patriotic War. People in Belarus were immediately informed and their reaction is well-documented. Mr. Molochko, a Minsk leader of the time, wrote, 70 years ago: ‘Rumours of Nazi Germany troops having capitulated before the Red Army, as well as before the troops of our allies, began to emerge on May 8th. Large groups of people gathered on the streets near receiving sets, waiting for the message of the final Victory over Nazi Germany. When, on May 9th, the radio brought the happy news of the Victory, the streets of the city came alive. Even people who didn’t know each other greeted one another with Victory congratulations, kissed and, sometimes, cried with joy.’ By 10am, Minsk’s main Lenin Square had gathered around 55,000 people bearing banners and slogans, accompanied by music in various forms: almost half the population. Those who couldn’t attend learned about the Victory from public notices placed on houses. Mr. Molochko wrote: ‘From 8am, across the city, they began to put up flyers on which were printed details of the act of capitulation by the German armed forces. Mrs. Mikhalevich from Revolyutsionnaya Street, said, after reading a flyer: “Now, I believe that the war is over”. ’ A festive atmosphere reigned over the capital. Throughout the afternoon and evening, in Freedom Square and in Gorky Park, orchestras played and people danced. One document from that time states: ‘Victory festivities made May 9th, 1945 a day of common triumph and joy for the workers of Minsk city’. The city did not look vastly different to its present state, although Lenin Square is today’s Independence Square and was smaller at that time, covering the territory only in front of Government House. Gorky Park, Freedom Square and Revolyutsionnaya Street are almost unchanged. Workers from the Academy of Sciences astonished Minsk residents by planting 800 trees on the day on which the capitulation of Germany was announced, as one archive document tells us. News of their action came to the Head of the Government of Belarus, Panteleimon Ponomarenko, who declared it a ‘noble act’.

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VICTORY IN DOCUMENTS In May, at the invitation of Ponomarenko, architect Iosif Langbard came from Leningrad to Minsk, taking up the position of Head of Architecture and Planning. Before the war, he had built significant architectural sites in the capital of Belarus: Government House and the House of the Red Army (today’s Central House of Officers), the Opera Theatre, and the Academy of Sciences. These buildings all survived the occupation and Langbard was entrusted with rebuilding the city, renovating the best of what had existed previously, and continuing his masterpieces, which came to symbolise the endurance of the city and its citizens, the triumph of peace over war, life over death, and creativity over destructive power. Having met Victory Day, Belarus began to prepare for another important date: the first anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation. Known as Independence Day, a resolution was adopted in May 1945, declaring: ‘July 3rd, the anniversary of the liberation of the capital of Belarus, Minsk city, is to become National Victory Day: the Day of the Belarusian People’s Liberation from Nazi Occupation’. Every city across Belarus organised meetings and concerts. In Minsk, on July 1st, Gorky Park hosted a gymnastic festival and, on July 3rd, an exhibition of works by Belarusian artists opened, featuring pieces returned from Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. At the Central House of the Red Army, Minsk’s City Council met. The leadership received a telegram from the Ambassador of the USSR to the USA, resident of Belarus Andrey Gromyko. It stated: ‘Together with the Belarusian people, I feel their joy of liberation from fear of the German occupation and the return to peaceful days of happy, creative work’. Greetings were sent also by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Herbert Evatt: ‘On behalf of Australia and the Australian people, I congratulate the great Belarusian Republic on the anniversary of liberation from the Nazi hordes. I sincerely wish the Republic and its people a great holiday on July 3rd. I believe that, in the future, our countries will be closely connected’. Belarus entered a new age, of peace and creativity, which continues today. On May 9th, 1946, Belarusians celebrated the first anniversary of the Great Victory with a rainbow of fireworks at 11.30pm, over Freedom Square. Piotr Goncharov headed the Partisan Movement Department at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, 69 years ago. The museum was then situated in the three-story stone built House of Trade Unions, which still stands today. From there, the fireworks were directed. He recalls, “Telephone wires were carried onto the roofs of neighbouring buildings, and soldiers shot flares together. We only heard: ‘Get ready!’ and closed our eyes for a moment. Green and red snakes flew into the sky! After a few seconds, the orchestra began to play again.” The tradition of marking May 9th and July 3rd continues today: peace is our most precious possession. By Viktar Korbut

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Memory

Guns focus on the west Historians tend to incorrectly portray the early days of the Great Patriotic War as a chain of Red Army failures, where chaos reigned. Of course, our commanders and soldiers weren’t only retreating, fighting bravely on the Western front. Those events were truly impressive; the incredible fortitude of Soviet soldiers was to the fore.

ew know when the first tank battle of the Great Pat r i ot i c War to ok place. Studying military archives, I discovered two war shots, both featuring our crumpled T-26 tanks. The inscription read: ‘Soviet tanks damaged near Brest in 1941, their guns still focus westwards’. I decided to find the place where the photos had been taken, which was a challenge. General-Colonel Sandalov’s brochure, published with a small circulation and marked as ‘Confidential’ was devoted to the 4th Army’s border fights. For various reasons, it was long seen only by a limited circle of readers: mostly students of military academies. Leonid Sandalov was the Headquarter Head of the 4th Army of the Western Front, protecting the most direct (and shortest) road to Moscow (along the

Brest-Minsk-Smolensk line). On June 22nd, in the very first hours of the war, he went to the border front, heading to the town of Vidomlya on a T-26 tank, to meet the commander of the 30th Tank Division: Colonel Semen Bogdanov, aged 47. The latter was a former Tsar officer who had been freed from prison 18 months previously, having been granted amnesty from having taken part in a ‘military-fascist conspiracy’. Originally sentenced to death by firing squad, his punishment was abated and his crime recorded as ‘negligence in organising the division’s military preparations’. L e o n i d S a n d a l ov w r o t e : ‘At 12.30pm we arrived in Pelishche and, immediately came under attack from the major forces of the 30th Division’s tank squads. However, the enemy failed to sustain this and retreated to Vidomlya; squads of the 17th and 18th tank divisions of the Germans’ 47th Motorised Corps’.

With the help of my friends at Brest’s Rubezh (Border) Military-Historical Club, Andrey Vorobey, Yelena Vorobey and Alexander Zharkov, I visited the site of the battle last summer. This major crossroads now has a modern road junction. Having parked our car, we began investigating our surroundings, to find traces of the former tank fight. It seemed unlikely that we’d find anything, since so many decades had passed. However, Andrey found a heavy piece of metal: part of a T-26 tank track. It was clear proof of the struggle: a ‘steel document’. Holding it in my hands, I tried to imagine the encounter through the eyes of Colonel Sandalov. His military vehicle would have been standing not far away. That was the beginning of the war: June 22nd, 1941. The 30th Division was leaving Pruzhany as two tank squads, with a total of 120 vehicles and two motorised rifle regiment battalions. On the

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Memory

Colonel Semen Bogdanov On June 1st, 1945, the former Tsarist army lieutenant, who had fought in World War I, Semen Bogdanov, was awarded the title of Marshal of the Armoured Forces. Sadly the Victory cost him his only son, Rostislav (who died on the frontline) and his three brothers and sister. Semen was wounded four times but, like his opponent in his first battle, General Walter Nehring, survived.

Saturday-Sunday night of June 22nd, those tanks stayed in the forest, to the south-west of Pruzhany, allowing them to avoid losses. However, they were not so lucky on their way to the village of Poddubnoe, when German aircraft attacked their unprotected columns. Soviet soldiers left around 30 damaged cars on the Pruzhany-Vysokoe highway and continued with the remaining 90 vehicles. At 11pm, two columns — led by Colonel Bogdanov — passed Poddubnoe, reaching the crossroads to the north of the village of Pelishche. German tanks met them halfway, after breaking the Soviet troops’ right flank at an angle. They were advance guards of the 17th and 18th divisions, commanded by German General Walter Nehring. Soviet and German soldiers rushed out of the forest unexpectedly, facing each other along a 2km line, near Pelishche. A clover meadow and a field of

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oats separated them, with roads crossing from the north to the south and from the east to the west: from Kamenets to Zhabinka and from Pruzhany to Vysokoe. Christ, gazing down from a great copper and pine crucifix, cut a century ago, sadly observed the battle. The tanks began the attack, exchanging hasty and inaccurate shots. Immediately afterwards, gun artillery joined. It must have seemed as if prehistoric apatosaurus and tyrannosaurus were fighting. Some fled their steel vehicles: on fire or covered in blood. The enemy began retreating to the forest until Junkers aircraft appeared, making vertically dives and driving back the 30th Division. However, military fortune suddenly changed, with the aircraft leaving, allowing Bogdanov’s 2nd battalion to reach the crossroads, keen to go on the offensive. German commanders realised the new situation and ordered

General-Colonel Leonid Sandalov At 12.30pm we arrived in Pelishche and, immediately came under attack from the major forces of the 30th Division’s tank squads. However, the enemy failed to sustain this and retreated to Vidomlya; squads of the 17th and 18th tank divisions of the Germans’ 47th Motorised Corps’.

Memory

retreat to the west, to Vidoml, via the forestry highway. Around 90 burning tanks — German and Soviet — remained on the battlefield, below that roadside crucifix. Thus ended the first tank battle of the Great Patriotic War but, sadly, success did not last long. Another German division approached from the north, targeting Pruzhany one day later. The resulting skirmish left only 60 of Bogdanov’s 120 tanks, which were

of the 5th Army of Tank Troops. A few months later, he led the 12th Tank Corps. He fought on the fieriest fronts, including Stalingrad and the Kursk Arc (where he led the 9th Tank Corps) and took part in Operation Bagration, to liberate Belarus, commanding the 2nd Guards Tank Army. He later fought to liberate Brest, seeing once more his wrecked tanks (which had remained sitting at the crossroads since that memorable battle on June 22nd, 1941).

our commanders and soldiers weren’t only retreating, fighting bravely on the Western front. Those events were truly impressive; the incredible fortitude of Soviet soldiers was to the fore obliged to retreat to the River Shchara, where they joined infantry units and the 22nd Tank Division. They headed to Slutsk, to defend the city but, by the end of June 28th, 1941, only two of Bogdanov’s T-26 tanks were still in action, alongside three tractors and several dozen vehicles. After battles near Brest, Semen Bogdanov was sent to a dangerous section of the front, to command the Mozhaisk fortified district. He demonstrated his skills brilliantly, gaining appointment as Deputy Commander

The Germans did not utilise them, as they were situated too far from the railway. It was his personal military circle of fire: from Brest and back again. Later, Bogdanov took part in the ‘Pomeranian Shaft’ and fought for the Mazeritsky fortified district (near Oder): the largest of such a kind in Europe. It was there that the ‘camp of the earthworm’ was situated. Finally, he participated in the taking of Berlin, his tanks standing by the Brandenburg Gates on Victory Day. By that time, the famous general had been awarded two

Gold Stars, four Orders of the Red Banner, an Order of Suvorov (of both degrees), countless medals and, even, the medal of an Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire. On June 1st, 1945, the former Tsarist army lieutenant, who had fought in World War I, Semen Bogdanov, was awarded the title of Marshal of the Armoured Forces. Sadly the Victory cost him his only son, Rostislav (who died on the frontline) and his three brothers and sister. Semen was wounded four times but, like his opponent in his first battle, General Walter Nehring, survived. In March 1942, Semen was sent to Africa, where he headed the German African Corps and commanded German troops in Tunisia. The acute situation on the Eastern Front required the service of the best generals. His old rival, Walter Nehring, headed a tank corps near Vinnitsa. They may well have clashed on those new battlefields, and in the battle for Berlin. As Soviet General Bogdanov saluted to the Red banner flying over the Reichstag, General Nehring was sitting in the American camp (as Soviet Semen Bogdanov once did). At the whim of Fate, they were almost equal again. Twice Hero Bogdanov’s criminal record was never rescinded in his lifetime but he was rehabilitated by the Plenum of the Supreme Court in 1968, seven years after his death. To commemorate the memory of Marshal Bogdanov, his bronze bust was unveiled in St. Petersburg and streets in Moscow, Sevastopol and Pruzhany were named after him. A street in German Stadtallendorf commemorates Walter Nehring: General Nehring Strasse. After he was released from US custody in 1948, the former military leader made a successful career in civilian life. He outlived his Russian rival, dying in 1983, in Dusseldorf, at the age of 90. Bogdanov died in 1960, aged 66. Of course, it is not how long we live but how we live that is important. Semen Bogdanov lived a worthy life. Let us remember him! By Nikolay Cherkasov

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FATES

Soldier and peacemaker Marat Yegorov Having been a radio operator-scout during the Great Patriotic War, the Sevastopol native acquired his ‘home’ in Belarus. In addition, for a long time, before he died, he was its 'main peacemaker'. In 2001, the veteran was awarded the Order of Francysk Skaryna for special merits; in 2008, he was given the Order of Honour; and Cambridge University called Yegorov an 'Outstanding figure of the 20th century', naming him among the world’s most outstanding intellectuals.

have audiophiles of his voice in my journalistic archive, which I listened to while preparing an article on Marat Yegorov for the 65th anniversary of Victory, for Golas Radzimy newspaper (War and Peace of Marat Yegorov, May 14th, 2010). In the same year, on November 29th, the veteran died. His daughter Tatiana later said that his death was unexpected and came quickly. Many soldiers died in this manner during the war of course. Journalists called Yegorov the 'main peacemaker of Belarus'; for more than 40 years, he headed the Belarusian Fund of Peace. We talked to him, aged 87, on March 9th, in 2010, at the office of the Fund, in Minsk’s Trinity Suburbs. The

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FATES office was filled with books, folders and souvenirs from around the world. He was distracted by calls, urgent matters and people calling on him, but he managed to concentrate and return to our conversation. Capturing the nuances of our conversation was no easy task for a newspaper publication. His memoirs revealed all that he experienced, including lessons on war

with Marat Yegorov, I had to find other facts through research. Marat Fiodorovich, your peace-making work has allowed you to meet many well-known people. Which left the biggest impression? Many did so, including one of my friends, writer Boris Polevoy: the author of ‘Story of a Real Man’. He headed the Soviet Fund of Peace from 1969 until he

