Belarus (magazine #5 2016) by BELARUS Magazine

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No.5 (992), 2016 Беларусь. Belarus

belarus Politics, Economy, Culture

ISSN 2415-394X

TRADITION OF COOPERATIVE ACTIONS The 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia will be held in Minsk

Events in Belarus and abroad

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Беларусь.Belarus Monthly magazine No. 5 (992), 2016 Published since 1930 State Registration Certificate of mass medium No.8 dated March 2nd, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus

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Founders: The Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus “SB” newspaper editorial office Belvnesheconombank

EMPHASIS ON USEFUL WORK

Editor: Viktor Kharkov Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich

Design and Layout by

Ambassador Extraordinary and Ple nipotentiary of Belarus to Russia, H.E. Mr. Igor Petrishenko: ‘We aren’t rewriting history, we’re creating it’

When work is for wisdom

In center of life The Republican Scien-

Necessity of single economic base and unified social standards Our reporter talked to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Minsk, Alexander Surikov, about the major topics of the forum

BEAUTY OF FOLK DIPLOMACY

The main mission of the social state

Choosing the easy option A decision

Minsk takes over from Sochi

Nikolay Radoman, Belarusian sena tor, responsible for economic coope ration with Russia: ‘We do not need to compete, we complement each other’

tific and Practical Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology in Gomel (the RSPC) is the largest in Belarus medical complex for research and treatment of the people exposed to radiation

School is aiming at digital educa tion Two years ago the unusual project

‘Electronic school’ was launched in 11 Minsk educational institutions. The highlight of the experiment is the ‘Student card’ which has already found favour in 15 ordinary schools and grammar schools of the capital city

Land and sky of Vladimir Shuglya Honorary Consul General of Belarus to Tyumen Region of Russia has deeply personal reasons for developing all-round contacts between West-Siberian Region and land of his ancestors

Biography: Mogilev — Belgorod

Беларусь.Belarus is published in Belarusian, English, Spanish and Polish. Distributed in 50 countries of the world. Final responsibility for factual accuracy or interpretation rests with the authors of the publications. Should any article of Беларусь.Belarus be used, the reference to the magazine is obligatory. The magazine does not bear responsibility for the contents of advertisements.

Publisher: “SB” editorial office This magazine has been printed at State Entertainment “Publishers “Belarus Printing House”. 79 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk, Belarus, 220013 Order No. 1216 Total circulation — 1969 copies (including 790 in English).

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

on the gradual increase of the pension age adopted

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Vadim Kondrashov Nadezhda Ponkratova

Subscription index in Belpochta catalogue — 74977

For future foreign subscribers for ‘Belarus’ magazine, apply to ‘MK-Periodica’ agency.

ART UNITES SOULFULLY

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

Regions are in the forefront

Belarus views collaboration with Russian regions as experience of the Union State development

ear friends! On June 7th-8th, Minsk will be hosting the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, with the possible participation of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The strengthening of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, alongside deep and all-round integration, are priority areas of our countries’ foreign policy. Belarus views collaboration with Russian regions as one of the most important elements of strategic interaction, opening up wide opportunities for the implementation of agreed and well-targeted socio-economic policy in the Union State. The Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia has become a comfortable and popular place for open discussion between businesses, power and society across the most acute areas of cooperation between our two states. The programme of the 3rd Forum of Regions is vast and diverse. We hope that this will be a constructive exchange of opinions dealing with issues of the development of socio-humanitarian ties and interaction in the spheres of industry and agriculture. Initiatives and recommendations, commercial projects and contracts, detailed as part of the Forum, will benefit the socio-economic development of our two countries, while enhancing the well-being of the Belarusian and Russian nations. We invite all those interested to take part in this event.. By Mikhail Myasnikovich, the Chairman of the Council of the Republic at the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus

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PERSPECTIVE

Agenda of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus

t’s known that in line with the decision of the 2nd Forum of Regions, held last year in Sochi, the current meeting is dedicated to cooperation in the social sphere, as well as new tasks and prospects. This topic will be discussed at the forum in Minsk at the general plenary session. In total, the discussions will continue in nine sections, the range of tasks being much wider, though most of them tackle social collaboration in some way. “Belarus and Russia attach great importance to the forums of regions,” emphasised the Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Federal Assembly, Yuri Vorobiev, after organising committee’s session. “Each time we define the topic of the meeting. These are currently concentrated on social issues, although we won’t forget about agricultural and industrial matters. From this starting point we will move towards discussion of life in our countries, enabling us to see the most important points of cooperation for the future. This is the peculiarity and strength of the forum.” Undoubtedly, social aspects are seen clearly in the work of the agro-industrial complex, education and healthcare systems, youth policy, leisure and tourism industry and the work of the mass

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belta

Emphasis on useful work At the 2nd Forum of Regions in Sochi

media: a specialised section at the forum will be dedicated to each of these areas. On this occasion, Belarus will be hosting a stage of the Union State Spartakiade. Meanwhile, smaller aspects of collaboration in industry, science and the agricultural sector will be also tackled. It was decided to share experiences and discuss prospects for cooperation directly with organizations and enterprises where joint work is conducted, e.g., at the National Academy of Sciences, the Belarusian State University’s Journalism Institute, one of the city clinical hospitals. Economic interaction however, has not faded into the background, as it’s the basis for the social development of the Union State. The proposal of presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, who took part in the work of the forum in Sochi, to continue business contacts, received complete support. The heads of more than 30 federal subjects from the Russian Federation have already confirmed their participation in the meeting. After the major events of the forum are finished, they will go to the districts and regions of Belarus to assess the opportunities for co-operation locally. Evidently, opportunities will also be found at the Belagro international exhi-

bition, where Russians are traditionally the most numerous guests. Just as during the 1st Forum of Regions in Minsk in 2014, both events are held in tandem. However, this time, it was decided to bring the agricultural exhibition from the urban farm to the landing field of Minsk-1 airport, located practically in the centre of Minsk. A further large-scale meeting also coincides with the forum — the Belarusian capital will be hosting the Days of Moscow, where the topic of economic co operation will be one of the priorities. In total, they expect that the forum will be attended by at least 200 representatives of the Russian regions and around 150 participants from all Belarusian regions and Minsk. The Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, Anatoly Rusetsky, sees great potential in the outcomes, “The Supreme State Council approved priority goals and tasks for Union State development, including projects to create a single technological and migration space, they agreed actions in the areas of healthcare and culture, science and education. Our forum aims to develop Union State projects, as well as its social, humanitarian and economic basis.” By Vladimir Mikhailov

ATTENTION!

What? Where? Section 1. Belarusian-Russian

cooperation in the field of labour relations and social protection of the population (Minsk, Session Hall of the National Assembly’s Council of the Republic)

Section 2. Belarusian-Russian cul-

tural and humanitarian cooperation: historical and modern context (Nesvizh, National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve — Nesvizh)

Section 3. Russian-Belarusian scientific and sci-tech cooperation. State and prospects of development (Minsk, Presidium of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences)

Section 4. Russian-Belarusian co-

operation in the education sphere. State and prospects of development (Minsk, the Belarusian State University — to be clarified)

hanges may be introduced to the programme of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, scheduled for June 7th-8th, although the focus remains on mutually beneficial cooperation — as chosen by participants. The Forum’s organisers have sent the programme to the ‘Belarus’ magazine editorial office. Some sections remain ‘to be clarified’ but we can here offer a unique ‘roadmap’ of discussion topics. Guests are arriving on June 6th, staying at the President Hotel (18 Kirov Street) and at the Minsk Hotel (11 Nezavisimosti Avenue).

7.06

On the first day of the Forum, from 9-10am, the President Hotel’s Round Hall of Negotiations will host the third session of the Inter-parliamentary Commission of the Belarusian National Assembly’s Council of the Republic and the Russian Federal Assembly’s Council of the Federation for Interregional Cooperation. From 10-11a.m., registration of participants will take place in the hotel’s conference hall lobby.

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ATTENTION!

When? Later, thirty minutes will be devoted to transportation to venues for each of nine sections, allowing exchange of opinions and discussion, and acquaintance with social-humanitarian and industrial work. One will operate in the city of Nesvizh, 120km from Minsk. Lunch will be held from 1.30 to 2.30p.m., after which participants will go to the ‘BELAGRO-2016’ exhibition, at the Football Manege Sport Complex. From 3-5.30p.m., it will host the opening of the Day of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. Guests will be able to tour exhibits and have the opportunity to sign contracts and agreements. A cultural programme is also planned and, at 7.00p.m., there will be the chance for heads of federal subjects of the Russian Federation to travel to the Belarusian regions of special interest to them.

8.06

On the second day of the Forum, the Palace of the Republic (1 Oktyabrskaya Square) will host the main events. Participants of the plenary session will be registered at its Small Hall from 9.30a.m., with a session beginning at 10.30am: ‘Realisation of a Coordinated Social-Economic Policy in the Union State: Achievements, Problems, Paths of Solution and Prospects’. At midday, there will be a coffee break in the lobby of the Palace of the Republic’s Small Hall, during which time the Chairman of the Belarusian National Assembly’s Council of the Republic, Mikhail Myasnikovich, will join the Chairperson of the Council of the Federation of the Russian Federal Assembly, Valentina Matvienko, in speaking to the media. The plenary session will last until 3p.m., followed by signing of agreements on cooperation between the Belarusian Government and federal subjects of the Russian Federation. At 4p.m., the Palace of the Republic’s Reception Hall will host a reception on behalf of Mikhail Myasnikovich, the Chairman of the Council of the Republic at the National Assembly of Belarus and, at 5.30p.m., participants will be free to depart.