To tell the truth, I never drank alcohol during the war. All the tobacco and vodka I was given I gave to soldier friends. I helped liberate Odessa, and other cities across Ukraine, as well as Poland, Moldova, and the Caucasus and peace-making, learnt first-hand. Alas, few veterans remain alive and those living are very old. In the early 1990s, in the Soviet Union, wartime events were marginalised, with Vasil Bykov and Ales Adamovich having difficulty being published, due to censorial editing. Wishing to fully inform readers about the cruel truth of war, Adamovich and his friends, writer-veterans Yanka Bryl and Vladimir Kolesnik, began writing documentary prose. They travelled across Belarus and, together, wrote a book entitled I Am from a Fiery Village, telling of those few who survived the burning of their Belarusian villages. Later, Adamovich witnessed the Siege of Leningrad and persuaded St. Petersburg writer Daniil Granin to co-author Siege Book. They interviewed hundreds of witnesses, as I wrote about in Vyprabavanne Praudai newspaper (Test of Truth); the article was called Golas Radzimy and published on August 4th, 2015. As Marshal Zhukov once noticed, the truth of war is often misrepresented. Listening to a veteran’s recorded voice telling of his experiences can be more valuable than reading the analysis of a journalist. However, in 1970, working on Siege Book, Adamovich regretted that survivors of the siege had already forgotten much. Having only chatted briefly

died, in 1981. Then, in 1982, Anatoly Karpov took his place. The many times world chess champion once admitted that he considers me his spiritual counsellor. He now heads the International Association of Funds of Peace. We served with General Valentin Varennikov, a Hero of the Soviet Union, in his regiment: he was a battery commander and senior lieutenant, while I was a senior sergeant and radio operator-scout. Signalmen are called the army's elite, since communication is essential at the Front. I also served with the intelligence service, so was a 'person who could do everything'. I have a book signed by the former (last) Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR, General Vladimir Lobov. He wrote: 'For Dear Marat Fedorovich, as a keepsake. This it will be, for ever, and for nobody, except Marat!' While at the Front, I had to do 'unreal things'. Writers Ivan Melezh and Ivan Shamyakin are among your friends. How did you meet? After the war, I served in Bobruisk. When Ivan Shamyakin's ‘Glybokaya Plyn’ was published, I read it and I liked it. He wasn’t well-known at the time, only later becoming a laureate of the State Award of the USSR, a Hero of Social Labour, and an Academic. I organised a conference

on the novel for my unit and we invited Shamyakin to speak. His conversation was interesting. I was transferred to the reserve and began working in TV, having my 'Topical Screen' programme in the 1970s. One episode was about the Union of Writers and I happened to see Melezh and Shamyakin in the audience. Shamyakin approached me afterwards and said that my face looked familiar so I reminded him of our meeting in Bobruisk. Then, he said to Melezh, "Ivan, we’ve found our new Head of Literary Fiction. He’s already engaged in this line of work and knows the business." I told a few amusing anecdotes and the two Ivans asked me to work with them. I thought how interesting they were and good examples to follow, so I started working with them. We spent a great deal of time together. I organised the USSR Children's Literature Weeks in Belarus and, when we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the birth of Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, in 1972, I organised everything. This allowed me to meet many writers from across the USSR. From the Union of Writers you moved to peacemakers... Yes, I went to the Soviet Peace Fund. I remember that, on March 27th, the Second All-Belarusian Conference of Defenders of the Peace met at the Palace of Trade Unions. Ivan Melezh delivered a report, being Chairman of the Peace Protection Committee. Ivan Shamyakin and other worthy people were in the Presidium; we held elections and Melezh was again elected Chairman. The Soviet Peace Fund was formed in Moscow, collecting money for peacemaking activities, and the Belarusian Commission of Assistance to the Soviet Peace Fund was created at the conference. Its Chairman was People's Artiste of the USSR Zair Azgur and Melezh suggested me as Vice-chair. Thus, I began dealing with peace issues. Soon, it will have been 40 years since I began in this sphere! I went to Moscow to learn how to carry out my work. I adopted Ukrainian experience, as peace-making was organised better in Crimea and it inspired me. Crimea is my

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Tatiana Egorova

FATES

Marat Fiodorovich has full understanding with his grandson Egor

native land, as I come from Sevastopol, from Korabelnaya Storona; my street is near Ushakova Balka. However, after some time, we left Sevastopol. While we are on the subject of where you come from, could you tell me about your name? My communist-mother, an elementary classroom teacher, gave me the name Marat in honour of Jean-Paul Marat: one of the leaders of the French Revolution. I was born in 1923. Before the war, she was sent to work in Baidary [after 1945, called Orlinoye] near Sevastopol, on the way to Foros. There were few Russians; basically they were Tatars. The children sat in one classroom, and mum taught them 'according to the required level of knowledge'. At that time, I was 5 years old, so I listened and grasped everything easily. Then, mum was sent to MTS near Kerch; she knew technology well, as she’d worked as a mechanic. She taught tractor operators about engines and how a tractor was made. Sometimes, when mum went out, I explained the same to cadets.

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When did the war begin for you? I went into the army on August 1st, 1941. My company comprised Georgians, Armenians, Tatars and Russians. There were no divisions by nationality. All aspired to be the ‘best’ rifleman in the Voroshilov Regiment. We passed our RWD 'Ready to Work and Defend' tests and, when the war began, we persuaded the Commissioner of Military Registration and the enlistment office to take us into the army. We were told that, come August, we’d be accepted as volunteers. They sent ten of us to school, to study. We led a healthy lifestyle, not smoking or drinking alcohol. We were good guys. We started seeing ourselves as soldiers so, before going to the Front, we decided to drink some alcohol. Senior Kostya suggested that we take half a glass of wine. We did as he said; then, we smoked a little. We agreed that we wouldn’t drink or smoke during the war but would on our return. Did you manage to do so? To tell the truth, I never drank alcohol during the war. All the tobacco and vodka I was given I gave to soldier friends. I helped

liberate Odessa, and other cities across Ukraine, as well as Poland, Moldova, and the Caucasus. I was wounded near Warsaw. I never fought in Germany though. I took part in the 1945 Victory Parade, in Moscow. I was to receive the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, as I’d forced a path over the Vistula with a submachine gun, with the help of a portable radio transmitter. I answered artillery fire and aided a successful crossing. I described those events in 'Order of Life', which was published. After the war, I returned home. It was not possible to inform my mother in advance so I just walked up the stairs, meeting her as she was going down, to work. She didn’t recognise me though: the son who’d survived the war. She asked who I was calling on and I said with a smile, “You, Tatiana Valentinovna…” Such was our meeting. My brother Vladlen died after the war and, of those ten guys, only I survived. I went to Primorski Avenue, where we always gathered, near the Monument to lost ships. It was our special place. I filled ten half-glasses and lit ten cigarettes, giv-

FATES ing a toast to Victory on their behalf. It seemed that I heard the voice of Captain Kostya, from 1941, saying, "When we return, we’ll drink and smoke!" They did not return so I raised my glass and said, “Henceforth and forever, in memory of fallen friends...” There is a Monument to lost ships and I am a monument to fallen friends: a living monument. Since then, whatever the situation, I’ve chosen not to drink. It is especially difficult in this position, as there are so many dinners and gatherings when people toast to peace and friendship. I lift a glass, but avoid drinking: I’m an inventor by nature so I’ve created a whole system of protection. If, at a restaurant, a waiter brings two bottles, I will have prepared one of them. If not, then water is always to hand: if vodka enters my mouth, I take a glass of water next and spit it out there. Then, I change the water. Thanks to God, I turned 87 in February, and I remain in the ranks. I don’t yet feel old age. And you don’t take any pills? Absolutely not! I like to walk. I buy honey from a local beekeeper: 5 or 6 3l jars annually year. My daughter Tatiana also eats honey. My journalistic genes were transferred to her. My granddaughter, also Tatiana, studies at an American university while my younger daughter Irina has a Ph.D. in Engineering Science. She has 15 inventions and has worked as chair at the Technological University. When the USSR collapsed, she moved to Gosstroy, working for other state structures. She studied and then joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, working at embassies abroad as economic adviser. My grandson Yegor, Irina's son, was baptised by the Philaret. Yegor Yegorov graduated from the Institute of Modern Knowledge as a programmer. I’m also a technician, having grasped mathematics, physics and chemistry easily, since learning about 'mum's tractor'. However, I became a political worker, spending 27 years in the army and 38 years with the Peace Fund. Daughters, a granddaughter and a grandson... What other legacy do you leave?

At the age of 87 Marat Yegorov was quite fit

Brochures. 1986 was the UN World Year of Peace so every nation prepared materials. I introduced information on Belarus and Minsk, for which the capital received the title 'Minsk: Envoy of Peace of the United Nations'. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the USSR then asked me to write a book 'Belarus in the Fight for Peace'. It was translated into French, Spanish and English, and exhibited at the United Nations' headquarters. I was delighted. By the way, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs views Peace Fund staff as an unofficial extension of their own ministry, since we can do what official diplomacy sometimes cannot. There may be a conference

on the protection of peace in New York, to which our ambassador has no automatic invitation. However, as a private citizen of Belarus, I may attend, and have him accompany me. Since 1995, I’ve held the title of Ambassador of Peace: awarded by the World Federation of Peace. Our former Ambassador to the USA, Mikhail Khvostov, [2003-2009] also received the title. At which large foreign forums have you spoken? I am a member of the presidium of the European Forum of Peace. In 2005, I was invited to the Berlin headquarters to take part in a session marking the 60th anniversary of the Victory. Nearly 40 people gathered, but I was the only veteran, so was

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FATES asked to deliver a speech! There were no restrictions on what I might say. I then gave a telephone interview to ‘Junge Welt’ newspaper and was asked to speak at Berlin’s Humboldt University, at a public meeting devoted to the anniversary of the liberation of Germany from Fascism. I was anxious the night before, feeling as if I was going ‘into battle’. I outlined a plan, including statistics and names, and spoke for 30 minutes. It was one of the most difficult speeches of my life. I always speak without papers. They applauded me nearly 10 times. I began by saying that I represented all Soviet people and soldiervictors. That we came not as invaders, but as victors, and that the first action we took in the city of destroyed, burnt Berlin was to help simple people who were hungry and poor. We made porridge, opening mobile kitchens in the squares. People were scared by Goebbels’ propaganda, believing that we might wish to poison them, so our cooks had to eat from the bowls themselves to convince people. Children were the first to approach, taking their scoops. In my speech, I said that they were young envoys of peace: the future of Germany: People's diplomats. A woman then stood up and said, "I was one of those children". I finished with words by Nâzım Hikmet, the Turkish poet and fighter for peace: 'If I will not shine, / If you will not shine, / If we will not shine-/Then who will disperse darkness?' I saw the interpreter's tears as she translated. I know that you have interesting joint programmes with Germans... Yes, I have. In particular, in 2001, we held our Flight of Peace, devoted to the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War and the 15th anniversary of Chernobyl. We went by bus from Minsk to Brest, then across Poland to Germany. We planted Trees of Peace from Minsk’s Khatyn. It was April and nature was awakening. A cameraman joined us, helping us make a good film. I spoke at each place and was told that, although I’d given 15 speeches, I never repeated myself. We’d drive into a city and see children on

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tricycles surrounding us, welcoming us by ringing their bells. It was wonderful! Whom among the Germans co-ordinated the project? Johannes Thiele, who worked with us on helping children from Chernobyl-affected regions. He brought humanitarian supplies and helped with arrangements for restorative trips. He used to teach at a college but then devoted himself to peacemaking activities. His father was killed near Vitebsk, by partisans. I received a call from workers in Vitebsk telling me that a German was looking for the burial place of his father, so I asked them to help him. They located it in one of the regions and told him that I’d facilitated, so we later met. Johannes is from the city of Korschenbroich, in Düsseldorf District. He told me, “My heart is heavy as I know that many people from Belarus died, I feel responsibility for my father’s actions.” He added that his father had been kind, and had never even fired a shot. I suggested that we should think of a plan and we came up with the idea of ‘Chernobyl’ children going to Germany for their health. I’d taken 216 Jewish children from Gomel Region to Israel previously, and had worked with my former comrade in arms, General Varennikov, to take 1,000 Belarusian children from Chernobyl-affected regions to military sanatoria in the USSR. Can you tell us more about your time at the Front with the future general? Varennikov took my letter of request to the Minister of Defence, Yazov, for signing. I reminded Varennikov that he ‘owed me’ from our time crossing the rivers of the Southern Bug, Inhul and Inhulets, fighting with the 8th Guard (after the capture of Dnepropetrovsk, it became the 3rd Ukrainian Front). We were going to Odessa, forging rivers ahead of the transport unit. We had to deliver shells for tanks and the artillery, carrying them about our necks. I carried a 25kg radio, in addition to two mines, a submachine gun and accumulator batteries: 50kg in all! I sometimes say to the young that, if they want to feel some aspect of the war, they should carry a sack of potatoes on

their shoulders and walk for 30 or 40km, as we used to do. We’d navigate ravines and hills. I’d often be told to run ahead and see what lays beyond a hill, so I did. There was one occasion when I scouted beyond a couple of hills and found four vehicles, loaded with boxes of mortar bombs. The Germans' gun tube was 81mm, while ours was 82, so their shells were suitable for ours. I decided to take a vehicle, since there were no Fascists around and I knew how to drive, having learnt at military training school. However, the car was French, a 'Renault', and I had trouble getting it started. Meanwhile, the Germans returned and began shooting in my vicinity. I was surprised, as their attack could have blown the mortars sky-high and them also. They tried to bully me rather than making a direct hit. Luckily, I worked out the gear-box and drove away, taking twists and turns to avoid being hit by enemy fire. I was heading for our soldiers, followed by a German tank. There was so much firing it was like an orchestra playing! Our men realised there was an enemy vehicle coming and were ready to go on the offensive but I flashed the sun with a mirror. Varennikov saw it and realised that it must be me! He called off our men from shooting at me and, rather, they managed to put the tank following me out of action. They all received awards as a result: I helped the future general receive his Order! A few days later, I hijacked a second vehicle and captured two drivers, for which I was awarded the Red Star order. Varennikov knew me well. After Vistula, I also helped draw fire for him. Later, when I presented my request to him, I reminded him that he ‘owed me’, because of the Order he’d received. He couldn’t remember at first, wondering if we’d played a card game. He was the Deputy Minister of Defence and Commander-inchief of the land forces of the USSR by that time. He started laughing, remembering what had happened. He took then my letter to the Minister of Defence for signing. Thanks to that Fascist tank that we burnt, a thousand Belarusian children managed to go on a trip to improve their health... By Ivan Zhdanovich

AVENGERS

Over 6,000 partisan units and underground groups operated during the Great Patriotic War, in enemy-occupied territories. More than a million such ‘volunteer avengers’ took part in hundreds of exploits, blowing up bridges and derailing trains.

Front beyond the front line

erman soldiers called them the ‘forest front’ and often feared them more than the fighters on the main front. They were known for their elusiveness, and for taking ‘revenge’ upon Nazi troops who brought punishment down upon villages. They enjoyed public support everywhere, bringing strength and invincibility. For their dedicated and skilful work, showing courage and heroism, more than 311,000 partisans were awarded with orders and medals and 248 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The first avengers Few realise that the first partisan unit during the Great Patriotic War was established in Pinsk, on the evening of June 22nd, 1941. That morning, legendary partisan Vasily Korzh asked the First Secretary of the Pinsk Regional Committee, Avksenty Minchenko, for permission to establish a partisan group. Minchenko initially responded in the spirit of pre-war propaganda, urging that the Red Army would fight back on the Bug River, and that battles would only be fought on foreign soil; by that evening, his assessment had dramatically changed. A small detachment of volunteers was created and extra weapons distributed from the District Military Enlistment Office. On June 28th, the partisan group joined its first battle. Ger-

mans had occupied Pinsk, inspiring Korzh to move his group along the PinskLogishin tract, to Ryaboi Bridge (through Yaselets), where they ambushed the Germans’ light tanks. The commander ordered that his men remain at a distance and throw grenades but the Instructor of the City Committee of the Party, Salokhin, managed to throw several grenades under the first tank. The partisans then opened fire on the observation slits, inspiring the second tank to turn back. They removed the weapons from the first tank and captured the crew. During interrogation, the

Lieutenant couldn’t believe that his tank had been knocked out by civilians, declaring “This is against the rules; I won’t surrender myself to be a prisoner of civilians. Take me to military command.” From July to September, 1941, the partisan group was unable to engage major military units in combat, lacking weaponry, ammunition or forces. However, they conducted ambushes and attacked single vehicles, including motorcycles. They destroyed communi-

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AVENGERS cation lines and burned bridges, striking vital blows and causing panic among the enemy. Moreover, their actions helped raise the spirits of those who remained in occupied territories. The propaganda of Goebbels daily trumpeted: ‘The Red Army is broken. Stalin has fled the capital. The Great Reich is invincible.’ Those who were fainthearted gave up, cowardly deciding to serve the Nazis. Those who were courageous and honest clenched their teeth and, having collected their will into a fist,

partisans were then allowed to receive food, horses and other provisions.

fought back. Partisans not only fought the enemy but gave hope of winning. From January 1942, at the junction of Minsk, Pinsk and Polesie regions, a partisan zone began to form and was soon the size of an average European state. The Nazis couldn’t conquer this peculiar partisan republic. In the zone covered by partisan commandants, order was brought to villages, allowing collective farms to operate and children to attend school. With t h e i r p e r m i ss i on ,

ular army ‘meet’ the enemy. That they broke the rules, doing what was necessary to survive and strike blows to the enemy is undeniable. The ends justified the means. In February 1942, the first major partisan raid took place upon the districts of Lyuban, Starobin, Slutsk, Krasnoslobodsky, Starodorozhsky, Gantsevichi and Zhitkovichi. Units under Komarov, Rozov, Patrin, Stolyarov and Konstantinov crossed several hundred kilometres, inducing fear and panic among the enemy as they crushed garrisons.

War against the rules The tactics of partisan warfare don’t fit military canons and appear to be full of adventure and bravery but, of course, they were no more than the actions necessary at the time and in the circumstances. They were defiant, refusing to be conquered, using anything available to fight: even pitchforks and axes. They also helped well-armed parts of the reg-

Their success inspired many to join them, especially young people and those who had escaped captivity. From each battle, they salvaged enemy weapons, ammunition and food, gaining the advantage by refusing to follow ‘patterns’.

Invincible Walter Scott wrote that to try to surround partisans is like carrying water in a sieve. Army officers would assess a situation on a map but partisans did not rely on roads, often using small paths, through which they slipped unnoticed. Neither Napoleon nor Hitler, with their powerful armies, could conquer partisan brigades. A couple of weeks after John F. Kennedy became the President of the USA, journalists came to his office and noticed a copy of Che Guevara’s book on his desk: writings on Irish ‘guerrilla’ warfare. Mr. Kennedy explained that he wanted to understand the essence of ‘partisan’ tactics, to help shape the USA’s response to Vietnamese ‘guerrilla’ warfare, which was ousting them from the country. Pinsk’s partisans showed maximum efficiency during the war, with eight teams by 1944, who killed about 27,000 Nazis and defeated more than 60 major enemy garrisons, as well as derailing about 500 trains carrying men and military equipment. They blew up 62 railway bridges and about 900 road bridges but their main achievement was in diverting enemy forces from their ‘real’ goals. According to the German General Headquarters, on October 1st, 1943, about 52 divisions were battling the partisans, trying to protect military facilities. In comparison, after the opening of the second front, Hitler sent 50 divisions against our allies. Zhukov’s evaluation of the partisans reads: “The enemy troops’ command had to create a second front to fight partisans, which distracted a large force of troops and seriously affected the overall state of the German front, ultimately affecting the outcome of the war.” By Maxim Nikolayev

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KHATYN

Forever in memory The bells at the place of burnt by the castigators village sound as an eternal reminder

On March 22nd, 1943, German Fascists destroyed the Belarusian village of Khatyn, burning 149 alive — not only women and the elderly but 75 children, including babies

ach year, the Khatyn Memorial Complex is crowded on this day, with many wishing to mark this sorrowful aspect of Belarusian history. Khatyn symbolises the torture and suffering experienced during the dark years of occupation. Young and old gather to remember together the awful events of 72 years ago. It may seem a ‘lifetime’ past but the horror witnessed by that small forest village and its residents continues to have the power to freeze our hearts. Hitler’s soldiers are thought to have killed over 1.4m people across Belarus: via concentration camps, ghettos, burnt villages and bombed houses. Celebrations last year marked the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation, including the release of two collections of archive materials. One is entitled Khatyn: Tragedy and Memory (part of the Archive. History. Memory series) — impressively uniting almost every document known on the destruction of

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KHATYN the village and its residents. Meanwhile, Khatyn Nekropolis offers readers complete information on other Belarusian villages which shared Khatyn’s fate. Published jointly by the Justice Ministry’s Department on Archives and Record Keeping, the National Archives, the State Security Committee’s Central Archives and Khatyn State Memorial Complex, the series has only a small issue, making the editions rarities.

Tragedy On March 22nd, 1943, as two troops from the 1st squadron of the 118th police guard battalion were sent to restore a communication line broken by partisans, between Pleshchenitsy and Logoisk, they were ambushed by the Avenger partisan troop. Besides wounding several men, the partisans killed Chief Commander Hans Welkeе-Hauptmann — a favourite of Hitler and an Olympic champion, alongside two policemen. As a result, SS-Sonderkommando Dirlewanger was sent to exact inhumane revenge, selecting Khatyn.

Witness statement Iosif Kaminsky — a Khatyn villager, born in 1887; his four children and wife died in the fire: ...When I came to the barn, I saw ten people — including my family. I asked why they were undressed and my wife Adeliya and daughter Yadviga replied that the Fascists had taken their clothes. People were being brought continuously to the barn so that, in a short period of time, it was completely crowded; it was even impossible to raise a hand. The barn was 12x6m… From inside, we could see that many houses were already on fire. I realised that we would be shot so I told all those in the barn, “Pray to God, as everyone will die here…” ...Ordinary villagers were brought to the barn, including many small children and, even, newborns. Most were women and old people. With my 15 year old son, Adam, I stood by the wall: those killed were falling upon us while those alive tore around in waves. Blood flowed from those killed and wounded. The roof fell in, strengthening those terrible, wild cries. Those aflame cried out horribly and thrashed about under the roof such that all seemed to spin. I managed to crawl between corpses and burning people, to reach the door. A Fascist standing near the door shot me with a gun. My burning son, Adam, somehow ran out of the barn but was brought down after about 10m. I was wounded and chose not to move, to avoid being shot again. Many people, dead and burnt, were evident near the barn. Some time later, I heard a signal for the Fascists to leave. After they had driven away, I heard my son Adam, who lay about 3m away, calling for me to take him out of a puddle. I crawled closer and saw that he was virtually cut in half by bullets. Adam asked me whether his mother was still alive and then, immediately, died.

Pain Khatyn villagers were buried on the third day after the tragedy, their grave marked by three crosses. These remained long after the war, protecting and cherishing the memory of those killed. Later, the crosses were replaced by a simple obelisk in the form of a wooden pyramid, bearing a red star. In 1964, the Groaning Mother monument was erected and, on July 5th, 1969, Khatyn Memorial Complex

Village Council, in Minsk Region’s Pleshchenitsy District. It details the burning of Khatyn, reported by villagers from Selishche, and is dated March 25th, 1943. It states: ‘Seven people from Selishche village prepared a report in the presence of partisans, stating that, on March 22nd of the above mentioned year, German monsters attacked the neighbouring village

According to incomplete data, Hitlerites killed over 1.4m people on the Belarusian territory in concentrated camps, ghettos, in the burnt villages and bombed houses... opened, designed by Belarusian architects Y. Gradov, V. Znkovich, L. Levin and sculptor S. Selikhanov — a People’s Artist of the BSSR. Perhaps the first archive document on Khatyn was recorded by Kamenka

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of Khatyn and burnt all its houses. 150 of its residents were savagely tortured and burnt’. Other documents also throw light on Khatyn’s bloody history.

From the order of the Head of Reichskommissariat Ostland’s Operative Headquarters about the launch of fighting against partisans in Belorussiya’s General Commissariat. November 18th, 1942, Minsk: ...Upon the order of the ReichsführerSS plenipotentiary on fighting partisan troops, Obergruppenführer-SS gives heads of punitive groups permission to independently decide whether to burn down villages, or evacuate or kill residents… Take on this difficult police task with the desire to clean Belorussiya’s General Commissariat of partisan troops and bring peace to this area. Standartenführer-SS, Dr. Pifrader Several months later, Pifrader-style ‘pacification’ covered Khatyn with an eternal black veil. Nazi ‘conciliation’ was synonymous with death. By Vladimir Velikhov

Ivan Zhdanovich

LINK OF TIMES

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LINK OF TIMES

Father’s war

Reflections on the guards of soldier Mikhail Cherkashin

y father did not like to speak about the war; when moved to, he was sparse in detail, recalling only the succession of events. No matter how much we (children, and then grandchildren) begged to hear his tales and how he felt at the time, he remained largely silent, preferring to go to the porch to smoke. Even when I needed to write an essay about the war for school, he would not share too many details. As we pressed him, the smile would fade from his face. His pallor would become grey, as if his life force were draining from his body. First from the porch of our Ukrainian wattle house and then from that of our new home in Kharkov Region’s Volchansk, we’d often hear sharp coughing. It was sorrowful to listen to and, my mother said, was from having played wind instruments, rather than having smoked cigarettes. He used to roll his own, showing me how to do so when I was just 4 years old. I’d cheerfully fold the sheet, 'pressing' it with my fingers, then tearing in half, sticking together the edges with saliva. Later, we used grey-white tissue paper for his tobacco: ‘Sever’, ‘Belomorkanal’, ‘Astra’ or ‘Prima’. He had played wind instruments from the age of 18, which had placed strain on his lungs. At university in Kiev, I’d bring him relatively expensive Herzegovina Flor cigarettes, as well as pipes, cigarette cases, and mouthpieces. I tried to convince him that it was better for

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him to smoke light cigarettes but he was set in his ways. The mouthpiece of his baritone and, later, his trombone, always smelt faintly of tobacco. The mouthpiece seemed to possess its own magic and I still recall how it tasted, just as my fingers 'remember' its smooth copper surface. In childhood, I wondered if musicians purposefully blew smoke from cigarettes into their wind instruments and to where it

play Amur Waves: why, I did not ask. Perhaps, this melody reminded him of his four years with the Pacific fleet. It was there that he was taught to play wind instruments and was photographed as a young seaman in his peakless cap. We still have the photo. I wish I’d asked him about his friends, where he went on leave, and where his unit was located. His draft card reads: ‘Mikhail Cherkashin is classified as fit for service in the

During combat operations, musical platoons would sometimes become hospital attendants, or trophy or funeral brigades, or they’d carry shells. They were still placed in the way of danger and were obliged to commit daring feats disappeared. My father joked that it settled on the walls. I used to love playing his baritone, pressing the shiny buttons. Meanwhile, I’d imitate smoking with a comb wrapped in tissue paper, although it was ticklish on the lips. Whenever my father was learning a new piece, I’d try to copy him on the harmonica he’d brought back from the war. I’ve no idea where it is now, and there is nobody to ask. I’d often ask him to play a melody from the war years, Officers Waltz or Amur Waves, but he’d become sullen. My mother would asked for Modest Blue Kerchief and would berate him a little, saying, “Misha, is it so difficult for you to do what the child asks?” He’d sometimes capitulate, and would choose to

ranks and is accepted as a cadet into the school of experts of the Pacific fleet’. He joined on October 1st, 1932: the year in which the fleet was developed, 'with the aim of strengthening Soviet boundaries in the Far East’. He was transferred to the reserve on October 1st, 1936, and soon met my mother. She was just 16 when she first saw the gallant seaman, taking a break between rehearsals for Tamila, staged by Volchansk folk theatre. She was playing the lead. She recalls being most impressed not by his attractive appearance but by his rich seal fur coat, which he wore over his sailor's jacket, bought from Vladivostok. Nobody in Volchansk had such clothes but it was perfect for winter in Valuyki.