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Section 5. Belarusian-Russian

co-operation in the field of youth policy (Minsk, Belarusian National Technical University)

Section 6. Rendering of medi-

cal assistance as an important resource in preserving national health. Interaction within the Belarus-Russia Union State (Minsk, City Clinical Hospital #2)

Section 7. Mass Media as an im-

portant factor of interregional interaction and formation of common space of the Union State’s humanitarian values (Minsk, the Belarusian State University’s Journalism Institute)

Section 8. Realisation of a coordinated agro-industrial policy within the Union State (or Ensuring food security of the Union State under conditions of international and regional trade-economic integration (Football Manege Sport Complex — within the ‘BELAGRO2016’ exhibition)

Section 9. Development of Belarusian-Russian co-operation in the industrial sphere (Minsk, Atlant JSC)

PHOTO REPORT OF PREVIOUS FORUMS

Building on good experience Fruitful work at previous forums of regions of Belarus and Russia has determined beneficial prospect for further cooperation

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PHOTO REPORT OF PREVIOUS FORUMS

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AUTHORITATIVELY

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia, H.E. Mr. Igor Petrishenko:

‘We aren’t rewriting history, we’re creating it’ Mr. Ambassador, how far do our villagers and industrialists meet at forums? How intensive is our inter-regional interaction? I’ll paraphrase Exupéry: ‘If contacts grow in intensity, it is for a reason’. Every year, dozens of Russian delegations visit Belarus, and vice versa. It’s impossible to say which heads of Russian regions are yet to visit our country. There probably aren’t any. The President of Belarus has many times repeated that, thanks to interregional communication, the potential of Belarusian-Russian interdepartmental interaction has been maintained and increased. Mr. Lukashenko has personally welcomed the heads of Russian regions on arrival in Belarus, which says a great deal. The 1st Forum of Regions, which took place in Minsk in June 2014, was devoted to the development of agroindustry. The 2nd, hosted by Sochi in 2015, focused on the Union State industrial policy. The 3rd Forum, scheduled in Minsk again, will concentrate on our social-economic policy. There is no doubt that our forums are meeting the hopes of heads of regions and enterprises: following the Sochi summit last year, we signed two hundred contracts, worth tens of millions of Dollars, creating an ‘instant’ effect. Some results can hardly be estimated in figures. Forums act as a catalyst for de-

veloping direct contacts between our regions and businesses. This is vital to tackle growing competition on world markets. At present, direct trade and economic relations are maintained by Belarus with virtually all Russian regions — including with more than sixty via direct agreements on long-term cooperation. It’s already a tradition at forums to conclude new contracts and agreements on cooperation. Belarusian and Russian cities, areas, districts and regions are united

by around two hundred effective contracts, agreements and protocols on interaction relating to economics and the spheres of sci-tech, trade and culture. Around eighty major joint assembly facilities have been established across almost forty Russian cities. Over two hundred commodity distribution network sites exist within the Union State using Belarusian authorised capital, and over three thousand companies use Russian funds. Production cooperation unites over 8,000 Belarusian and Rus-

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AUTHORITATIVELY sian enterprises, and there are more than a thousand joint companies, all working through inter-regional ties. Are expectations being met? Yes, of course, we’d love to make faster progress but, importantly, there is progress. Our hopes are focused on the further development of the Union State, expanding and strengthening inter-regional ties. In a few days, on June 25th, the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation will celebrate the 24th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations as sovereign states. We’ve been building the Union State for twenty years. What is yet to be achieved and of what should we be most proud? What arguments are needed to convince Be-

reaucratic obstacles. Belarusians and Russians enjoy equal rights in education, social security, and health care, as well as relating to issues of buying property and doing business. It’s hardly possible to find anywhere else in Europe, or around the world, with a similar example of such strong friendship and close integration. Let’s address a common question: what would have happened if we hadn’t established the Union State? I’m convinced that we wouldn’t have today’s equality of rights. We’d still have a true border and all the related problems of crossing. In this respect, we’d have been foreigners to each other, despite Belarusians and Russians viewing themselves as brothers.

The 1st Forum of Regions, which took place in Minsk in June 2014, was devoted to the development of agroindustry. The 2nd, hosted by Sochi in 2015, focused on the Union State industrial policy. The 3rd Forum, scheduled in Minsk again, will concentrate on our social-economic policy larusians and Russians of the necessity of further developing our integration? I don’t think that Belarusians or Russians need to search for additional arguments to see the necessity of our integration. Anyone, at any agricultural or industrial enterprise, and in any Belarusian or Russian family, can simply and intelligibly describe the advantages — better than any diplomat. They would emphasise that not everything can be measured in tonnes, deca-litres or cubic metres. In 20 years of collaboration, we’ve created our common humanitarian, social and economic space, from Brest to Vladivostok, without borders and with very few bu-

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We wouldn’t have close economic relations and Belarus would have never become Russia’s fifth largest foreign trade partner. It’s unlikely that a Belarusian tractor, combine harvester or truck would have been made using half Russian components, since this is the result of our industrial cooperation. Our products — made in Belarus and Russia — would have been more expensive for each other, as there would have been more barriers to trade. Regarding the West, Russia would have needed a powerful military presence, obliging Belarus to ensure its own military safety. Protection of external borders would have been much more expensive.

It’s unlikely that we would have faced such unanimity and support at major international venues — such as within the UN or the OSCE. Accordingly, I believe we’ve met the expectations of our people to a great extent, although each avenue of cooperation retains potential for extension. This is especially true of the economy, where we need a uniform industrial policy and closer coordination in the spheres of agricultural industry and transport. We talk about knowledge-intensive and hi-tech production, so why not then enter third countries’ markets with joint products, under the ‘Union State’ brand? Barriers continue to exist regarding free movement of goods, access to state procurements and state orders in the field of defence. Not all issues are yet clarified and agreed in the system of ensuring equal rights for our citizens. Conceptual problems have been solved but some remain, such as recognition of medical documentation. There’s much work ahead and goals to be met. In 2015, commodity turnover between our countries fell considerably. Can interregional cooperation significantly improve the situation? Those who are gathering for regional forums, arriving in Minsk for the third event, are in no doubt. Speaking seriously, it’s clear to Belarusians and Russians that our problems stem from the international situation, including the policy of sanctions and the oil market crisis. Domestic reasons for reduced turnover include falling consumer demand (due to growing retail prices) and the limits of people’s income, as well as deteriorating terms of credit, due to increased risks, and the exchange difference caused by fluctuations in currencies. Speaking of what should be done, we need to focus on the key goal. It’s important to find commodity turnover growth drivers, to make use of all the advantages of our integration — both within the Union State and as part of

AUTHORITATIVELY interregional cooperation. We should avoid creating additional problems in terms of restricting delivery of goods and pursue a coordinated industrial and agro-industrial policy. We also need to deepen our regional communications, focusing on the final result. Production co-operation should be expanded, new assembly production should be established and localisation of facilities enhanced. This is no easy task but there is no other choice. I often tour the Russian regions. In 2015 and early 2016, I had around forty meetings in Moscow alone, with heads of Russian republics, districts and regions. All my counterparts agree with this view. Much depends on people in regions developing direct contacts between producers and final consumers, as Belarus understands. Relatively small Belarus has been Russia’s major trade and economic partner for many years. Are Belarusian goods remaining competitive on the Russian market and what does the concept of a ‘domestic producer’ mean today? Are Belarusian goods ‘domestic’ or ‘foreign’ for Russians? As I’ve said, I visit Russian regions quite often and am always pleased to see our MAZ vehicles on the road, as well as BelAZ trucks in pits, ‘Belarus’ tractors and Polesie combines in fields and Belarus-made buses and trolleybuses on passenger routes. They can rival the competition easily. We’re establishing trade houses and dealer centres for sales and maintenance of our machi nery across Russian regions. Demand for our machinery is steadily high and, as purchasing power improves, further sales will come. I’d rather not speak about food, as it enjoys wide popularity in Russia and demonstrates steady demand. It’s important to sustain our high level of quality and remember to advertise our Belarusian exports (our export enterprises tend to ignore this). The question does arise whether we can call a tractor Belarusian when half of the prime costs result from the

purchase of Russian components (excluding metal and energy). Is it ‘pure’ Belarusian? Our industrial cooperation raises the question of how to define domestic products. The policy of sanctions and reciprocal measures, which Russia has imposed on Europe, highlights the concept of a ‘Union State Product’, as I said earlier. It’s probably easier to avoid sanctions from third parties. Think of jokes about Belarusian shrimps and oysters. We buy fish and seafood for processing, so

level. There’s more to ‘folk diplomacy’ for Belarusians and Russians than the interaction of public institutes, such as those between Belarus and Italy, or between Russia and France. Our nations perceive these as brotherly and kin relations. At present, about 3 million Belarusborn people live abroad; over 520,000 Belarusians live in Russia alone. According to various calculations, around 1.2mln citizens viewing themselves as ethnic Belarusians live within the Rus-