LINK OF TIMES Valuyki is also part of our family history. When the war began, my father was called up almost immediately, being directed 100km from Volchansk, into the 690th airfield service battalion, on the third day. Based near Valuyki, the district centre of Belgorod Region, he was appointed to manage supplies. In winter, he was passing through Volchansk by vehicle and managed to collect his young wife, then 20, and a 3year-old son, my older brother, Yuri. My mother then found a job as an accountant with his battalion, leaving Yuri with the lady in whose home they were staying. My mother recalled that it was ‘a terrible time of severe frost, with many pilots dying daily’. Quite a few wives followed their husbands to Valuyki, with their children, all believing that the war would end quickly. In February 1942, my father was transferred into the 51st Guard Infantry Division’s Musical Platoon. While with the 690th battalion, he must have mentioned learning to play as a marine. His Red Army Book states that he was listed 108th in his military occupational specialty as a brass band musician. His medals are also listed, from his participation in the Battle of Kursk, near Stalingrad. His son Bogdan has them. The anniversary of the Great Victory is inspiring me to reflect, pulling together as much information as I can about my ‘father's war’. I was always proud of his musical talent, including his playing with the Volchansk Recreation Centre Orchestra, which entertained at holidays, concerts and funerals. His earnings were modest and I needed to go to kindergarten, so he took a second job as a household manager, where his pre-war sales accountancy training was useful.

For a long time I thought that my father was just naturally secretive. Only recently have I understood that I was mistaken, since most veterans (those I’ve seen on television and those I know personally) are reluctant to reveal everything about the war years: even those who are good storytellers. They have an instinct for self-preservation. It’s not

hard to imagine how the horrors of war paralyse the memory. The faces of those who survived death and terror can become rigid at the bare mention of it. My father’s face became rigid too. When pressed, he recalled washing bandages, and removing amputated limbs in basins, as well as burying those who had died, or dragging the wounded

Awards and documents of Mikhail Cherkashin

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LINK OF TIMES

Ivan Zhdanovich

from a battlefield. There we other more mundane practicalities, such as being careful of what you said on the phone. Sometimes, there was music too. One forum states: ‘Following the old Russian tradition, a musician platoon (part of many military divisions) would become the regimental orchestra, under a conductor, between fighting. Musicians performed patriotic military songs and marches, as well as folk music and popular melodies. Quite often, musicians would play during offensive fighting operations, to lift soldiers’ spirits and inspire them to attack. During combat operations, musical platoons would sometimes become hospital attendants, or trophy or funeral brigades, or they’d carry shells. They were still placed in the way of danger and were obliged to commit daring feats’. It saddens me greatly that I can no longer ask my father about the Great Patriotic War. Did he have dreams about those years and his friends? Was he haunted by memories, or did he manage to put them behind him? How often did he write letters to his wife and son, who stayed with his mother Yekaterina,

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elder sister and his two small nephews for some time during the Nazi occupation. I can’t help but feel that I’d have more success in persuading him to chat these days. Back then, we rarely had visitors, and when they came, the conversation was on trivial matters. My knowledge of his war experiences stems from a few passing remarks, mum's stories and remaining documents. I have only a sketchy outline of ‘his’ war: not enough to recreate the terrible reality in which he lived for 24 hours a day over three and a half years: over 1,300 days and nights. My father died in January 1993, 48 years after being wounded in January 1945, when he was evacuated to the 414th hospital in Yekaterinburg (then Sverdlovsk). I remember him telling me that he’d been sent to Sverdlovsk, stressing the first syllable, as is characteristic of our Kharkov District accent. His war began on June 24th, 1941, and ended in April 1945, as his Red Army Book and draft card states. His documents note that he was treated at the 414th hospital, in Yekaterinburg, at 145 Mamin-Sibiryak Street. Now the House of Industry, it bears a memorial plaque from grey marble, commemorating the work of hospital #414, where my father was sent on being severely wounded by a direct hit. January 16th 1945 was a day of shelling by enemy aircraft, and several young girl-signallers had died. Researching online, I’ve found that the 51st division was under Liepāja, headed to Königsberg. My father told me that his friends in the orchestra, Armenian Bagramyan and Jewish Mikhail Cherpakov, had pulled him out from under rubble. Both had recognised him by his felt boots, hemmed in large stitches with leather, in his particular style, as he’d been taught at the age of 12, as apprentice to a shoemaker. The craft saved his life. Of all my father's friends, he had particularly wanted to meet Bagramyan after the war. He’d been keen to go to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations and I’d thought about it too, during my student

years. Veterans gather every year by the Kremlin, hoping to meet their brothersoldiers. It’s a pity that I never managed to attend with my father. While near Kursk, he was once taken to a Victory Day celebration, along with others from the Volchansk regional military registration and enlistment office. They went to the well-known memorial complex honouring Kursk Battle heroes, unveiled on August 3rd, 1973. My mother recalled that my father was very happy that day. He managed to meet Mikhail twice: once, he came with his wife to Volchansk, staying with us; later, in 1981, my parents travelled to Riga to see the Cherpakov family. My father told me that his friend had written a book about the life of ‘war musicians' but I have no idea if it was ever published. If only I knew more about how my father struggled during those war years. I feel I’d be richer, emotionally, for this. Online, I’ve read: ‘On the night of 26th January, 1943, the commander of the Don front, K.K. Rokossovsky, gave the order to penetrate Mamayev Kurgan and to finish the partition of the remaining, surrounded German troops. On the morning of that day, to music played by the soldiers’ orchestra of the 51st Division, they began the attack, alongside the 121st Tank Brigade and the 52nd Division. At Kurgan, they united with the 13th Guard and the 284th Infantry divisions of the 62nd Army, to fulfil their mission’. Sergeant Ossetian Azamat Keytukov recorded: Keytukov fought with the 158th Guard Infantry Regiment of the 51st Guard Infantry Division. He had been at the Battle of Stalingrad and at Kursk, as well as taking part in Operation Bagration in Belarus. His most memorable fight was during the Battle of Stalingrad. One evening, the commander of the company came to Keytukov’s department to tell him that attack would begin at dawn. He added, “We’ll go with music, comrade sergeant!” At dawn, the company of submachine gunners took up initial positions for attack. Regimental musicians, led by conductor V.Y. Filatov, moved in. Rockets flashed in the sky and then ‘Inter-

LINK OF TIMES nationale’ struck up. The artillery began 1942, and continued until February to attack. Cheers of “Hurrah! Hurrah!” 2nd, 1943. In that same year, my father sounded over the entrenchments, and the was thanked officially for good combat guard division rushed forward’. operations in July, seeing off a German My father, a divisional musician, attack near Belgorod: known as the Batwas there. With his companions from tle under Prokhorovka and the Battle of the orchestra, he assisted the wounded, Kursk (from July 5th until August 23rd, as I know from my Internet research. 1943). On July 22nd, 1944, my father was Looking at ‘Feats of People in the Great awarded his second medal ‘For Services Patriotic War 1941-1945’ (<http://www. in Battle’. podvignaroda.mil.ru/?>), I found the Seventy years later, it’s hard to say surname Filatov and details of the con- why he wasn’t commended ‘For Bravery’, ductor mentioned by Keytukov! Guard as Commander Ivaschenko, the Guard Senior Lieutenant V.Y. Filatov put for- Senior Lieutenant of the Medical and ward Mikhail Cherkashin for the 'Serv- Sanitary Battalion, had petitioned for. ices in Battle' award list, on December His application reads: ‘During station10th, 1943. ing, the Medical and Sanitary Battalion ‘Feats’ writes: ‘Comrade Cherkashin, was located continworking in a medical and sanitary batuously in the fortalion as a hospital attendant-carrier, has ward group. He a fair and honest attitude to work. During fighting from November 8th, 1943, to November 13th, 1943, he regularly delivered the wounded to the sorting platoon and to the operational platoon. Comrade Cherkashin, knowing neither weariness nor rest, renders aid to wounded soldiers and officers and helps evacuate them to the field hospital’. On 27th December, my father’s award was issued, his second, after his medal ‘For Defence of Stalingrad’. His Red Army Book records: ‘For participation in the successful defeat of Stalingrad, and grouping of the enemy, Stalin gave two ‘official gratitudes’. Awarded a medal ‘For Defence of Stalingrad’ We light this father’s fishing lantern annually in 1943 [by order of the Preon Victory Day sidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR, from December 22nd, 1942]. From history, we learn that the battle for Stalingrad began on July 17th,

worked there day and night, without sleep or rest, rendering the fastest aid to those ill and wounded. During fighting from June 20th, 1944, onwards, Comrade Cherkashin delivered 450 wounded people to the sorting platoon. During his work for the Medical and Sanitary Battalion, he helped evacuate wounded soldiers and officers. He commands respect among the wounded and deserves the ‘For Bravery’ Governmental medal’. My father also helped liberate cities across Belarus, during Operation Bagration: Polotsk and Vitebsk. He sustained two wounds: on January 20th, 1943, he had a contusion and, on January 16th, 1945, he was seriously injured. In the awards list of January 23rd, 1945, signed by Colonel Kovalenko, Commander of the 49th Separate Polotsk Order of Alexander Nevsky and the Signal Regiment Order of the Red Star, I read official lines which truly touched me. I had to hold back my tears, realising that I hadn’t told my father often enough how much I love him and, never, that I am proud of him. The list reads: ‘Comrade Cherkashin, working as a lineman [written as lorry telephone operator], for a short period of service, proved capable of carrying out any set task. On October 10th, 1945, he carried out his obligations as lineman. Without stint, and under enemy artillery fire, he fixed over eight damaged communication lines in just 25 minutes, providing command with continuous fighting communication. His practical actions always helped the company command successfully carry out its fighting tasks. While on duty, on January 16th, 1945, during enemy bombardment, comrade Cherkashin was wounded. I petition the Military Council of the 6th Guard Army to award Comrade Cherkashin the ‘2nd Degree Patriotic War Order’. Sadly, I have no idea under what circumstances he received the above; perhaps, it happened in hospital. Thankfully, my father’s Red Army Book remains. I wonder why he never showed it to me. His smell lingers between its pages:

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LINK OF TIMES that scent familiar since my childhood. It may be my imagination. In 1987, he received an ‘invalid certificate’ for his time in the Second World War. He was proud of the privileges he received, though he never spoke of them. However, chatting with neighbours, on a bench, he, as if accidentally, would sometimes mention certain circumstances. His invalid pension was higher than that of his contemporaries who did not fight. My mother told me once how she convinced him to wear his medals on his jacket, for a 60th

medals, given in memory of veteran Mikhail Cherkashin. On Victory Day, we talked about his uncompromising attitude towards those without honesty: thieves and timeservers. Like all of us, he had weaknesses and strengths. When he spoke, it was after consideration, and he never made empty promises. He would easily lend money, knowing others’ need and hunger. Often, he helped young musicians and newly-married couples on our street, Podgornaya.

...He worked there day and night, without sleep or rest, rendering the fastest aid to those ill and wounded. During fighting from June 20th, 1944, onwards, Comrade Cherkashin delivered 450 wounded people to the sorting platoon birthday photograph. We still have it. The photo comes out each year, on the anniversary of his birth, and on Victory Day, placed beside his fishing lamp and a lit candle. On my mother’s 90th birthday, we invited a military orchestra to play for her, evoking the memory of her husbandfront-line soldier. Maria Petrovna Cherkashina enjoyed those wartime melodies, harking back to youth. Gathering the whole family, we tell stories of his love for fishing, in the Severski Donets: the site of fierce fighting at the beginning of the war. His son and grandson are both now fishermen too, having learnt during summer holidays, with Mikhail. His love of fishing found expression in craft works, such as his making of a lamp in the shape of a boat (which includes a ‘stylised’ lantern replicating his father’s fishing lantern). For the 70th anniversary of Victory, we’ve collected all our family ‘war relics’, including the medal ‘For Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945’ and the second ‘1st Degree Order of the Great Patriotic War’ (awarded to my father, alongside many other veterans, in 1985). There are various certificates, orders and

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When Yuri, my brother-trumpeter, had his daughter, my father rode his bicycle (his favourite form of transport) to take fresh soup to his daughter-in-law, Lyuba. He liked to watch football and hockey on TV, especially international matches: a love he imparted to me. He also loved wind music. After playing at the May 1st celebrations, in Volchansk’s main square, he’d usually sit in the courtyard, under a grapevine, when it was warm, joining relatives, including my cousin Oleg, who was a pilot-navigator and son of Red Army Commander Ivan Lugovsky, who died. When my father was younger, he would cook a chicken on a campfire, alongside kasha porridge. However, he never drank more than two small glasses of vodka, even on holidays. Recently, my husband counted how many ‘direct heirs’ my father has. There are ten of us, all living, and more certainly will be born in future. We are the result of him surviving that terrible war. I can only think about our veterans of the Great Patriotic War with gratitude and will never tire of offering my thanks to my father, for Victory! I am very, very proud of you. I hope, he hears me.

 Never repeat the horrors of war 70 years have passed but bells of memory still sound

n Volozhin, after almost seven decades, remains have been unearthed of the burial of 107 civilians shot sometime around 1941-1942. Discovered by the 52nd separate specialised search battalion of the Ministry of Defence, the victims are likely to have been of the Jewish faith, as Volozhin was a centre of Jewish education. A monument erected at the crossing of Naberezhnaya and Belorusskaya streets, near the town stadium, in 1961, states that Nazis carried out shootings in the town. Now that the exact location and the number of victims is better known, a memorial plaque is planned to be unveiled on June 22nd, accompanied by a memorial ceremony for victims of genocide. The TRIPLE group of companies, which often sponsor Volozhin’s social projects, are bearing the cost. Local authorities from Volozhin District and Minsk Regional Executive Committees underline that we must do all we can to ensure that our land is never again drenched in blood. Authorities will be joined by representatives of public organisations and priests of various confessions at the unveiling.