Around eighty major joint assembly facilities have been established across almost forty Russian cities. Over two hundred commodity distribution network sites exist within the Union State using Belarusian authorized capital, and over three thousand companies use Russian funds. Production cooperation unites over 8,000 Belarusian and Russian enterprises, and there are more than a thousand joint companies, all working through inter-regional ties that the final product becomes Belarusmade, in line with all regulations. Why shouldn’t we do so? At most meetings with representatives of Russian regions, the President of Belarus has called for coordinated policy in the sphere of industrial cooperation, in addition to establishing joint manufacturing facilities. I wouldn’t say that we’re near completing our mission, but our efforts are reaping results. Humanitarian cooperation will become a focus of the 3rd Forum. ‘Folk diplomacy’, twinning and cultural ties are among its important components. As the Head of the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Moscow, how do you view their development? The level of our contacts is high, without need for exaggeration. God willing, we’ll continue at this high

sian Federation. It’s the largest Belarusian diaspora in the world. Over 70 public organizations of Belarusians are registered: associations, cultural-educational societies and centres, as well as national and cultural associations. These are engaged in establishing communication with the ethnic homeland, preserving national, cultural and spiritual traditions. Sociological research at one of the major independent analytical centres, Levada Centre, last year registered ‘a record indicator of Russians’ stating that they viewed Belarus as the closest friend of their country over the past decade’: about 80 percent declared this view. Speaking of ties, I should note that Belarusian cities enjoy twin-city relations with over 300 cities across almost forty countries, including around 140

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AUTHORITATIVELY in Russia. However, time and the situation have introduced changes to these relations. Development of economic, investment, innovative and social projects (realised as part of this ave nue) should become the focus, in my opinion, of twin-city and partner-city relations. There’s major unrealised potential in this respect. Co-operation in education, culture, tourism, health care, youth policy and sport also looks promising. Such work at the level of cities should (and can)

promote development of the whole complex of relations between our countries, becoming a catalyst for further regional integration. Much can be said about our cultural ties. Geography and depth of contacts in this sphere are huge. Many joint artistic projects are being realised and dozens of diverse art festivals — some widely known beyond the Union State — are being held; among them are the ‘Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk’, ‘Listapad’ (in Minsk) and ‘Slavonic Theatrical Meetings’ (in Gomel). Last year, a grand Belarusian-Russian festival was hosted by Rostov-on-Don: ‘Youth for the Union State’. There are many other examples. On the eve of the 3rd Forum of Regions, the Days of Moscow will be organised in Minsk, boasting a rich

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programme, including cultural events. In June, the Days of Belarusian Culture will be held at the Embassy’s Business Cultural Complex in Moscow: ‘Belarusian Seasons’. It’s hardly possible to list all events but I’ll mention one date. This year, the International ‘Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk’ Festival of Arts is celebrating its 25th jubilee. I’m convinced that Belarusians and Russians will mark this date impressively. Meanwhile, despite very successful activities aimed at developing cultural ties at state level, I’d like to say that it would be great if individuals would become more actively involved in streng-

thening cooperation. I’m speaking of ‘sponsors’ and socially responsible businesses. Another topical issue on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War is the preservation of our general historical heritage and historical memory, which has been exposed to serious attack recently. How can we oppose attempts to rewrite history to please today’s political environment and how can we save young people from the influence of extremism and nationalism? Thank you for this topical question. Truly, we have seen this attitude towards our past. I’m proud that my compatriots (the absolute majority of them) are immune to historical amnesia; they are not ashamed of speaking openly. We, Belarusians, have the benefit of peace and harmony. We all know the

high price paid and we appreciate this wealth; we’re carefully protecting it. Belarus has long been paying its debt to fallen heroes, as well as to surviving veterans. All soldiers of the Victory — partisans, undergrounders and soldiers at the front — are the centre of attention, and not just on state holidays. They enjoy state care always, with veterans living without household related problems. The slogan of ‘Nobody is Forgotten and Nothing is Forgotten’ is of enduring value. In their first school lessons, pupils learn of our ‘villages on fire’ (619 Belarusian villages — including Khatyn and Dalva were burnt with their residents by the German Fascists) and of the brutal ‘death factories’: there were about 250 camps of Soviet prisoners of war, 350 jails for the civilian population and 186 Jewish ghettoes on the Republic’s territory. Every village has, at least, a simple obelisk topped by a red star. We also have no anonymous or forgotten burial sites. This is one of the best examples and lessons of our historical memory. There are around 9,000 monuments, memorials and mass graves in Belarus. You can hardly find an obelisk in our country neglected. Where else in the world has a new Great Patriotic War Museum opened recently? Only in Belarus! Moreover, it’s truly unique, without rival in Europe. Avenues named after Rokossovsky and Zhukov, as well as Pobediteley (Victors) Avenue will never be renamed in Minsk. The legendary ‘T-34’ tank, 100m from the Presidential Administration in Karl Marx Street, will never be replaced. Much can be spoken on the subject but, importantly, we aren’t rewriting textbooks or history lessons. When supplementing them, we use only verified facts. We aim that neither extremism, nor nationalism ever take root on our land. In this respect, we can act as an example. By Nina Romanova, Moscow — Minsk

COMPETENTLY

Paul Chuyko

Necessity of single economic base and unified social standards

Mr. Surikov, what is the role of Belarus and Russia, and is it necessary to further develop regional ties? What is their importance and what are the results? As you know, the current forum is the third in a row and its organizers are the Council of the Federation and the Upper Chamber of the Belarusian Parliament. The first forum, held in Minsk, was ‘trial’ while the second forum — in Sochi — was wider and more representative. Its significance is underlined by the fact that the presidents of the two states have taken part in the work of the forum. We expect even greater Russian regional representation in the third forum of regions and, naturally, all regions of Bela-

Our reporter talked to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Minsk, Alexander Surikov, about the major topics of the forum:

rus will be represented. The preparation is very serious. I believe that alongside interesting discussion of many escalated issues a range of agreements may be signed between Belarusian regions and Russian federal subjects. If we speak about the efficiency of regional cooperation, both Belarus and Russia have a very serious attitude towards this. I had to take part in one of such forums back in late 1990s when I headed one of the Russian Federation’s territories. It was already clear at that time that alongside interstate economic and social aspects of interaction, Belarusian authorities also ‘shape’ regional ties, between regions of Belarus and

Russia. Therefore, there’re two levels of collaboration. This is quite unusual; some kind of such interaction exists between Russian regions and Kazakhstan, but not so widely. As a result, we see that 80 subjects of the Russian Federation out of 85 (with two of these — the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol — becoming such subjects only recently) have some agreements on economic, social and cultural cooperation with the Belarusian Government or regions. Many working groups have been set up between overwhelming majority of the Russian regions and the Belarusian Government or the Belarusian regions; these groups work and de-

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COMPETENTLY termine the development of the signed agreement. Let’s see how all this is being promoted from the point of view of inter-state economic collaboration — successfully or not successfully. It’s easier to me to compare this, since I have worked here for quite a long period of time. In 2006, the trade turnover between Russia and Belarus totalled $15bln, with hydrocarbons accounting for $9bln and regional ties between enterprises making the remaining $6bln. This is what can be called ‘pure business’ with high value added. We’ve focused our efforts on production cooperation and integration of concrete Belarusian and Russian enterprises. The result of our interaction is $44bln of trade turnover in 2012, with hydrocarbons accounting for $15bln of this amount while the remaining being primarily reached via regional cooperation, i.e. we’ve received a growth from $6bln to $29bln. Interregional and cooperative ties between enterprises have increased 5-fold: this is live economy. Over recent years, around 30 joint ventures have been set up in Russia, which use Belarusian spare parts. For example, the Saransk Tractor Plant produces up to 5,000 tractors in cooperation with MTZ (Minsk Tractor Works) while Bryansk Plant of Agricultural Machinery manufactures up to 3,000 harvesters in co-operation with Gomselmash. Moreover, Nizhny Novgorod Elevator Assembly Plant and Mogilevliftmash are jointly producing a thousand lifts. The Technical Hydrocarbon Plant from Omsk finishes the construction of tech-

nical hydrocarbon facility in Mogilev. These are the examples of cooperation and economic integration. These ties have formed a colossal number of new jobs which bring re venues to corresponding budgets: family, district, city, state, pension funds, etc. Regional ties have also produced 2,500 joint enterprises with Russian capital in Belarus and more than 1,000 companies with Belarusian capital in Russia. All these have helped increase trade turnover between our states from $6bln to almost $30bln, without taking into account hydrocarbons. At present, prices for hydrocarbons have fallen on world markets, as have prices for metal, timber and food. The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus is slightly falling yet working places remain. These enterprises work and production facilities don’t stop, thus preserving basic economic backgrounds in both states. Nevertheless, a task was formulated at the forum to view interaction on mitigating negative consequences in economy, thus underlining certain concern… Probably, we do have certain concerns. Undoubtedly. We should understand that prices for hydrocarbons and the remaining types of raw materials have fallen and we’re unable to de-stimulate consumer’s demand worldwide. However, there’re our internal issues which can be discussed at the forum, including through representatives of regions of Russia and Belarus. We’re rather actively working to restore and improve the industrial image

of Russia and Belarus. The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union should be also involved in this project, so there’s what to think about. It’s necessary to restore in Russia and to raise the existing industrial level in Belarus; otherwise, we won’t get into new technological mode. Meanwhile, basic branches do remain. I don’t know, probably, they will soon begin printing socks; however, tractors, load-carrying machines, rye or grain can’t be printed, so industrialisation and agro-complex are high on the agenda. We’ve changed our industrial image compared to the Soviet period, including by using regional cooperation but the world doesn’t stand on one and the same place. We see what’s going on in the global economy. The largest transnational companies prevail on the global economic arena and in recent years this domination has been geopolitically shaped, e.g., the transatlantic trade agreement, which is being discussed by the USA and the EU. The Transpacific Economic Partnership Agreement has been already signed. It follows that we, Russia and Belarus, as well as our Eurasian partners, would be ‘compressed’ by transnational giants from the two sides. However, let’s not forget that Russia is a WTO member and Belarus will soon join it, and our EAEU partners are also members of this organization. We can’t ignore the WTO rules and, probably, we may start losing the markets on our territories to these giants. Of course, they have greater ‘runup’: related to innovation, investment and resources.

Over recent years, around 30 joint ventures have been set up in Russia, which use Belarusian spare parts. These ties have formed a colossal number of new jobs which bring revenues to corresponding budgets: family, district, city, state, pension funds, etc.

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COMPETENTLY

We’ve focused our efforts on production co-operation and integration of concrete Belarusian and Russian enterprises. The result of our interaction is $44bln of trade turnover in 2012, with hydrocarbons accounting for $15bln of this amount while the remaining being primarily reached via regional cooperation Our task is to integrate our enterprises. Unfortunately, activities of Russia and Belarus are not very successful in uniting MAZ and KAMAZ. We just need to sit down, attentively figure out what is an integration process and unite our efforts in order to be able to compete with transnational corporations. This is what should be done. All discussions should be built in such a way that it was beneficial to both states. It’s necessary to further expand integration ties which we’ve launched. Why do Russians often say ‘Belarusian’ or even ‘foreign’ Belarusian product? Where’s our commonality? Probably, competition regarding some varieties of goods is necessary, e.g., in agriculture. We can’t create a single Belarusian-Russian kolkhoz. Small enterprises will be competing with each other; this is necessary to improve the necessary quality of produce. Such internal competitive work is vital to enter external markets where we compete with western enterprises. We need to promote the idea that all goods manufactured within the BelarusRussia Union State, as well as within the Eurasian Economic Union are ‘common’, as in the EU. It’s not all plain sailing in the EU either mind you, for instance, when a product is made in the Baltic States and needs to find a market in France. In one word, there’re many economic topics for discussions here. We should fill the market with our own products, including meat, milk, grain… We should make-out balances and forecast the manufacture of produce.

Saransk Tractor Plant works in cooperation with MTZ

The previous forum was dedicated to the formation of the single industrial and agro-industrial policy. Do we have it or not? Major issues have been discussed and now the Union State, its apparatus, and the governments of the two states are involved in preparation of these documents. Where is the major trouble here? The most important is that there’re opponents to these issues. Until recently, the understanding of industrial policy in Russia was absent. We didn’t understand this: what for do we need this if the market would regulate everything itself. However, the world market is being regulated by transnational corporations which have their own corresponding policies… What is single industrial policy in your understanding?

This is a single system of privileges, preferences, technological standards. This is balances. This time, the forum of regions will pay attention to social and humanitarian topics. Surely, because of the economic crisis, now isn’t the best time for such themes? Social policy presupposes not only bonuses. Social policy is everything that is part of society’s life, starting from education, healthcare, culture, pensions, etc. The thing is not only in money but also in the efficiency of its use and, finally, in the efficiency of the social sphere. For example, together with you we’re trying to formulate a single educational standard. In Russia the Unified State Examination was approached primarily from the position of struggling against corruption. However, maybe, this isn’t the most important

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COMPETENTLY in education. Meanwhile, Belarus has introduced tests. Thus, Russia and Belarus have different approaches towards this issue. However, we need to create single educational standards and this means that we need to develop common approaches towards subject matters in schools. We need to sit down and discuss which basic knowledge a secondary school alumni should have. We should sit and discuss this issue from common positions rather than simply giving its solution to education ministries in Belarus and Russia.

Last year, the education ministries of Russia and Belarus adopted a decision regarding youth policy. Meanwhile, recently Belarus has hosted a youth conference which tackled common approaches in strengthening brotherly ties between Belarusian and Russian youngsters. At present, this is at the organizational level but we need to come to community of youth organizations. The Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM) exists in Belarus while a youth branch of the AllRussia People’s Front functions in Russia.

Bryanskselmash — in cooperation with Gomselmash

The same refers to healthcare. We’ll soon have a single market of medical preparations. Recently two manufacturers of Arpetol — Russian and Belarusian — had a row. Two factories are producing one and the same medication, so there’re issues in this respect. These include substitution of foreign medicines, issues on active pharmaceutical ingredients and approaches towards healthy lifestyle. The task here is the same: to bring standards closer. Since we’re in the Union State it would be nice to have common approaches towards pensions. In line with the Russian Constitution, authorities can’t worsen the quality of life when adopting a law. At present, men in Russia retire at 60 years old and this should be preserved. The forum will also tackle upbringing of youth. What are major tasks here?

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It’s necessary they liaised with each other. The ‘Student Brigades’ BelarusianRussian project was launched and it would be nice that student construction movement was expanded. This is live communication of youth and there’s also an opportunity to each some money for new academic year. All these need to be further expanded. However, the most important is to expand communication across pragmatic topics, as well as cultu-ral and military-historical. We’re a single nation. Russians and Belarusians have the same roots and the Kievan Rus was the basis, so we need to have a reaso nable approach towards these issues and not to break under the pressure of our colleagues from the West because they are not interested in further strengthening of the Slavonic unity. Ukraine is an example to this.

Science and scientific cooperation is another important theme at the forum. In Belarus, we’re proud to have the High-Tech Park, which sells software all over the world. Russia also has huge scientific potential. Which opportunities currently exist for Belarus and Russia to enter the markets of third countries with joint high-tech and science-intensive products? We’re already liaising in nuclear sphere. Russia is known to sell innovation products in nuclear engineering all over the world. I’m convinced that the Belarusian nuclear power station, that is being currently jointly constricted, will provide access to new technologies and then space. Russia occupies one of the first space positions in the world and Belarus also begins to develop space technology. In order to achieve the manufacture of joint product we need to unite our efforts. We need to think further because innovations are not only nuclear or space technology or software. They can be for example embodied in ordinary machine building. Innovations in housing-and-utility sphere and in public transport will also reduce to the fall of costs on services for people. We need to think how our joint scientific potentials can be developed and launched into practice. Then this practice, in the form of goods, will go to the markets of the third countries. This is the task of academies of sciences, governments and businesses. Why do I speak all the time about the necessity of large transnational business? Because it will be seriously involved in innovations. If I sew only two pairs of boots in the workshop monthly I won’t have money for innovations. Such projects can be developed only in the Union State, can't they? They can be better developed in the Union State because this is a unity of potentials, efforts and thoughts. There’s a political will; it’s necessary to focus on practical actions. Thank you! Interviewed by Nina Romanova

TOPICAL INTERVIEW

The main mission of the social state The social sphere is one of the most vital for the wellbeing of our citizens, and remains incredibly complex, governing our health, the education of our children, and the care and comfort of our elderly people. Each of its avenues has many problems, which we continue to work upon, or have already solved, as Deputy Prime Minister Natalia KOCHANOVA explains. Ms. Kochanova, which key events do you wish to highlight from 2015? It’s hard to say, as there were so many, and they are truly diverse. I’ll focus on the President’s signing of the Convention on Disabled People’s Rights, which approves the principles of state policy towards this category of citizens. Our task is to ensure equal opportunities: for disabled people to gain access to education, and employment, and for society to

view them on an equal footing. Ratification of the Convention envisages a major package of measures for the long term, ensuring that disabled people can fully participate in society. Additionally, thanks to recognition of the Belarusian health care sphere’s achievements by the international medical community, last October, Minsk hosted its first ministerial-level European conference: ‘Life-course Approach in the Context of Health 2020’. It was organised by the WHO, in cooperation with our Health Ministry. A wide range of issues was discussed in Minsk and the best European experience shared, on preservation and promotion of health at all stages of life. As a result of the conference, the Minsk dec-

laration was signed; it’s a strategic tool aiming at uniting all European countries’ efforts to improve health, from birth until death. It’s built upon three pillars: prompt action, quick treatment and joint action. It’s a patient-oriented approach focused on early prevention and interdepartmental interaction, aiming to increase life span and quality of life for our citizens. The opening of a molecular and genetic laboratory of carcinogenesis and the Positron Emission Tomography Centre, at the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre for Oncology and Medical Radiology (named after N. Alexandrov), is a milestone too. Belarus is among the first states to have introduced individually tailored medicine.

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TOPICAL INTERVIEW

There should be more of us Last year saw an interesting trend of rising birth rates, and rising average life expectancy. What measures are influencing this? You’re right. We’re registering positive dynamics in this respect, with the demographic scissors almost closed. We’ve been pursuing a particular policy, supported by the President and the Government. Undoubtedly, two main programmes of national demographic

demonstrating good birth rates, giving a positive balance, and we hope that other regions will soon ‘catch up’ with the capital. Naturally, we have to plan state financing to deal with this situation, such as by strengthening our material and technical base for healthcare and education. This year, 2016-2020 ‘The National Health and Demographic Security’ state programme was approved, extending processes to support continued demographic growth. Has maternity capital been an incentive in this respect?