By Valentina Cherkashina-Zhdanovich

CONTEXT

 Their strong spirit helped them survive About 17,000 Great Patriotic War veterans reside still in Belarus

 Mound of Glory revived and illuminated For the first time in its history, the majestic monument of military glory — situated at the 21st kilometre of the MinskMoscow highway — solemnly sparkles with hundreds of bright LED lamps

he Mound of Glory was thoroughly cleaned, painted and restored on the eve of the anniversary of the Great Victory, ready to welcome more guests than ever. Millions of people have visited the site over the decades, with thousands of schoolchildren, alumni, students, delegation members, tourists and newly weds visiting each month. Cadets even take their oath at the site. Over its 46 years of existence, its stairs have been damaged, as have elements of its mosaics. Meanwhile, the metal plates covering the four bayonets have been subject to graffiti. Repairs were undertaken in 2003 but were not complete in scale. Up until the last moment, around 100 people were working on the site: contractors and volunteers cleaning tiles with foam and brushes, assembling power lines for each of the 482 stairs, and painting the metal structures. Engineer Valery Laptsevich succeeded. Now aged 76, he is still capable of climbing them, recalling his calculations.

he legal status and measures of social protection for veterans are determined by various laws of the Republic of Belarus: ‘On the Status of Heroes of Belarus, Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of Socialist Labour, and the Knights of the Order of the Fatherland, Glory, and Labour Glory’; ‘On Veterans’; and ‘On State Social Benefits, Rights and Guarantees for Separate Categories of Citizens’. War veterans receive benefits for health care, provision of medicines, technical means of social rehabilitation, sanatorium-resort treatment and health improvement, provision of accommodation, housing, communal services, and home telephone, and travel on public transport. In addition, they receive benefits provided by tax, labour and pension legislation. At present, there are 39 Great Patriotic War veterans over the age of 100, and 4,500 with the USSR awards or medals for their selfless work and/or faultless military service in the rear. A further 286 people have received recognition for their work at defence facilities, and in constructing defensive structures, railways and roads. On April 1st, 2015, Belarus boasted 73 special-forces veterans who had helped clear territories after liberation from German occupation (between 1943 and 1945). Belarus is also home to more than 600 survivors of the siege of Leningrad and has 832 people who have been disabled since childhood due to injuries sustained during the Great Patriotic War or as a result of its consequences.

 Veterans still on-stream President presents state awards to distinguished people

ll sovereign countries present awards to those who have given good service to their nation but this year’s awards were particularly moving, being given on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, to representatives of veteran organisations. The atmosphere was one of a great feeling. The Palace of Independence hosted two generations of defenders of our Motherland, alongside representatives from the Ministries of Interior and Defence, and commanders of military units and special forces. In collecting their awards from the Supreme Allied Commander, veterans were accompanied by a younger military ‘son’, showing the living link between generations. Thanks were sincere to those who helped liberate and then rebuild our nation, before handing over the future to safe hands. Scientists and doctors, civil servants and teachers, farmers and artists also received state awards and honorary titles.

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Belarus — Russia

This is our Victory! For 70 years, grey-haired veterans, their children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren, have cherished the sacred memory of the Great Victory. Nobody can break the strong thread of generations, rewrite history or consign to oblivion its heroic pages. “This is our Victory,” say millions of Belarusians and Russians, “And it will always be with us!”

undreds of monuments are devoted to the unprecedented courage and heroism of Soviet soldiers and another was recently unveiled in Belarus: on the very spot where Operation Bagration began, liberating the people of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. A significant part of the funds required were allocated from the Union State budget and this is only one fragment of the great work carried out by the Permanent Committee of the Union State in connection with the 70th anniversary of our Great Patriotic War Victory. This year’s Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk traditional international festival is dedicated to the anniversary of the Victory. Meanwhile, not too long ago, journalists took a presstour of the sites on which the fiercest fighting occurred, in

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Moscow area. The Union State Secretary, Grigory Rapota, spoke to all those setting off on the motor rally dedicated to Victory Day, as they left Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow (where the Russian Museum of the Great Patriotic War History is situated) to head to the German town of Torgau, where Soviet and American troops met 70 years ago. Special attention and respect are paid to veterans of the Great Patriotic War, all of whom have been awarded commemorative medals. In Belarus, in accordance with the decree of the President, more than 44,000 veterans have received financial assistance (amounting to almost Br205bln). Local authorities check regularly on the condition of their housing and, whenever possible, help renovate their homes, as well as taking care of other household

problems. Many veterans are invited each year to the ceremonial parade, held in Minsk on May 9th and attended by about 5,000 Belarusian military personnel, presenting about 250 units of military equipment. Alongside Belarusian soldiers parade Russian troops: about 300 from the Regional Group of Forces. Meanwhile, Russian Yak-130 combat training aircraft and Su-34 bombers fly overhead. Moscow’s Red Square is also known for its magnificent military parade and the night skies not only of the capitals of Belarus and Russia but of many other cities across the Union State are emblazoned with colourful fireworks, marking the day of commemoration and celebration. The preparation for the remarkable date began well before May 9, 2015. “Almost every our event in the current year is to a certain extend filled with the theme of the memory of heroic defenders of the Motherland and the valor deeds accomplished 70 years ago”, — Grigory Rapota stated at the meeting with journalists. There are many examples thereof. So, the bicycle race held annually under slogan “Youth of Russia and Belarus is the way to future of the Union State” has already become a tradition. This time the topic of victory in the Great Patriotic War has felt specially clear. Prior to the start by the Eternal Flame in Smolensk the race participants had been read the message of State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota: “You will go along the same front roads that your fathers and grandfathers went along 70 years ago...”. During 7 days the boys and girls passed 700 kilometers across Smolensk, Bryansk, Mogilev, Vitebsk and Gomel area. Laying flowers at graves of the fallen heroes, honoring veterans will for many years remain in the memory of the young people. The bicycle race ended at the renewed Mount of Glory near Minsk. One more tradition is the Memory Train that in the current year for the seventh time has brought from Kaliningrad to Minsk and then to Moscow 450 boys and girls having distinguished themselves in the search and military-investigation activities. Together with them 50 veterans took the honorable journey. In the capital of Belarus the passengers of the Train were met by peers to jointly lay flowers at the monuments of the fallen ones. This year the event has been dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. The youth of Belarus and Russia has become the main character of many other events related to the remarkable date. On

the eve of Victory Day student associations of universities of Belarus and Russia took part in voluntary patriotic event of student teams of the Union State held under slogan “Youth builds the Union”. The labor semester was grandly opened at the Eternal Flame in memorial complex “Brest Hero-Fortress”. Approximately at the same time in Saint Petersburg at the Saint Petersburg city Palace of Youth Creativity the finals of contest of scientific and technical creativity of pupils of the Union State 'XXI Century Talents' took place, where 23 teams from Belarus and Russia participated. This event was held under the auspices of the Standing Committee of the Union State. In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory the boys and girls laid flowers at the monument to the heroes-defenders of Leningrad. Successfully passed the events of the Union State where famous people of arts, as well as young performers took place. One can name youth patriotic song competition under slogan “We do remember, we do take pride” and a number of concerts of the Belarusian-Russian youth orchestra. The Standing Committee of the Union State by all means supports this team the creative work of which is known both in Belarus and Russia, and abroad. The next concert was given by the young musicians on the Victory Day on the central square of Voronezh in the framework of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War. Works of Belarusian and Russian composers, as well as world classics were played. And of course, the focus of the program was pieces on the war and the Great Victory. The Standing Committee of the Union State hosted the meeting of representatives of the fund of memory of the Victory commanders. There attended heirs of the glory of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, Konstantin Rokossovsky and Ivan Konev. Deputy State Secretary of the Union State Ivan Bambiza emphasized the importance for our contemporaries to refer to the memory of the great military leaders. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota addressed a message to the peoples of Belarus and Russia. In it, among other things, it was said: “Thanks to our heroes who gave their all for the Victory, we make plans for the future and can peacefully think of tomorrow... We bow to the courage and steadfastness of the heroic defenders of the Motherland!”

“Thanks to our heroes who gave their all for the Victory, we make plans for the future and can peacefully think of tomorrow... We bow to the courage and steadfastness of the heroic defenders of the Motherland!”

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State Secretary Grigory Rapota is answering the journalists’ questions

Holiday for two houses Day of Unity of Peoples of Belarus and Russia strengthens business

he holiday has already become a strong Union tradition: for the 19th time, Belarusians and Russians have celebrated the Day of Unity, with solemn events, business meetings and concerts in Minsk and Moscow. Our two countries initiated Union integration in 1996 and, since then, strong and multifaceted bilateral relations have grown. What does integration give society and our ordinary citizens? Union State Secretary Grigory Rapota underlines, “After

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the collapse of the USSR and the establishment of independent states, Belarus and Russia wanted to preserve the best while finding a new form of relationship. They sought to give the opportunity to live comfortably, while contributing to the development of the economy and social sphere — health, education and the pension system. The agreement to create the Customs Union was signed, and other states later jointed.” Over time, our bilateral relations led to the signing of a treaty establishing the Union State: a noble project focusing on the social sphere and equal rights for citizens of our two countries regarding residence, study and work opportunities, as well as access to pensions and medical care. For example, the Union State agreements allow pensions to be accrued in Belarus for about 12,500 citizens of the two states, with over 900 pensions being ‘exported’ to Russia. Meanwhile, 18,250 citizens of the Russian Federation receive their pensions in Belarus. Equal access to education has resulted in over 14,000 Belarusians being educated at Russian universities, while over 1,000 Russians receive higher education in Belarus: of these, about 300 are funded from the Belarusian budget. In 2014, Union State funds paid for 1,500 schoolchildren from our two countries to stay at the best health resorts across Belarus and Russia, with a similar number being funded in 2015. Foreign policy and military-technical co-operation are also being effectively implemented, as are projects to integrate transport and the scientific-technical sphere. Of course, there are obstacles to be solved, as the Union State Secretary admits. The heads of the Belarusian and Russian governments meet regularly to discuss how best to integrate key industrial projects, such as: Minsk and Kama Automobile Plants; Belarusian Integral and Ruselectronics; and Grodno’s Azot and Russian EuroChem. Evaluations have been conducted and issues relating to the structure of new joint multinational enterprises have been solved, with both sides ready for integration. Transition to a common industrial policy is no less urgent and relies upon equal conditions for industrial and other enterprises across our two countries. Currently, the legislation of Belarus and Russia lacks unity, presenting problems for the legal status of entities created as a result of Union State activity. Scientific and technical programmes are vital to economic and scientific-technical integration, with the lion’s share of the Union State budget spent on their financing. Ten projects of such a kind are being conducted but Mr. Rapota is keen to see more. He hopes to witness no fewer than 20 joint projects. The Council of Ministers of the Union State is finally approving new research projects and signing off on the execution of those past. By Vladimir Yakovlev

or several years, trade between Belarus and Russia has been reaching about $40bln annually. Belarus is among Russia’s top five trading partners, while Russia is, traditionally, Belarus’ major trading partner. Production co-operation is gaining momentum, alongside innovation collaboration. This is primarily the result of interaction at regional level and the introduction of new forms of joint work. Agreements on cooperation tie Belarus with most Russian Federation regions; Minsk is receiving official delegations from 10-15 Russian regions annually. Since the beginning of this year, such business contacts have grown rapidly.

their Master’s degree at this institution. Educational programmes, textbooks and learning and teaching aids are being jointly developed, with electronic educational resources exchanged. In 2014, during the summer holidays, a joint Belarusian-Russian student brigade worked at the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power station, and is set to do so again this year. The Belarusian Education Ministry recently sent a delegation to the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University, touring their research facilities, as well as the nuclear power

Regions seeks new forms of co-operation across various spheres

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Directing engines of success Targeting innovations Belarus and Nizhny Novgorod Region have been conducting joint ventures within our shared Belarusian-Russian scientific-educational space. A clear example is the joint construction of Belarus’ first nuclear power station. Various components for the site are being produced in Nizhny Novgorod Region, while the general contractor is Nizhny Novgorod’s NIAEP-ASE. Recently, Minsk hosted a delegation headed by the Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Valery Shantsev, who mentioned the joint training of specialists, for the nuclear power station’s construction and operation. Future nuclear experts are being trained at the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU) and, in line with an inter-university agreement on co-operation, students are undertaking their pre-graduation internship at nuclear power engineering institutions and organisations in Nizhny Novgorod Region. They also undertake internships at the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University’s Atomic Power Station Department (the ‘alma mater’ for nuclear power sites in Russia). The best BNTU graduates continue

centre and base chair at the NIAEP. The visit resulted in the signing of a plan of co-operation for the period until 2020: including the publishing of a manual in Belarus on the main equipment used at nuclear power stations with ‘fast neutron’ reactors. Meanwhile, three groups of Nizhny Novgorod Region specialists (in such technical spheres as radioelectronics) have been attending BNTU’s Institute for Staff Training and Retraining. Teachers from our two universities often share expertise. The Deputy State Secretary of the Union State, Alexey Kubrin, praises their liaisons, saying, “For the past three years, Union State technological university forums have been organised at the BNTU, with the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University taking an active role. Alongside interaction in the sphere of nuclear power, we’re extending our interaction in developing IT and material sci-

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ence. This will help form a common technological and scientific space for a wide range of Belarusian and Russian universities, through their technological profile and beyond.” Negotiations held in Minsk during the recent visit by the Nizhny Novgorod delegation prove this to be true. The guests gained familiarity with opportunities at several leading Belarusian universities, while the education ministers of Belarus and of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Mikhail Zhuravkov and Sergey Naumov, discussed prospects for expanding co-operation. In particular, they agreed to work together to extend professional education: an acute issue in Russia. Resource centres at lyceums are teaching ne w te ch nol o g i e s across various specialities, with the first such centre opening in Belarus a decade ago: around 20 now exist in Nizh ny Novgorod Region alone. Agreements have been signed to promote collaboration: shared educational expertise and exchange of s tu d e nt s ( i n c lu d i ng post-graduates).