Additionally, thanks to recognition of the Belarusian health care sphere’s achievements by the international medical community, last October, Minsk hosted its first ministerial-level European conference: ‘Life-course Approach in the Context of Health 2020’. It was organised by the WHO, in co-operation with our Health Ministry security are yielding fruit and we must continue promoting the trend. In 2015, the birth rate indicator stood at 12.5 permille (with mortality at 12.6 permille). If we continue, I hope we’ll achieve a natural increase in coming years. As regards the level of access to reproductive health services, Belarus now rivals France, Finland and Luxembourg, and is listed among the top 50 for care during pregnancy and childbirth. It is ranked 26th for comfort during motherhood and 4th best for levels of infantile and maternal mortality. We never predicted such a growth in our birth rate. 2014 was a record year, with 114,000 children born, rising to 119,000 in 2015. The positive increase in population is mostly down to immigration; however, we are close to ensuring the same figures even without migrants. Minsk is

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No doubt, this programme has made its contribution, as have others adopted at Presidential level (such as measures supporting families raising children). We have eleven types of such allowances, though I won’t list them all now. As regards maternity capital, 11,500 families have applied to receive it. We’re registering greater numbers of ‘large-size’ families: up from 77,000 to 80,000 at present. Of course, we want families to raise children for their own pleasure, rather than for material benefit. The state has no wish to encourage the birth of ‘unwanted’ children. At present, 21,000 children are under state care, and most (80 percent) have living parents (deprived of their parental rights). Families need to be strong, with our younger generation given good examples to follow. The state has no desire to see more children taken into care.

Prestigious professions Are the professions of teacher, doctor and social worker losing their prestige? Is this a real threat to the social sphere or only a temporary phenomenon? I often remark that the professions of teacher, doctor do enjoy prestige. They’ve always been respected in society and I don’t believe that this will change. However, they may need to work to enhance their image and earn the respect due to them. We know how challenging it is to gain a place at medical institutions and to graduate, so it would be bizarre for this to not entail prestige. Opinions on teachers differ but I must note that, last year, there were six times more applicants to the Belarusian Maxim Tank University than in 2013. Meanwhile, these applicants had graduated from school with gold medals. Some specialties were oversubscribed by 100 percent in 2015, even for remote lear ning. All places at the ‘Russian Language and Literature’ of the Philology Department were taken by medal holders and contract specialists. Interestingly, there are fewer entrants as a whole. In addition, 103 profile classes focusing on pedagogics operate countrywide, training over 1,200 pupils. With this in mind, personnel-related issues in the field of education appear pretty much settled. Many speak of teachers’ low salaries… Each state funded establishment can apply for extra finances if they need to retain their staff (with money coming from bonuses or from non-budgetary funds). Experience and specialism count for a great deal. I often chat with teachers when I visit schools and their attitude towards salary does vary. One gymnasium teacher admitted that her wages are even higher, sometimes, than those paid to the director: she receives Br8-10mln a month, but never less than Br7mln. Others mention similar cases. Of course, to earn more, teachers need to perfect their knowledge and skills, and take on extra responsibilities, such as school clubs (or ask for overtime). They work hard but there are always opportunities to earn more.

TOPICAL INTERVIEW

As regards the level of access to reproductive health services, Belarus now rivals France, Finland and Luxembourg, and is listed among the top 50 for care during pregnancy and childbirth. It is ranked 26th for comfort during motherhood and 4th best for levels of infantile and maternal mortality

been focusing on the work of polyclinics, to make them more effective, with modern equipment and computarisation, overseen by the Health Ministry. The WHO ministerial conference spent time discussing the need for early diagnosis, so that necessary treatment can be administered. It’s vital to access doctor consultation promptly, so we need to employ competent specialists at our primary out-patient clinics. We have seventeen Republican centres, using the most advanced technologies and modern equipment; it’s important that our regions enjoy the same technologies as the capital. It’s often true that ‘gossip’ spreads when there are unfortunate cases, and the medical profession is no exception. If someone has a bad experience, they’ll spread rumours about a doctor not knowing their job. We’ve long been transferring emphasis in our health system to primary care. However, the Health Ministry has been paying extra-special attention in recent years, having been granted increased funding (at least 40 percent of the total amount of health care financing). This is allowing us to develop the material and technical base of polyclinics and out-patient establishments, while introducing new technologies of diagnostics and treatment. Much is being done to improve them. By Alexander Benko

Doctors to be protected The high level of our health care was recently praised at the WHO European Conference. However, people tend to mention a mismatch between the sphere of high technologies (such as transplantology, oncology, and traumatology orthopaedics) and outpatient services. They see lack of personnel, queues and lack of information. You’re absolutely right. At a recent collegium of the Health Ministry, I put the question directly: although our doctors work hard, saving hundreds of thousands of lives, a single visit to a polyclinic can change a patient’s view of the system, if they experience poor communication with local health workers, or receive an incorrect diagnosis. Accordingly, we’ve

About a thousand of babies came to life at the probationary ward of ‘Mother and Child’ RSPC

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Choosing the easy option A decision on the gradual increase of the pension age adopted

he issue has now apparently been resolved and in the future we will all have to go over the working limit of 60 years for men and 55 years for women. From now on, Belarusian women will have to work until they are 58 years old and men until they are 63. The pension age won’t be raised immediately but will be gradually increased from 2017 to 2022, in six monthly increments. The discussion of whether to raise it or not has been protracted and the Government proposed three scenarios. The first was to raise the pension age for men and women by five years. The second was to raise the pension age by three years for men and by five years for women. The third variant was to add three years to both. The President approved the last. “Over the next few years we’ll be able to quietly accept these three extra years,” ex-

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plained Mr. Lukashenko. “It’s important for me as a father that we don’t pass on our burdens and problems to our children. We should manage them ourselves.” Which problems does he refer to? The population is growing older; as a result, the number of those working decreases while the number of those whom we need to feed increases. How can we feed them if less money arrives in the Social Protection Fund from which pensions and allowances are paid? The ageing of the population is a universal tendency and scientists cite the following figures: every second, two people celebrate their 60th birthday. In Belarus, pensions now account for 27 percent of the budget while this will rise to 29 percent by 2020. “Our pension fund doesn’t grow itself and we have to finance it from the budget. We take away money from doctors, teachers and the military. We can’t develop state programmes at the expense

Belta

REASONABLE APPROACH

In Belarus a worker receives the retirement pension if they have made payments into the state nonbudgetary Social Protection Fund for at least 15.5 years. From January 1st, 2017, the length of pension insurance paid will be raised by another six months and will be increased until it reaches twenty years. Without the necessary years credit, people will be able to receive only social pensions

of supporting the elderly. We understand that we can’t reduce pensions, just like we can’t increase taxes or social benefits. This is not our way, so we need to increase the pension age,” Mr. Lukashenko reasoned. Experts have calculated that the measures will reduce the deficit of funds of the Social Protection Fund while also ensuring the growth of GDP by more than 1 per cent starting from 2019. If the reform had been implemented last year, around 142,000 people wouldn’t have retired and the country would be able to save almost $260mln. The signed decree is only the beginning of the pension fund. At present, a joint approach is seen where some people work and pay dues to the Social Protection Fund while others received pensions. We’ll take the best from the experiences of other countries and will adapt this to our Belarusian situation. By Vladimir Mikhailov

INTEGRATION INSTRUMENT

Minsk takes over from Sochi Deputy Chairman of Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, Anatoly Rusetsky, talks about preparations for the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia

he Forum will gather chiefs of regions, administrations and enterprises, as well as parliamentarians and the Presidents of Belarus and Russia. Mr. Rusetsky notes, “Time has shown that it’s a favourable platform of cooperation. I would also say that it’s a new, effective instrument of integrative cooperation. Participation in the forum by the heads of our states expands the range of discussion and the level of responsibility. There remain barriers to regional cooperation, which we need to remove.” What will be the highlight? I’d say a plenary session involving Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, dedicated to social and economic policy, achievements of the Union State, and questions as yet unsettled. It’s expected that chiefs of the Council of the Republic and the Fe-

deration Council, and of branches and administrations across the regions of our two countries will also take part in the session.

Mr. Rusetsky, what will receive special attention at the 3rd Forum? In Sochi, we were considering questions of industrial policy. The

Profile  Prof. Anatoly Rusetsky was born in 1951 in Borisov, and graduated from the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute. He has worked as a designer at the Specialised Design Technology Bureau of the Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR, as a chief engineer of Minsk branch of the Moscow Technological Design Bureau, and as a chief designer of ‘Impulse’ Special Design Bureau, at the Ministry of Radio Industry of the USSR. He has also worked at the Science and Production Association Planar, under the Ministry of Electronic Industry of the USSR, where he rose from chief engineer to director of the Association. He has been the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, Minister of Industry, and Director of the Heat and Mass Transfer Institute. In 2010, he became the head of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Prof. Rusetsky is currently Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, and Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. He is a Doctor of Technical Sciences and a laureate of the State Prize of Belarus in the field of science and technology.

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INTEGRATION INSTRUMENT Minsk forum will be dedicated to the social policy of the Union State and questions of humanitarian cooperation. There is an economic component of course. We make everything for participants to not only discuss social and humanitarian cooperation but the implementation of commercial initiatives and joint projects, signing agreements and contracts for product delivery. At the 2nd Forum of Regions in Sochi, Belarusian and Russian representatives of state and private sectors signed contracts worth more than $230mln. In planning the 3rd Forum, we’re being guided by heads of states in

The first day of the Forum will begin with a session of the Interparliamentary Committee of the Council of the Republic and the Federation Council on Interregional Cooperation, analysing the results of the 2nd Forum and discussing the way forward for the Union. We’ve deliberately expanded our agenda, and have legislative and executive powers represented, to help solve tricky aspects of our work. Belarusian-Russian cooperation in the labour sphere will be examined, as will social protection, and liaisons in the scientific, cultural and education-

We do everything for participants to not only discuss social and humanitarian cooperation but the implementation of commercial initiatives and joint projects, signing agreements and contracts for product delivery emphasising cooperation between the economic spheres of Belarus and Russia. We’re hosting the ‘Belagro2016’ traditional international exhibition, to showcase our industry and that of Russian enterprises. Simultaneously, the Days of Moscow will be held in Minsk. Is the list of participants already known? Over thirty Russian regions should be taking part, alongside all six regions of Belarus, as we believe so far.

How to realise potential What will be the role of parliamentarians? The Forum is a joint event by the upper chambers of parliament of both our countries. Preparatory work is being coordinated by the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

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al spheres, youth policy, and medical aid for citizens of the Union State. Agrarians and manufacturers are to take part in a round table, and there will be a separate meeting on the work of the media. All events will be held at the best platforms across the Belarusian capital and in Nesvizh, and our guests will have the opportunity to visit enterprises. Apart from treaties and contracts, what other significant results are expected? Union State achievements in the sphere of rights and freedoms of citizens are known: we’ve removed boundaries, to allow freedom to choose where to live, to work, and to gain education, in any place from Brest to Sakhalin. However, there is still much to do in the sphere of unification and harmonisation of legislation, to extend rights and possibilities. For this purpose, we must utilise forum platforms effectively, encou-

raging governors, ministers and highlevel experts to participate. We need a fresh approach to Union projects and alternative solutions to difficulties. Traditional solutions are taking too much time. We need to speed up the process of decision-making. Questions connected with the crisis will also be tackled. It stands to reason that we won’t sidestep questions relevant to Belarusian and Russian manufacturers. The main problem is ensuring competitiveness for our enterprises and branches, fulfilling import substitution programmes and entering new foreign markets. Sharing experience will be valuable in this respect. I’m sure that an exhibition of industry achievements will help reveal new paths of co-operation, raising our competitiveness while avoiding unnecessary repetition of effort. BelAZ quarry lorries are like power stations on wheels. Why should Belarus start from scratch in making electro-motors and high power generators, if they are successfully made in Russia? There are many such examples. Businesses won’t obey rules regarding producing one thing, while we make another. Nevertheless, we can plan what we need and create new manufactures on a competitive basis.

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Russia and Belarus have already held two such forums on the territory of both states. One was dedicated to agrarian policy, and the other to industry. The 3rd Forum is dedicated to social and humanitarian questions. Mr. Rusetsky believes that regional chambers of the parliaments of Belarus and Russia should participate. “Interaction of the regions fills our partner interaction with additional questions: along with legislative activity and economic questions,” notes the Deputy Speaker of the Council of the Republic. By German Moskalenko

OPEN FORMAT

Media space Minsk hosts two landmark events: 11th Belarusian International Media Forum — ‘Partnership for the Future’ — and Mass Media in Belarus exhibition

epresentatives of twodozen countries have joined media space experts in exchanging ideas, discussing media related problems and, naturally, strengthening cooperation. Belarus’ Information Minister, Lilia Ananich, delivered a speech at the Forum’s plenary session, stressing, “At present, the role of the media is huge. New information technologies are a great blessing but also bring challenges and threats.” She added that media discussion of conflict and war must be handled carefully, with reverence for human life, world order and neighbourly relations between nations. Every year, the significance of the common information space is increa sing, as noted by the Chairman of the Executive Committee and the CIS Executive Secretary, Sergei Lebedev. Speaking before the plenary session of the 11th Belarusian International Media Forum, he stressed that the Internet has become an important source of information and that some people no longer watch TV or read newspapers. “In this respect, cooperation in the field of information is truly important.

Objective coverage is vital. People’s mood depends on what they see on TV and on upon what they hear,” Mr. Lebedev said. Sensational reporting can replace the pursuit of objectivity and truth in journalism, asserts the Editor-inChief of ‘SB. Belarus Segodnya’, Pavel Yakubovich. He emphasises that some

How should we filter these elements and save people from harm? Is it necessary to place bans or enhance media literacy? We cannot sit idly by. Russia and Belarus will cooperate in fighting manifestations of terrorism, extremism, drug addiction and child pornography on the Internet, notes Russia’s Vice Minister of Telecom and

The Information Ministry of Belarus and the Telecom and Mass Communications Ministry of Russia have signed in Mogilev a plan of action aiming to create a single information space of the Union State for 2016-2017 journalists fail to properly consider the impact of their work, wishing only to capture attention, whatever they may tell themselves. He adds, “Through their frequent thoughtlessness, they stir conflicts, which dangerously smoulder in people’s minds.” The overwhelming swathes of information present a threat, since information can be false and destructive.

Mass Communications, Alexey Volin. He noted that the accepted plan of work to create a common information space for the Union State provides for collaboration in several directions. According to Mr. Volin, the only way to reach an audience and readers is to provide high quality, interesting materials, across all themes. “Even stories about a state figure should be written well,

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OPEN FORMAT

so that readers keep the page open on their screen,” Mr. Volin stresses. Belarus and Russia enjoy great opportunities for collaboration between news agencies, and radio and film production teams. Mr. Volin believes that approaches to training of journalists must change, since university graduates sometimes lack the necessary skills for the sphere of modern media. He has suggested that a professional certificate may prove more efficient than a special higher education diploma. Professionalism is the major criterion for journalists’ work, as noted by heads of news agencies and participants of the Summer School of Journalism, which took place simultaneously with the 11th Belarusian Partnership for the Sake of the Future Forum. Is a truly unified global information space possible, with cultures and regional editions amalgamated? “Preserving national identity is very important to many people,” argues Armenpress News Agency Director Aram Ananyan. “Global variety is impossible without each unique fragment of the cultural mosaic. Each country and language should be revered. New technologies can actually

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help us display our traditional values, in all their variety.” Few would argue that developing modern technologies exerts significant impact on the information sphere. “Technologies dictate everything but they can’t replace journalists: robots cannot write information. At the same time, there’s much information and we must distinguish the key facts among the wider noise. It’s a true challenge,” Mr. Ananyan adds. According to the Head of the CIS and Baltic States Department at the TASS News Agency, Boris Grushin, news agencies remain the leading source of news, not only for domestic but foreign consumers. The General Director of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, Dmitry Zhuk, has warned novice journalists that ‘anyone can start a blog, attracting users, without grace of style’. It’s a challenge for professional journalists to stand apart from the flood of information on social networks, where everyone is ‘an editor.’ He is convinced that professionals are the ones with the exclusive skills. There’s no doubt that the 11th Belarusian International ‘Partnership

for the Future’ Media Forum, and the ‘Mass Media in Belarus’ exhibition have provided a major discussion platform. The events included presentations of editions and media expertise sharing, seminars, round table discussions, the Summer School of Journalism and acquaintance of guests with Belarusian sights. The Forum is a perfect venue for defining modern media trends. It has now ended, but cooperation shall continue, with joint projects, partnerships and the seeking of consensus (rather than aggressive showdown). These are the goals to which all participants aspire.

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The landmark media events, the 20th ‘Mass Media in Belarus’ international specialised exhibition and 11th Belarusian International Media ‘Partnership for the Future’ Forum, were attended by more than 300 experts from over 20 countries. The creation of international media-content and information security were key topics for forum participants. According to experts, journalists have a determining role to play in settling these tasks. By Vasily Kharitonov

MUTUAL BENEFIT

Vitaliy Pivovarchik

Nikolay Radoman, Belarusian senator, responsible for economic cooperation with Russia:

We must not decrease our level of interaction Mr. Radoman, you participated in the 1st Forum of Regions in Minsk, and also in the 2nd Forum of Regions when it was in Sochi. What do you expect from the 3rd Forum of the Union State which will be held again in Minsk in June? The Forums of Regions have already proved their importance; it is a useful form of co-operation between our countries. Each meeting gives new opportunities for dialogue with Russian colleagues on a mutually advantageous basis. For example, in Sochi, we established contacts with Amur Region. The delegation of the region has already visited Snov Agro-combine. I hope that in June our cooperation will reach a new scale. In total, about 300 contracts in various areas were signed at the last meeting, we expect similar from the Minsk forum. This time we have invited visitors to the national agricultural exhibition ‘Belagro-2016’ to discuss the general agrarian policy, and an impressive display of agrarian and industrial effects is planned. The 3rd forum will give a new impetus to the development of Russian-Be-

‘We do not need to compete, we complement each other’

larusian relations. Other countries, such as Kazakhstan, may also join us in the future, to the benefit of all.

To agree for the sake of our mutual advantage Russia is our main trading partner. We cooperate closely with Moscow and Smolensk, we actively expand our ties with St. Petersburg. We deliver meat, sausages, tinned meat and dairy products. The competition in foreign markets constantly grows and adds to the difficulties in trading. We are continually searching for new platforms to sell our goods. We have high hopes of the Eurasian Economic Union, including the common market of Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. And also on the cooperation of the agrarians in these countries, in order to enter third markets together. It will be easier with combined efforts to win contracts under the flag of the Eurasian Economic Union. Is it possible that a co-ordinated agricultural policy will exist within the limits of the Union State or EAEU? Currently this is not a robust policy. It needs uniformity in its rules, as well

as parity prices and identical conditions for the support of the agricultural sector and on production sales. As we’ve created the Union State and the EAEU, it is necessary to agree and substantiate a legislative base according to these agreements. We do not need to compete; we can complement each other.