Transport unites Delegations from Chuvashia are also frequent guests to Belarus. The head of this Russian Republic, Mikhail Ignatiev, visited Minsk as Agriculture Minister and recently arrived again with a vast business programme. The major goal is to ensure positive dynamics for mutual trade-economic relations. Over the last three years, Belarus-Chuvashia trade turnover has increased 2.5-fold and, as Mr. Ignatiev told the President Lukashenko, “Chuvashia views Belarus as a reliable and beneficial partner.” “We’re keen to see our relations develop across the scitech and agro-industrial spheres,” he added. “Developing our points of coincidence is vital to driving forward our

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enterprises in the industrial branches, via horizontal ties. We should be able to double or triple our trade turnover, enabling our entrepreneurs to liaise on a mutually beneficial basis and create high-performance and well-paid jobs.” Mr. Lukashenko agreed, noting that co-operation in the sphere of passenger transport is also promising. The guests toured bus production lines at Minsk Automobile Works and discussion in this vein continued during Mr. Ignatiev’s meeting with Belarus’ Prime Minister, Andrei Kobyakov. The latter spoke in favour of supplying Belarus-made agricultural, communal and transport machinery, as well as developing industrial ties of co-operation. Cheboksary — the capital of Chuvashia — is famous as a scientific-industrial centre of Russia. Liaisons could be arranged in the manufacture of automobile components, perhaps through the Automotive Comopnents Holding in Belarus, since corresponding industrial enterprises are located in Chuvashia. In April 2015, 15 new Minsk-made low-floored buses were added to the Rostov-on-Don fleet. City administration head Sergey Gorban stresses, “The quality of these buses meets those required for our city’s preparation for hosting the 2018 Football World Championship. In July 2015, another batch of Minsk vehicles will be delivered to Rostov and, in total, the city plans to acquire 300 low-floored buses of large capacity. Minsk Automobile Plant boasts great opportunities in this respect.”

Ground for joint enterprises Like Belarus, Chelyabinsk Region boasts well-developed machine building, making this a point for interaction. Assembly of components for BelAZ heavy-duty dump trucks, MTZ tractors and Belarusian agricultural machinery is to be organised in Chelyabinsk Region using Belarusian technical drawings. Negotiations between the Governor of Chelyabinsk Region, Boris Dubrovsky, and the President of Belarus, Mr. Lukashenko, have outlined several promising areas for co-operation, including machine tool building, the agrarian sector and construction. Heads of Belarusian enterprises are soon to meet with Chelyabinsk representatives to discuss details. Minsk Machine Tool Plant (named after the October Revolution) hopes to work with Chelyabinsk’s machine-tool cluster. “We appreciate the large-scale opportunities of Belarusian machine building and machine tool technology,” notes Mr. Dubrovsky, also suggesting a joint enterprise to produce and process milk. These and many other proposals are included in the plan of trade-economic and sci-tech co-operation signed by Belarus and Chelyabinsk Region for 2015-2017, in Minsk. By Piotr Vasiliev

he recent session of the Union State Supreme State Council, in Moscow, was a landmark event, involving the Chairman of the Supreme State Council, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting’s high status was confirmed by its focus on priority areas and midterm development tasks, alongside mutual understanding of the need to further develop the Union State and its prospects. Mr. Lukashenko stressed, “We’ve advanced so greatly that it would be inexcusable, on behalf of our people, to lose our pace of growth.”

A plan of action to strengthen trade-economic co-operation is also vital and has come under repeated discussion, considered primarily and then receiving approval from heads of government. The plan is being used to guide priorities for the Union State development, adopted by the Supreme State Council for the period until 2017. Its core comprises foreign policy, the formation of a single sci-tech space, the development of the agro-industrial complex, the creation of a single migration space and common labour market, and provision of social protection for our two states’ citizens.

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Supreme State Council determines priority areas for Union State development Over the past two years, mutual turnover between Belarus and Russia has slightly fallen since the peak of 2012 (largely because of the unfavourable foreign economic situation). There is also a misbalance in our economies and some barriers to a single industrial policy and common market. The Supreme State Council session looked at measures to overcome these problems, including budgetary issues and the need to take into account recommendations made by the control bodies of our two states. The approved Union State budget for 2015 amounts to almost 5bln Russian Roubles. Despite the difficult economic situation, it has been slightly increased, with 85 percent being dedicated to financing 36 joint Belarusian-Russian programmes, covering power engineering, construction, transport and agriculture. Those controlling such programmes are to be given enhanced responsibility, with Union State budgetary policy becoming more flexible and efficient, to allow resources to be directed towards priority areas.

Definite steps have been taken, with four bilateral documents signed, tackling the interests of citizens of Belarus and Russia. These include: an agreement on mutual implementation of court rulings regarding child support payments; an agreement on mutual recognition and implementation of resolutions on the denial of entry to Union State countries; an agreement on the exchange of information on citizens of Belarus and Russia not permitted to leave the country; and a protocol amending the agreement on free choice regarding place of residence within the Union State, for citizens of Belarus and Russia. Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Putin summed up the results of foreign policy for 2014-2015 and outlined future prospects, agreeing to continue towards a single visa space for Belarus and Russia. With this aim, there are plans to prepare an agreement on mutual recognition of visas for foreign citizens. By Vladimir Fiodorov

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Chernobyl: zone of special care The Union State programmes are an effective tool in overcoming consequences of Chernobyl nuclear power station catastrophe

he efforts of Belarus and Russia in tackling the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy have been both wide-ranging and complex, finding recent formulation in three Union programmes, with a total cost of 2.5 Bln. Russian Roubles. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the terrible catastrophe and will see a fourth joint programme launch, helping develop affected territories. From the construction of medical institutions equipped wit the latest devices, to the introduction of unique treatments, our two states have been devoting time and resources to this enduring problem. Apart from working to protect the public from radiation, our governments have been seeking new paths to allow safe farming of ‘Chernobyl’ territories. New information centres have launched, to teach the public about protecting themselves and to show how far we have come in combating the dangers; a Russian-Belarusian Internet site is also working hard to make people more aware of the realities.

Investments into health Nikolay Tsybulko, of the Emergency Situations Ministry of Belarus, is the Deputy Head of the Department for Tackling the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station

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Catastrophe. Regarding the fourth Union programme, he tells us, “While the first two programmes provided capital investments into major sites, the latest have been mostly directed towards scientific research and innovative projects. The fourth programme continues projects begun last year.” In addition, it tackles four key areas, including the development of new medical technologies for affected areas. Last year, six projects were launched by scientific organisations under the Ministry of Health of Belarus. One aims to introduce new medical technologies to the spheres of cardiology, oncology, paediatrics and obstetrics. Scientists and physicians in Russia are tackling the same realm. A uniform Chernobyl register for Russia and Belarus was created during the second joint programme and is being continuously updated, to include all those suffering as a result of the catastrophe, directly or indirectly, through radiation poisoning. Belarus now has 13 children’s health-care centres, which welcome nearly 100,000 children annually. Sadly, facilities had failed to be updated for some time but, last year, Union budget funds were allocated for the re-equipment of nine centres. In 2014, more than 20 medical devices were purchased, alongside four buses for the centres. Such work will continue throughout 2015.

Food safety

To know and to remember

Mr. Tsybulko tells us that the second stage of the programme concerns a unified system of radiation protection for affected territories, including farming methods to ensure safe food production and increased management efficiency, as well as updated systems of monitoring radioactive pollution. Last year, 77 devices were purchased, including dosimeters, radiometers and spectrometers, for use by Belarus’ Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Belkoopsoyuz). The state ‘Chernobyl’ programme has also helped fund purchases, since public safety is of primary concern to the Belarusian Government. However, there is not enough money to meet all demands, so the help of the Union State budget is essential. Work continues on creating a uniform catalogue of doses of radiation endured by the populations of Russia and Belarus, showing ‘safe’ levels for human health and for agricultural soil, as well as for raw materials and forage.

The fourth direction of the programme aims to work with children and young people, helping them develop skills to live safely in radionuclide polluted territories. The cornerstone of this initiative is the creation of a Russian-Belarusian Internet portal detailing how to tackle living with the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe. A pilot version of the site launched in mid-April, created by the Belarusian Department of the Russian-Belarusian Information Centre on the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station Catastrophe. The site aims to promote safe public practices in dealing with radiation, based upon the joint experience of our two countries in dealing with the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe. Databases, archival data, training and developmental programmes, as well as events and information products are available on the site. E x p e r t s are ke e n t o c on tinue joint Belarusian-Russian projects after 2016, explains Mr. Tsybulko. The development of a 5th ‘Chernobyl’ programme has been discussed by the Union State Standing Committee, and by the Parliamentary Assembly Commission of the Union of Belarus and Russia: concerning ecology, nature management and dealing with the consequences of catastrophes. All agree that a new programme is needed. Detailed discussion is scheduled for October 14-16th, at the Parliamentary Assembly Commission (in this year of the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe).

Science against caesium

The question on organizing high-technology medical care to citizens of Belarus and Russia, who have suffered from the consequences on the Chernobyl nuclear power station catastrophe, is worked through in the Union State

The fourth joint programme includes a new section detailing the most polluted territories of Belarus and Russia, named as ‘zones of alienation and resettlement’. Belarus has 216,000 hectares in Polesie’s state radiation-ecological reserve and 240,000 of resettlement zone, which are no longer used for farming. Mr Tsybulko notes that, as three decades have almost passed, new approaches are needed. He explains, “We are developing a concept for managing resettled territories, with scientists being encouraged to offer a new approach. These territories are closed and governed by checkpoint security, to prevent fires and entry by the public. However, now that almost three decades have passed since the catastrophe, radionuclides are weaker, reducing pollution levels. We need to carry out radiological investigations of 50,000 hectares of land currently out of agricultural use. Polesie’s 216,000 hectares remain a reserved zone, with known approaches. Neighbouring Ukraine is already starting to adopt our experience in managing its alienated territories, creating a similar reserve.”

By Lilia Khlystun

 The fourth joint programme to tackle the

consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe was approved by the Union State Council of Ministers in December 2013, at the cost of 1,302.6 million Russian Roubles. About 521 million was allocated to Belarus for three years, while more than 781 million went to Russia. In 2014, 268 million Russian Roubles were allocated for the realisation of programme actions.

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Alexander Ruzhechka

MEDIA-FORUM

Eloquence of straightforward words Minsk hosts the 19 th International Mass Media in Belarus Specialised Exhibition, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Victory

he exhibition’s strong theme was evident everywhere, and most poignantly in the symbolic flowers worn proudly by visitors. All those wishing could write messages to veterans at the stand organised by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency: ‘Proskynesis to You, Veterans’. A childish hand had written such words as: ‘Thank you very much for protecting our land!’ Meanwhile, the 70 Years — 70 Faces photo project, on Gomel Region’s stand, presented the wise expressions of those who brought us Victory.

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During the solemn opening ceremony, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Igor Buzovsky, read the President’s greeting. It stated that the event was both bright and significant in the life of the media community. Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Kochanova underlined, “It’s vital that every citizen preserves not only the memory of our war heroes, but gratitude towards the older generation. They should do all they can to prevent repetition of such events.” Belarus’ Information Minister, Lilia Ananich, commented, “The motto of the exhibition is ‘Words in the Service of

Peace and Creation’. In those years of the most difficult suffering, when partisan Belarus fought Fascism, words forged victory. Underground and partisan brigades released a total of 162 newspapers.” The exhibition has long become an international event, featuring guests from Russia, the CIS, China, Venezuela, Cuba and elsewhere. Although the current forum is dedicated to the Press Day, the electronic media is presenting its achievements on an equal footing with printed editions. It’s a wonderful opportunity for journalists, editors and creators of the Internet portals to share experience and expertise, learning something new from our ever-changing information space. Each year brings new technologies, especially in the field of information, influencing mass consciousness and public opinion. Discussions at the exhibition included how to tackle new types of content, how to best use new information transfer channels, and the stylistic trends of online journalism. Of course, the major topic was the accurate coverage of the Great Patriotic War events, under the motto ‘No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten’. Information Minister Lilia Ananich believes that the forum is a landmark event. She announced, “The forum brings together over 400 printed media and TV channels from various countries. The exhibition has shown how dynamically the media is developing in Belarus; of the 1,573 printed editions registered, fewer than 27 percent belong to the state. Regional television is expanding, with non-state TV channels appearing.” Ms. Ananich emphasised that Belarusian people tend to have more trust in the national media than in their counterparts abroad. In this respect, she asserts that there is a duty to ensure that news stories are of the highest integrity and accuracy. As is traditional, the forum ended with the Zolotaya Litera (golden letter) awards: a photographic contest involving over 500 photographers. By Boris Svetlov

EXHIBITION

The exclusive exhibition was last held in Minsk twelve years ago, it being far from easy to gather together a great many scale models of various performances, cinema and television programmes. It requires big organisational and time expenditures. Artists and stage designers never have enough time to spend it for the creative promotion in the form of an exhibition, being daily devoted to their creative public duties. Moreover, transporting exhibits is a challenge, as is their assembly. Other reasons may also exist, so such projects aren’t held often. Nevertheless, 29 people participated in the Republican exhibition this year: an im-

pressive number. Alla Sorokina, Head Artist of the National Academic Drama Theatre named after Maxim Gorky, and curator of the vernisage, was delighted by the response. The opening began with official speeches which tackled such talents as Irina Demina, the author of the Different I exhibition of wooden scarecrows. Dressed in leather cloaks, they are sewn as if hastily, using multi-coloured threads and various leather pieces; they conjure a strange response, inspiring us to reflect on our perception of our own nature and how others see us. Though our big need is the desire to learn about ourselves through others’ opinion, personal self-esteem is also very important. Meanwhile, it often happens that it doesn’t coincide with other people’s opinions, so the artist has invented ‘polar’ costumes for her creations. While

Labyrinth-2 artistic exhibition opens at Republican exhibition gallery, inside the Palace of Arts. The project was launched last year by the painting section of the Belarusian Union of Artists, enabling our theatre set designers and animators to present their best works to a wide public, and showing behind-the-scenes set creation for theatrical performances and films.

Magic from box 44

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EXHIBITION the front of each scarecrow is smartly presented, the back is torn and gloomy, in symbolic fashion. I was deeply impressed by this approach. At once, we realise that many wear masks of external well-being to hide their sorrow, anger or anxiety. She explains, “Your social status is unimportant. Even while ‘frightening off crows’ you may remain internally happy.” It’s difficult to argue with this assumption. Taras Porozhnyak, an Honoured Figure of Arts of Belarus and the most honourable member of the Union of Art-

Ms. Sorokina notes that our set designers show their worth with dignity on the international stage, glorifying the domestic art school abroad. She mentions Lyudmila Skitovich, who designed the set for

Yekaterina Shimanovich, a third year student at the Department of Decoration and Theatrical Painting, at the Academy of Arts, a future set designer

ists of B elarus, has headed the department of ceramics and glass at Minsk’s Theatre and Art Institute (now, the Academy of Arts) for 30 years. Despite being aged 95, he remains full of determination and irrepressible creative energy. He finished his speech by declaring his love for young people, as if defying the ‘protocol’ of reserve on such occasions. As he spoke, the hall was lit suddenly by a bright beam of sunlight through the window: an unexpected moment which received great applause. In other exhibition hall, theatrical scale models are on show, entitled Scale 1:25. Leonid Khobotov, the Deputy Chairman for Exhibition Activity, reminds us that only a fine line exists between monumental art and painting and that of film and theatre. Using modern technologies, the possibilities are truly exciting, with digital animation now leading the way, conquering paths thought impossible a decade ago.