Perspectives for growth Snov Agricultural Production Complex is the leader in the agriculture of Belarus. How was it possible to achieve such a level of effectiveness? I am only the third head in Snov for the 65 years of its history. The Hero of Socialist Labour, Yakov Aleksankin, headed it for 37 years. Then the Hero of Belarus, Mikhail Karchmit, came next. Snov is my life. I was born here, studied at school, and 39 years ago after graduation I returned. In our collective people are committed to their work. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters work here. The serious attitude to work and continuity is the secret of our success. During recent years we have been consolidating, annexing neighbou-

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ring unprofitable enterprises. It is a world trend for development in agriculture, and in our country many agricultural and industrial concerns do this as small companies cannot afford a fleet of highly effective, powerful, far-reaching machinery. They cannot build modern complexes and compete with the agricultural giants. ‘Snov’ was one of the first in Belarus that turned to a scheme of specialisation. In the fields we grow forage for farms. We make and process meat and milk. Snov’s tinned stewed meat is well-known and loved far beyond Belarus. Economic indicators of this agricultural production complex are at the level of European indicators. Are there reserves of growth? For almost three five-year programmes, we have managed to increase meat manufacture 2.6 times, milk by 2.8. Our livestock is currently at 14,000 cattle and 36,000 pigs. Productivity is very high: last year milk yields were almost 10,000 litres for one cow, and pigs gained weight by 780 grams a day. But there is room for improvement. Our experts constantly study, experiment and carry out breeding work. We search for the best ideas in Belarus and abroad. We actively cooperate with science institutes and researchand-production centres. Every year we sow testing fields with hundreds of grades of various crops. We look to see which seeds are suitable for us. We experiment in stockbreeding. Of course, not all bears fruit but it’s important to continue to develop. What about discipline in the collective? Production discipline is the basis for everything. After all it is technology. A worker does not need to invent anything; they only need to operate the machinery. We have already forgotten the times of ‘fight for crops’. Because a sowing or harvest campaign is a planned task in which reserves of fuel and spare parts are prepared in time. As a result, there are no emergency situations. Everything

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Belta

MUTUAL BENEFIT

Snov Agro-combine makes the best sausages

that we earn we invest in technology, the development of the social sphere and human capital.

Young people never want to leave here How did it happen that young people almost never move from Snov into the big cities?

complex has 1,900 workers, and there is a queue for each working place. We have a good school, a kindergarten, chain stores, including two branded stores with ‘special’ prices for our own products. Mobile shops visit remote villages every other day. We have a good consumer services centre. The city has a wonderful Recreation centre, the library of which is a

Russia is our main trading partner. We cooperate closely with Moscow and Smolensk, we actively expand out ties with St. Petersburg. We deliver meat, sausages, tinned meat and dairy products Living conditions in the agro-city are no worse than in the city. We build comfortable accommodation. Last year, 59 families of workers of the agro industrial complex celebrated their house warming. The waiting list for accommodation was reduced to 30 people. This year it will be reduced by a further third. The

centre of attraction for adults and children. Musical school, arts school, sports groups work there. All have the opportunity to go to the pool, fitness centre and gyms, all nearby. It must be said that even in Minsk not every resident has such fantastic infrastructure in their own district. By German Moskalenko

TOGETHER ARE THE BEST

Acting jointly Belarus and Russia realise dozens of joint projects in industry, science and elsewhere

ny mechanical operator would confirm: a modern car shall turn into a heap of dead metal without electronics. Chips and other electronic components — known as ‘brains’ — operate engines, brakes and transmissions, in addition to conditioner and janitors. This is the only way to make a car safe - including from the point of view of ecology and economics. The role of electronics will continue growing. With this in mind, a recent session of the Union State’s Council of Ministers (on May12th, 2016), a Belarusian-Russian scientific and technical programme was adopted: ‘Car Electronics’. Meanwhile, preparations for its realisation were launched much earlier. Integral JSC has become the basic enterprise for implementation of the project in Minsk. Its chips and other electronic devices — developed as part of realisation of other Union State’s scientific and technical programmes — are widely used in diverse branches. A concept of its further work was adopted at the session which featured participation of representatives of our two states’ industry ministries, the Standing Committee of the Union State, leading research organizations and

industrial enterprises. Certain performers of the outlined scientific and technical avenues will be named under a contest basis. From the Belarusian side, selection of participants of the programme is overseen by Integral and, in Russia — St. Petersburg’s Radar-MMS, known for its hi-tech developments in the transport sphere. What scientific and technical problems are supposed to be solved in coming years? It’s primarily necessary to achieve a technological level parity with western automobile machinery — relying on domestic developments and production. Shortly speaking, it’s important to provide a largescale import substitution in such a

major branch as automobile industry. With this in mind, four key directions of the joint scientific and technical search of Belarusian and Russian scientists and experts are defined: control systems of the movement of vehicles, intellectual systems of safety, a control system of electric equipment, systems of collection of information and sensors. The new programme has actually become a continuation of several development programmes of diesel automobile industry of the Union State; much owing to them, cooperation ties have been preserved in this major sphere. There are many similar examples of scientific and technical cooperation of Belarusian and Russian scientists and production workers: over 40 joint programmes are complete by now. Almost 10 are still being implemented and, the list was replenished with another four at the above mentioned session. Apart from ‘Car Electronics’, these include the ‘Technology-SG’ programme (aimed at development of devices for space equipment), the ‘Luch’ programme ( e n -

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TOGETHER ARE THE BEST visaging development of new nanostructural optic-electric devices, and the ‘Spinal Systems’ programme (focusing on new technologies of treatment for children suffering from severe congenital backbone deformations and injuries). Almost each of these programmes — envisaged for 3-4 years — is a continuation of the Belarusian-Russian cooperation in the certain sphere. ‘Luch’ continues the ‘Pramen’ programme finished in 2015 and the Director of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences’ Physics Institute — Nikolay Kazak — comments upon its results, “Hetero-

Above mentioned Integral JSC is a typical example. Being among the Union State’s leaders in the sphere of microelectronics, this company has almost completely formed its package of orders — operating in three shifts. This is a true phenomenon in our difficult economic times. The explanation is simple: Integral sees the basis for success in a consecutive performance of certain Union State scitech programmes. Owing to the latter, the company has succeeded to finance development of its latest technologies and devices. ‘Osnova’ (the Basis) aims to ensure technological safety of the Union

Integral sees the basis for success in a consecutive performance of certain Union State sci-tech programmes. Owing to the latter, the company has succeeded to finance development of its latest technologies and devices structure, laser rulers, solid-state laser radiators and light-emitting — developed by St. Petersburg’s Svetlana JSC and other Russian companies — are the basis for our development of final products: monolithic integrated chips of power amplifiers and converters of frequency, microwave transistors, a new laser radiator in the green zone of the spectrum, diode assemblies and pulse power supplies. Many of these devices have never been produced in the Union State. Accordingly, our joint researches aim at import substitution of high technologies.” Products — developed as part of the ‘Luch’ programme — will be used in systems of the global space communication, radar-location, mobile communication systems of a dual purpose, optical underwater and surface communication, laser television, medical and hydro-meteorological equipment. Importantly, many hitech developments have already ‘stepped in’ factory shops: competitive products are already being manufactured — ensuring plants’ operation and high salaries for many thousands of specialists.

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State. About 40 Belarusian and Russian partner enterprises have been involved and, as a result, 62 new chips, 8 new transistors and 16 new stabilisers have been developed. Their area of application involves underwater depths and space. It’s no need to comment how important it is not to depend on imports of foreign microelectronic components. In the field of machine-tool building, Belarus and Russia have achieved even much closer ties — establishing a joint engineering company: SoyuzStankoInzhiniring JSC. This decision — the first of the kind on the two states’ economic territory — has been approved at a joint session of the Belarusian and Russian industry ministries’ boards. The new structure unites the Belstankoinstrument Holding (with its 16 machine-tool enterprises) and Russian Stan Group "Stan which includes Stankostroyeniye NPO, Stankotekh JSC, the Ryazan Tool Building Plant and the Ivanovo Plant of Heavy Machine-Tool Building. The main goal is to ensure import substitution in this strategic

branch which is the base for other major branches of the economy. Russian and Belarusian heads of related enterprises have already visited each other to find the best schemes of cooperation. The first results are already seen: the Minsk Plant of Automatic Lines will soon deliver over 60 tools to process details of carriage carts to Russian customers. Cooperation in others spheres as part of the Union State is no less active. Adoption of a new programme of joint activities to overcome the Chernobyl consequences has become an important result of the Council of Ministers’ session in Mogilev — held for the fifth time. Heads of the Belarusian and Russian governments have agreed to increase allocations for their joint activity in this sphere. Earlier, three major specialised medical centres in Belarus and Russia which treat inhabitants of affected territories and liquidators have been created and equipped with use of the Union State’s money. An agreement has been achieved recently to make the complex medical care for citizens of our two states more available. Owing to implementation of similar Union State’s programmes, the two states’ common border with western countries has been modernised; at the moment, this work is being conducted on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Coverage of the Union State’s transport infrastructure in case of emergencies is another key direction. Moreover, many thousands of Belarusian and Russian young people have found new friends and have become stronger in their patriotic feelings as a result of their annual military patriotic changes of students of Suvorov and cadet military schools and classes. Such cooperation under the Union State’s assistance will be expanding in the future, with twenty new sci-tech and other Belarusian-Russian projects are under development. As the State Secretary of Union State — Grigory Rapota — has informed, a major share of the Union State’s budget is spent on these, with no cuts expected. By Vladimir Bibikov