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the Magdeburg Puppet Theatre’s Snow Queen (Germany), which remains in the theatre’s repertoire. Most set designers work away from the public eye, without much ‘recognition’ yet their work is vital to the reputation of a theatre and the enjoyment of a performance. We can hardly imagine the level of stage design in the country’s theatres, so the value of such exhibitions as Labirynth2 is very high, allowing us to see the details of the performances so loved today in the theatres of Belarus. Yekaterina Shimanovich, who created one of the scale models, is a third year student at the Department of Decoration and Theatrical Painting, at the Academy of Arts. Three years ago, Katya won the 7th CIS Open Youth Delphic Games, under the Energy of Youth programme, in Astana. She is pleased to recollect how she has been awarded a gold medal while showing me her models. Examining them, I ask her how she created her metal cockroaches for Guests and she describes the soldering process,

EXHIBITION which enabled her to bend their short ‘moustaches’. It would have never occurred to me how much skill and talent is involved! Katya has studied under Professor Boris Gerlovan, the famous set designer of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre. The Honoured Figure of Arts of Belarus has taught five generations of artists, leaving a whole constellation of professionals behind him. Among them are names well-known both at home and abroad, including the ‘next generation’, such as Katya. She speaks of Prof. Gerlovan with delight, believing him to be her driving influence. Her dearest wish is to work in theatre or cinema and it seems likely that her plans will see fruition, since she is already making a name for herself. After congratulating the authors of the exhibits, guests at the launch dispersed to examine all that is on show, and a pleasant atmosphere reigned, punctuated by exclamations of delight and the murmur of discussion. It was extremely interesting to watch the visitors: some silently exulted, while others expressed their emotions more vocally and asked authors questions.

Do we need scenery? Set designers work jointly with producers to ensure that every performance is of a high standard. As soon as the curtain rises, audiences’ first impression is formed from the appearance of the stage: before they see actors or hear the early strains of music. If no curtain is present, they have even longer to absorb the atmosphere created by the set. What if there’re no decorations on the stage? Of course, some directors prefer a bare stage, with nothing to distract attention from the actors’ performance. Kiev’s Theatre Without Scenery is a case in point. I’m aware that the so called ‘black square’, when spectators see the bare stage, doesn’t go out of fashion either. Meanwhile, there’re so many opportunities for stage decoration today: contemporary new technologies which are rapidly developing and different plastic materials, which are successfully used to replace bulky wood and metal, making set changes easier. For example, the set for Rimsky-Korsakov’s Tsar’s Bride by the Head Artist of the Bolshoi Theatre, Alexander Kostyuchenko, used light-weight and ultra-modern plastic to create Ivan the Terrible’s towers, although they appeared to be made of heavy timber. Mixing genres is currently in vogue, and ‘tricks’ with fire, water and light are popular but simple choices can be effective, with actors wearing ‘everyday’ costumes. A few years ago, the Russian Academic Youth Theatre impressed spectators with its experimental staging for children: Rudyard Kipling’s The Cat Who Walked By Himself, directed by Norwegian Sigrid Strøm Reibo. Youngsters were invited to share their ideas on how the actors should behave on stage. The cast sat on a rug, with no props other than a blanket and five small lamps. Nevertheless, the staging was nominated

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EXHIBITION for a Golden Mask Award in 2011. Few would argue against helping audiences feel more involved, aiding their connection with modern theatre. Belarusian Dmitry Bogoslovsky’s Quiet Rustle of Leaving Steps, at the Belarusian Drama Theatre in Minsk, is another show to have used minimal staging. Produced by Alena Igrusha, a laureate of the First National Theatre Award, used no more than a plate-glass window, a bench and a few chairs. In some cases, simple staging can lend more depth. In contrast, Alexander Kostyuchenko’s elaborate set for Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, at the National Academic Drama Theatre named after Maxim Gorky (usually called the Russian Theatre) is infinitely fitting. Katarina, played by Veronika Plyashkevich, transforms the stage with her dress alone: an ocean of scarlet, created by costumiers Tatiana Lisavenko and Nina Gurlo. The vivacious use of bright colours embodies the power of human passions. Regardless of whether the theatrical stage is empty or full with artistic devices, the quality of the performance always carries the day: its ability to touch our soul. As long as the set manages to intrigue us, all is well. In this case it would be appropriate to repeat the commonly known fact which also suits decorations in theatres: all styles are good except for boring.

Finding sense in miniature representations Watching visitors to the exhibition, it’s clear that some exhibits inspire people to stand long, in contemplation, and to return for a second look. It can be surprising how certain images conjure our thought-processes. Here I see an apple: such as that found in the Garden of Eden. Upon its skin run insects unpleasant in appearance. Why did the artist place them there? I don’t want to leave the exhibit. In thinking of the ‘Fall’, I turn to contemplating the nature of good and evil, errors and their correction. Another picture depicts a person running on a red circle, between sky and earth, forever returning to where they began: all in life comes full circle. The theatrical models are captured scenes, containing a fragment of life in their metre square box. I am a guest from another world, which makes me feel almost all-powerful. The scale of their problems is visible to me, so that I can view with omnipotence. Perhaps, the Almighty also quietly laughs, observing our small tragedies in which we often see a true catastrophe? It seems to me that this unobtrusive, silent art form has the power to make us feel wiser and, even, happier. At least it has this influence over me. I have seen different sides of human life expressed within these models and leave the exhibition saturated in quiet spiritual pleasure. I hope that this state of mind will never leave me. By Alisa Krasovskaya

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ACTORS AND ROLES

Honoured Artist of Belarus Oksana Lesnaya, an actress at the Maxim Gorky National Academic Drama Theatre, celebrates her birthday by speculating on the importance of true acting partners in film-making and theatre staging

At the creative swing

ksana Lesnaya was playing in Noel Coward’s Private Lives, directed by Valentina Yerenkova, on her birthday. Speaking of why she chose this performance — rather than Tricks of Khanuma, by Avksenty Tsagareli, in which she shines as Kobato, who is a worthy rival to Khanuma (played by People’s Artist Olga Klebanovich) — she says, “Everything is simple. Private Lives is a light-hearted show, loved by audiences. Moreover, it’s short! With this in mind, I decided not to make my friends, relatives and colleagues wait too long for me after the show, to share their congratulations.” Ms. Lesnaya is a talented actress who can hardly be ignored; she can perform all sorts of roles, having stage magnetism and charm. She draws everyone to her. I first noticed Ksyusha (as she is called by friends) at the Youth Theatre. She was playing the Butterfly in Thumbelina, carrying Thumbelina on a leaf. She was a wonderful, expressive butterfly, wearing shoes two sizes too large, which kept slipping from her feet, to the audience’s amusement. However, I was struck by something else: Butterfly Lesnaya was both lyrical and distinguished simultaneously.

Her charm and humorous expressions couldn’t help but evoke laughter. Moreover, Oksana was irresistibly feminine. I remember thinking that it wouldn’t be long before she’d move on from the Youth Theatre, and I was right. Ms. Lesnaya has been performing with the Russian Theatre since 1991, taking dozens of roles: Yevlampia in Ostrovsky’s Wolves and Sheep; Leda, the Queen of Sparta in Amphitryon (based on Greek mythology); Inken Peters in Before the Sunset, by Gerhart Hauptmann; Anna in Maxim Gorky’s Vassa; Nastasia Petrovna in Uncle’s Dream, by Fiodor Dostoevsky; and many other. In addition, she has taken various film roles. In 2011 (Belarus magazine, #10), I wrote about Oksana diverse repertoire of roles, describing her as ‘a tightrope walker, teetering on the brink that separates one character from another’. I declared that she can, by turns, appear ‘unapproachable and proud or extremely tender and feminine’. I noted her power to be a vamp, a businesswoman, a beauty or a poetic, romantic villager, as in Zoska based on Yanka Kupala’s Broken Nest. Speaking of her acting partner, she told me, “When performing Maryla, I was crying as I looked at Zoska-Lesnaya. I had the impression that Ksyusha was floating across the stage, being tragic and beyond tragedy at the same time.”

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ACTORS AND ROLES I feel the same today. Oksana seems to soar over the usual scope of a role, expanding its limitations, giving the lyrical a touch of comedy, so that it’s hard to know whether to cry or laugh. Her stage emotions change as quickly as they do in children. Her face is very impressive in such moments, with her inner world bared to all. She inspires a range of emotions in her audience and her characters stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre. Her Amanda Prynne in Private Lives is wonderful, displaying the usual diversity of mood and alternating rhythms. Her beautiful voice, facial expressions and graceful movements are a joy to behold. After the show, she received a welcome address from the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, in addition to flowers. She was surrounded by smiling faces — of her mother and step-father, son and husband, friends, colleagues and her fans. The atmosphere was comfortable and warm, as is usual for the Russian Theatre. Moreover, the theatre is known for organising birthday parties for its actors, after a performance. At the celebrations, I asked Oksana what she’d like to share with us and she chose to talk about her acting partners. She began, “I love my life and life in general. I love people and my acting profession. I like knowing that there’s still so much to learn; for example, I’m studying the role of Olivia in Twelfth Night, reading the script. I admire the accuracy of Igor Skripka’s translation. He has been guided by the comical nuances of the characters, keeping their expressive speeches.” She admits, “I’m so pleased that Sergey Kovalchik, the theatre’s Artistic Director, has chosen me for this role. However, I don’t yet know what direction this ‘vessel’ is being guided upon by its ‘captain’. Shakespeare’s work is genius but resembles a modern Brazilian soap opera, about twins, or an Indian movie about Zita and Gita. We have to allow the theme to reign, although sets and costumes are important. Probably, we’ll premiere in July, opening the new theatrical season. Sergey Chekeres is playing Duke Orsino, having also been my partner in Intimate Comedy.” She continues, stressing the importance of a good acting partner and the degree to which you rely upon each other on stage. “You may try to move along your own path but, if your partner doesn’t want to go with you in a particular direction, the performance will break down. On stage, if actors move in different directions,

the emotional component of the play and its atmosphere are lost: ‘spat into eternity’ as Faina Ranevskaya used to say about photos. I wouldn’t enjoy acting in this way, or watching such a performance. I want to respond to my acting partner. Of course, they have their own character, but also play their role a little differently each day, depending on their mood, or degree of fatigue. I must take this into account, paying attention to what I see and feel. Either, I need to support them more, if they are tired, or shift my own performance, so that their tiredness appears justified. Otherwise, the acting can appear ‘mechanical’: simply reciting text.” She asserts that we have to believe in the characters, gradually building a relationship with the audience through small gestures and speeches, as in the real life. We want to see a character transform through the performance as they learn something about themself. “I like it when my partners make me change,” she explains. “In Wolves and Sheep, I partnered Rostislav Yankovsky and Vladimir Shelestov, who did this for me. Mr. Shelestov played Berkutov — a businessman and a thoughtful representative of the emerging merchant class, who courted my Yevlampia. I can’t even imagine anyone else playing opposite me. Volodya is a wonderful partner. As for Rostislav Yankovsky, I partnered him in Gerhard Hauptmann’s Before Sunset, Bernard Shaw’s Simpleton from Unexpected Islands and other shows. Each time, he was different.” She continues, “The duty of an actor, in my opinion, is to love his partners, regardless of their condition or appearance. They might be sick and be on stage with a high temperature, so that they can’t act as they would usually. In this situation, you’re obliged to help. If they can’t demonstrate all their skills for some reason, then you take on part of their ‘burden’, taking on more of the emotional journey yourself. This is the style of partnership which enriches me. True partners are communicating vessels. You pour into one but both are filled equally. This principle is vital among stage actors. If actors ignore it, nothing good can happen. We take this approach sometimes with novices, when they have to take the lead and speak a significant monologue. The more experienced actor helps engage with them, so that they don’t feel overwhelmed. However, they can

Oksana Lesnaya, like a tightrope walker, teeters on the brink that separates one character from another

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ACTORS AND ROLES also punish young actors by talking quietly behind them, causing the novice to look back. It’s a particular teaching method.” “All my acting partners have been mostly responsible. I remember once flying back from shooting in Khanty-Mansiysk, where it was minus twenty degrees. Back home, we had twelve degrees above zero and, probably due to this difference in temperatures, something happened to my voice. I was unable to speak during the day but, after an injection in the evening, I recovered. However, my ‘new’ voice was much deeper. I had to cry in the performance, which was full of love, blood and hot passion. It was impossible for me to perform with that voice. I was acting opposite Sergey Zhuravel, who took over responsibility for all the emotional scenes. It was a great part of my job.” Oksana tells us, “I was taught lessons in partnership at the Russian Theatre: by Rostislav Yankovsky and Alexandra Klimova. I was told, gently, that, as soon as a scene starts to fail, the audience stops listening. Rather than trying to seize the hall as your ally, you have to draw closer to your partner. This will bring the audience back to you, being eager to see what’s happening between these two people. If two people are interested in each other, the audience becomes interested in them as well.” Anna Malankina (Ninochka) and Sergey Chekeres (Leon) play with Oksana in Melchior Lengyel’s Ninochka. She plays Duchess Ksenia, who loses her lover, Leon, to Ninochka. Oksana explains, “In the final scene, I offer Anna money and family jewels on the condition that she leaves without telling Leon. Essentially, Ksenia buys Leon but Ninochka agrees in the belief that, as a Bolshevik, she will be able to regain his heart at some later time. Every performance, this scene haunts me. It can subtle and lyrical, with Anna-Ninochka dissolving in love, suffering yet forced to accept my suggestion. At other times, she appears as a tough Bolshevik, choosing money over love. It depends on how the show is played from the beginning up until this scene.” Oksana admits that actors sometimes surprise their directors in rehearsals, discovering new subtleties hardly prescribed in the play and creating a completely different atmosphere. “I felt this in Patrick Marber’s Touch, which is about lost love and confusion. We played the scene with desperate grief for our loss and shouted dreadful words at each other. The audience would fall completely silent, truly taking on board our characters’ despair. They understood that it’s sometimes impossible not to swear terribly, because there is too much pain. When an actor becomes experienced, he grows through his partner. If he proceeds alone, it’s like an instrument out of tune with the others,” she tells us. “I’m currently enjoying partnering experienced Olga Klebanovich in Tricks of Khanuma. We have a fight scene in which we circle each other. At first, I was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to move quickly enough, removing her bag and coat, and that the audience would lose interest but there was no need for me to worry. Olga always manages to meet her mark. She is one of those partners who get under your skin. You are separate individuals but she has the power to command you, drawing

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ACTORS AND ROLES you out. With Olga, I feel free to act in different ways, because she always picks up the baton, stretching her line, enriching it and aiding me. It’s like playing doubles tennis. It’s the same sort of partnership, whereby one supports the other. We hear each other, listening not to ourselves but to those around us.” Speaking of partnership, Oksana’s Evening of Jewish Jokes has become an exemplary performance, hosted on the Yanka Kupala Theatre’s small stage, where actors share space more intimately. She notes that even the smallest technical errors cannot be hidden, requiring the cast to support one another more than ever. Office is another performance relying on the actors working closely, as is Wedding. Oksana praises the cast’s ability to work in harmony, without anyone trying to steal the limelight. She likens the partnership on stage and in film, noting that a good cinema partner stays around until all your scenes are finished. She recalls filming with Vladimir Steklov, playing a museum worker who was consulting Mr. Steklov’s character on the discovery of a crucifix. She tells us, “I had a long and boring monologue about the exhibit. Mr. Steklov, sitting behind the camera, listened to me carefully and — to revitalise my boring face — began grimacing. As a result, a certain element of coquetry appeared not envisaged by the script. I began to come alive. He treated me as a woman rather than as a museum employee. If he’d just gone, I’d have been talking to the camera alone. The greater the actors are, the more professional they are, always remaining such while their partners continue filming.” Performances usually remain ‘alive’ for a certain period of time, a year or two, before they grow tired. The play becomes routine, losing its sparkle. If it is to continue, it needs to be stirred up. It’s a real challenge. Oksana reveals, “When I began acting in Before the Sunset, Rostislav Yankovsky and I decided to play a game, giving each other chocolate before each show, as a gesture of ‘good luck’. We had to keep thinking of ‘new’ varieties of chocolate, which was inspiring (and entertained us). We knew that our boats would rise or fall together and that we needed to keep fuelling each other. It’s lovely to arrive at the theatre and see the confectionary that your partner has left for you. You enter the stage in a certain mood. I appreciate such ‘behind the scenes’ relationships very much.” Oksana compares her relationship with her theatre colleagues, in terms of her feelings, as being akin to that with her family. “If I quarrel with one of my relatives, they don’t stop being part of my family. Deep inside, I still treat them warmly as I understand that they have the same professional challenges as I do and that they have the right to make mistakes. I’m no saint but my inner sense of kinship with colleagues allows me to ignore some moments, accepting them as they are. We are equal, despite titles or regalia. When we remove these, we are all simple people, with our own fates, but perfectly pleasant. I prefer to put any negative feelings away in my pocket, with the hope that there is a hole through which they’ll be lost. My positive feelings go into another pocket, for safekeeping.” By Valentina Zhdanovich

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VERNISSAGE

Emotional look at war and Victory! Art exhibitions dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Victory among the most prominent cultural events countrywide

ictory! 70 is, w it h out e x a g geration, an ambitious and grandiose exhibition project. Perhaps, not even old timers re me mb e r w he n Mi nsk’s Palace of Arts was last wholly given over to an exhibition! Being so rich in high artistic diversity, no less would be honourable, as the Belarusian Union of Artists would agree. The exhibition features 150 artists from across the country, with over 400 paintings, graphic works, sculpture and decorative arts pieces on show. Significantly, the exhibition brings together representatives of several generations: the youngest participant is just 20; the oldest is almost 100! Works by famous Belarusian Great Patriotic War veterans Victor Gromyko and Leonid Shchemelev are among those exhibited, alongside masterpieces by veterans no longer with us; their works are their legacy.

Artists’ alliance with war is rarely easy, since it is never simple to portray the reality of history while retaining an artist’s eye. If the truth is lost, then the value of the process is questionable. In fact, the main task is not to show ‘victory over evil’ but that our victors managed to keep the tenderness of their souls. It’s very significant also for art. In Belarus, where May, by V. Zlenko people to the full felt all the horrors of the experience, art received a new impetus. The postwar years became its golden age — the national school was formed. The theme of the war has, over the decades, occupied a significant place in the creativity of Belarusian artists. Their interpretations vary — from the dramatic paintings of Mikhail Savitsky to the life-affirming still life works and landscapes of Leonid Shchemelev. Such breadth is prevalent in Belarusian art, as the current exhibition evinces. Although its exposition was essentially traditional, it shows the Breath of Freedom, by Yu. Antoniuk strength of the human spirit, and the

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VERNISSAGE

Near work Minsk. July 3rd, 1944, by V. Volkov, at the National Art Museum

heroism of soldiers in their fair and liberation war. Two floors of the Palace of Arts were given over to military themed works, each with emotional individuality, revealing the essence of wartime ordeals. Of course, the pictures by the authors who have through the war were also on show. People’s Artists of Belarus Leonid Shchemelev and Victor Gromyko are particularly notable, their works having great depth, being based on firsthand experience; they uncover war’s terrible nature. The younger generation is often in awe of those who experienced the severe test of war and survived, going on to live ‘ordinary’ lives. Victor Gromyko experienced the hardships of fighting in those war years, helping liberate his native land from Nazi invaders. In 1941, he became a member of the underground organisation in Orsha, and was then a scout, a machine gunner and, even, the commissioner of a special purpose regiment detachment. He also edited

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Narodnyye Mstiteli (People’s Avengers) newspaper. Strength, courage and human dignity lie behind the dry facts of this military biography. Victor Gromyko’s vivid love of life found expression through his war experiences, later revealed in his rich creative diversity. He explores the meaning of love, spiritual ideals and beliefs, as well as the responsibility of the artist. He entered Belarusian art as a master of historicalheroic paintings, major epic scenery and psychological portraits. Famous painter of battlefields FioReflection dor Baranovsky was one of the first graduates of the Minsk Art Institute. His Soviet realism style is typical of the Belarusian school of pictorial art. His soldiers share with us their characters, emotions, determination and conviction. His characters are courageous, living with honour and being unafraid of hard work. Belarus was liberated from Nazi invaders 70 years ago; the war has long since become history. Yet, it remains to the fore Dedication to Fellow villagers, by V. Prokoptsov in almost every Belarusian fam-

VERNISSAGE ily; how can it be otherwise in a country that lost a third of its inhabitants to those cruel years? Meanwhile, Fiodor Baranovsky was born on July 3rd, celebrating his 20th birthday on the day of Belarus’ liberation, in 1944. He later painted Our Minsk, capturing the joy of meeting warrior-liberators. However, one of his most famous works is Bath: beyond the superficial ‘everyday’ plot, there is protest against the war, which so ruined young lives. It is special and significant not only for the author’s professionalism but for its unexpected approach to the theme: the paradoxical connection between our love of life and latent tragedy. Undoubtedly, Baranovsky is a phenomenon of Belarusian art in the same manner as Nikolay Zalozny, Ivan Dmukhailo and Iosif Belanovich, whose works were also exhibited. Ivan Dmukhailo is rare among artists who lived through the Great Patriotic War in having chosen not to paint on the war theme. Rather, those years allowed him to reflect on life’s richness and beauty, through landscape painting. Here, he realised his talent and abilities. Nevertheless, the military theme is fully present in works by the Great Patriotic War veteran Iosif Belanovich: Brest Fortress, Heroes of Immortality, Memory, and Soldiers. He reflected on the humanity of each soldier-liberator until his final days, creating paintings

Near work Chimera, by S. Vrublevskaya

Artist Taras Nikolaevich Parazhnyak — veteran of the Great Patriotic War

dedicated to the heroic defence of Brest Fortress, the courage of those who survived the siege of Leningrad, and the battles of Berlin, as well as the liberation of his native Minsk. Necessarily, most works by Belarusian artists on the theme of war are tragic, despite the domination of uplifting heroism. This fully refers to the creative activity of People’s Artist of Belarus Georgy Poplavsky, graphic pieces are also on show. In his own words, Belarusian

painters have made their own contribution into the depiction of the history of the Great Patriotic War. He believes that ‘this is our duty, since the sacrifices made by Belarus during the war years are unforgettable’. The National Art Museum is also displaying works dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. Naturally, Belarusian art from the 1940s was closely connected with military events. Some artists served at the front, while others were evacuated or stayed in occupied territory; some joined the partisan movement. Since there was no time to evacuate the pre-war State Picture Gallery collection (the predecessor of the National Art Museum of Belarus) most works were either looted or destroyed, during bombings and fire. Despite harsh conditions, Belarusian artists continued to create in the war years. They found more convenient forms of reflecting reality, making small sketches, battlefield drawings, posters and cartoons, as well as portraits. After the liberation of Belarus, they took trips to battle sites, drawing images of war heroes.

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Near work Victory Day, by I. Kosobutsky

The war theme reached its peak in the late 1940s, continuing until the 1970s. The current exhibition at the National Art Museum of Belarus presents paintings, graphics, sculpture, and works of decorative-applied art, all dedicated to the protection of Brest Fortress and the liberation of Minsk, as well as partisan portraits and images glorifying the memory of Heroes of the Soviet Union, who died during the war. The exploits of Batka Minai (Minai Shmyrev), Nikolay Gastello, Lev Dovator, Alexey Danukalov, Konstantin Zaslonov, Piotr Kalinin, Piotr Kupriyanov, Yelena Mazanik, Mikhail Silnitsky and Ded Talash (Vasil Talash) have inspired not only artists but writers, composers, and film and theatre directors. On show are works by People’s Ar tists of Belarus Zair Azgur, Anatoly Anikeichik, Ivan Akhremchik, Andrey Bembel, Gavriil Vashchenko, Valentina Volkova, Alexey Glebov, Victor Gromyko, Alexander Grube, Lev Gumilevsky, Mai Dantsig, Yevgeny Zaitsev, Arlen Kashkurevich, Raisa Kudrevich, Pavel Maslenikov, Georgy Poplavsky, Mikhail Savitsky, Sergey Selikhanov, Vladimir

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Stelmashonok, Vitaly Tsvirko, Vasily Sharangovich and Leonid Shchemelev. The brightest representative of the ‘severe style’ is People’s Artist of Belarus Mai Dantsig, who recently turned 85. No large exhibition is complete without his works. He is among those creators who are loud, honest, and always faithful to himself, as well as his beliefs and ideals. His themed paintings, urban landscapes, still life works and portraits explore various themes, including war. All are united in their clarity and timeless significance. Among the golden fund of national art are Saved World Remembers, Belarus Is the Mother of Partisans, and On Guard For Peace; all have their own nobility. Mai Dantsig has explored times of war and peace, his favourite hero-city, Minsk, those with whom he has been and remains close, and most importantly, the times in which he has lived. The current exhibition also includes works by some Belarusian authors never before represented in a permanent exhibition. All are artistic chroniclers of war: Leonid Osedovsky, Piotr Danelia, Abram Krol, Eduard Kufko, Sophia Li, Boris Nepomnyashchy, Valentin Savitsky, Boris Uss, Vladimir Khrustalev and Yevgeny Tikhonovich. The genres on show are diverse, from portraits and landscapes to narrative paintings. During several decades the painters were creating allegorical and metaphorical compositions, reflect-

At Victory! 70 exhibition

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Near work For Native Belarus, by V. Sukhoverkhov, at the National Art Museum

ing the tragic and tense atmosphere of military days emotionally and dramatically: Ballad of A Mother, by Leonid Osedovsky; Unconquered, by Vitaly Tsvirko; Stand To The Death, by Yevgeny Zaitsev; We Will Return, by Olgerd Malishevsky; In Memory Of Fellow Soldiers, by Natan Voronov; Nikolay Zalozny’s Poppies; Izrail Basov’s Memories; Vitebsk’s Gates and Partisan Madonna, by Mikhail Savitsky; 1941. Over Pripyat, by Victor Gromyko; My Birth, by Leonid Shchemelev; Breakthrough, by Gavriil Vashchenko;

Exposition at the National Art Museum

Thank You, Mom! by Ivan Rei; and Song About Partisans, by Vasily Sumarev. More than 60 works feature in the Great Patriotic War in Art exhibition, created between 1943 and 1985, exploring not only the Victory but other related scenes. The Victory has been the inspiration for many Belarusian artists, with the best works held at the country’s main museum. There are enough such masterpieces to fund several major exhibitions. Running for the next 12 months, the War and Victory in the Works of Bela-

rusian Artists of the 20th Century exhibition features works by war veterans and by those from the post-war generation. Of note is Portrait of Nikolay Gastello, by Andrey Bembel (19051986), Defence of Brest Fortress, by Ivan Akhremchik (1903-1971), Minsk. July 3rd, 1944, by Valentin Volkov (1881-1964), Mikhail Savitsky’s Partisan Madonna (1922-2010), Victor Gromyko’s Over the Pripyat (1923), Thirst, by Arlen Kashkurevich (1929-2013), and Still Life With Tulips, by Leonid Shchemelev (1923). Those created during the war years are the special pride of the collection. The exhibition will, undoubtedly, attract attention, reflecting as it does the courage, the sacrifice and the bravery, which brought us peace. Both exhibitions are dedicated to the infinite value of life, which no time can erode. The Palace of Arts has intentionally incorporated works by young painters, alongside those by their forefathers; they have their own emotional perspective, drawing on the memories of their fathers and grandfathers. By Victor Mikhailov

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Ballad of A Mother, by Leonid Osedovsky