science

Double portrait

When work is for wisdom

ost Russian scientists fit this profile: a man with a higher education, 47 years old, a candidate of science. They are usually engaged in natural-scientific or technical research in the state sector. The country has about 546,000 research assistants. Almost 56 percent of them are men. Only about 70 percent of them have a higher education, while others have a secondary vocational education or general secondary education. Junior scientific personnel take on posts as laboratory assistants and the like. As a rule, they are students or former pupils who did not manage to enter university immediately after high school. Clearly, these are not the people who ‘make’ science. The main characters here are doctors and especially candidates of science. The first represent the brains of scientific development, while the second are the ‘workhorses’. As a whole in the country,

doctors comprise just over 9 percent of all researchers while the number of candidates is over a quarter of all scientists. The average age of all researchers is 47, that of candidates 51 and doctors 63 years. More than half of all researchers work in the technical fields of science, and also in natural-scientific areas (29 percent). Humanitarian and agricultural fields of knowledge are the most unpopular today, around 4 percent of scientists work in these fields. In a special category are the young scientists. The Russian Academy of Sciences uses this term to refer to experts under 39 years old. It is an essential part of the Russian scientific potential and makes up almost 36 percent of all researchers. There are still few doctors among them- 2,6 percent of all doctors of sciences, while the candidates make up almost 30 percent. In the 90’s the number of young scientists was decreasing as they went abroad, however in recent years, the reverse has been observed.

The state has actively sought to increase the prestige of scientific work, to encourage the return of 'brains' to the country. In particular, this includes privileged mortgage lending rates and the free allocation of land for the construction of housing. In Novosibirsk Academgorodok, for example, a whole settlement for young scientists is under construction. Serious changes have been made to the financial position of scientists in the last 10 years. Today their average salary is 43,907 Roubles that is one third more than the average salary in the country as a whole. In 19 regions the salary exceeds the average Russian's.

n Belarus, 27,000 people are employed in scientific research and development, while 17,000 (40 percent) are women who are engaged directly in research work, others are technicians and support personnel. Every fifth researcher has a scientific degree, while every fourth is a young

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science scientist. According to estimates by the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus (BelStat), in 2015 the nominal salary of researchers and developers was Br8,818,000 (according to the present exchange rate this is hardly more than 31,000 Russian Roubles) that is in general higher than the average salary in the country of Br6,719,000. However, in the scientific sphere large differences in incomes exist depending on experience, talent and sphere of employment. The most profitable field is IT, where it is possible to earn several dozens of millions of Belarusian Roubles, while academic organizations offer more modest sums. In the general-republican bank of vacancies there are offers for junior research assistants earning Br2.5 to Br3.5 million, while principal research assistants with doctor's degrees and with the candidate's degree are offered salaries from Br3.3 to Br5 million. At the same time there are opportunities for additional multiplying coefficients, as well as surcharges for work experience, its complexity and scientific degree, there are also bonuses. Some extra or alternative pay is earned under contracts, including with foreign organizations. Talented young scientists and post-graduate students of Belarus may get presidential grants, which are given to them on a competitive basis for one year and can be comparable to a salary. For example, this year 82 postgraduate students will receive them. Two years ago on the initiative of the academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Zhores Alferov, the award for young Belarusian scientists was instituted in the NAS of Belarus, equivalent to $2,500. Last year it was given to the laboratory head of the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Andrey Ivanets, for unique materials for the purification of water. The housing issue is being solved, though not quickly. For example, one year ago 186 families, basically young, received apartments in a quarter of rented houses ‘Magistr’. By Tatiana Smoliakova, Yulia Vasilishina

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SCIENTISTS IN FIGURES AND FACTS

RUSSIA

BELARUS HAVE SCIENTIFIC DEGREE

PEOPLE

ARE ENGAGED IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES

PEOPLE

NUMBER OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS UNDER 35 YEARS OLD

AVERAGE SALARY RUSSIAN ROUBLES

BELARUSIAN ROUBLES

RUSSIAN ROUBLES

BELARUSIAN ROUBLES

AVERAGE SALARY IN YAMALO-NENETS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT

PREMIUM FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

MEDICINE In December, 2003 a new complex received new patients. The project, revived by Belarusians, was supported in the Union State, including with the help of budget funds. Today medical assistance is provided at the center on 19 directions in 10 departments. Per year, more than 13 thousand people undergo hospital treatment, up to 70 thousand people from 26 countries — polyclinic treatment.

According to world methods

In center of life The Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology in Gomel (the RSPC) is the largest in Belarus medical complex for research and treatment of the people exposed to radiation. Up to 70 thousand people undergo examination and hospital treatment here. Gomel scientists have created the base of the citizens’ diseases at the affected territories, and even ’the medical card’ of genetic peculiarities of the Belarusians has been drawn up.

t is never quite at the RSPC. It is always crowded here. People come to examination and treatment from far, from all regions of Belarus. A lot of Russians look to medical workers for help. Bryansk citizen Alexander Shilov also came to Gomel for the precise diagnosis: — Problems with immunity: suffer from different allergies. Wanted to go to Moscow for examination. But my cousin lives in Gomel, she has similar problems. She told me that the single

in Belarus department for immunology and allergology is operating at the RSPC of radiation medicine. She persuaded me to come. I hope that doctors will help me. The idea of creating a specialized medical institution at the affected territories emerged at once after the disaster at the Chernobyl NPS. The BSSR was chosen. But with disappearance of a big country, big projects also ceased to exist. At the beginning of the 2000s, a forgotten idea was returned to.

...Renal transplantation is carried out at the operating room. A 40years old Gomel citizen suffered from glomerulonephritis, which turned into nephatony. And it means constant connection to the haemodialysis apparatus. Now he will have the possibility to begin to live again, as they speak. Transplantology is a special marker of the medicine development level, thinks Oleg Petkevich, head of the RSPC transplantation coordination service: — Transplantation is not only an operation at the close control equipment by qualified specialists. It is organizing of the organ recovery service where legal, technical, time aspects are taken into account. Such a service has been created at our place and is working rather good, 160 renal transplantation operations have been carried out at the RSPC. One more achievement of the medical workers of the center is survivability after thyroid cancer operations — 99%. Namely this health problem was precipitated in many cases by Chernobyl radiation.

The world index is very high Haemotologist Irina Romashevskaya has been working at the Gomel center already for twelve years, practically from the day of its opening. Today she heads the hematology department for children. One of the best at the post-Soviet space. The treatment effectiveness criterion is the most rigid — survivability. The se cond chance is given to hundreds of chil-

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MEDICINE dren. During the work of the center, the doctors gained new possibilities to save people, says Irina Romashevskaya: — The main thing is that today we have more possibilities to disclose a disease at the earliest stage and to predict its development. Owing to what? Modern laboratory equipment and world methods allow to define genetic markers (subtypes) of cacoethic blood diseases quickly and quite precisely. We, doctors, gained the possibility ‘to see the disease in its face’.

health human, told us director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology Alexander Rozhko: — For example, there is a possibility to detect the people with high risk to develop breast cancer and ovarian carcinoma. To form potential risk groups, which at planned prophylaxis can minimize bad after-effects of these diseases. Geneticists are working at detecting the markers of acute and chronical oncological diseases

The Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology in Gomel (the RSPC) is the largest in Belarus medical complex for research and treatment of the people exposed to radiatio What is there on the map? The genetic one Today the RSPC of radiation medicine is the base for international scientific researches and conferences. At direct participation of talented Gomel scientists, the Single Russian-Belarussian Chernobyl Register has been created, which is an information basis of the organization of rendering targeted specialized medical aid. Owing to own methods, doctors in the center can not only diagnose but also predict the disease even at the relatively

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of blood. The data base of diseases of the people, living in the regions, affected from the accident on the CNPS, has been formed and is constantly updated. It allows to analyze influence of radiation contamination on the human organism in the long-term period — 20, 30, 50 years. By the way, unique researches at the laboratory of molecular genetics gave the possibility to diagnose genetic diseases characteristic for the Belarusian ethnos. But these are genetic indices that can be ‘read’ only by specialists. By Stanislav Galkovsky

By the way  From 1998 to 2010, three programmes of the Union State for overcoming the consequences of the catastrophe have been implemented. The total amount of financing made up more than 3.5 billion Russian Roubles. Owing to this programmes, there have been created the single regulatory space and general systems of rendering specialized medical aid to the citizens of two countries, affected from the accident. The Atlas of modern and predictive aspects of consequences of the accident at the CNPS has been created, including cartographic, analytical and reference material of modern condition and prognosis of radioactive contaminations for the period up to 2056.  Also there has been carried out reconstruction of the Medical Radiological Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Obninsk, reconstruction and fitting with equipment of the All-Russian Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine in SaintPetersburg. Grodno Plant of Medical Preparations in Skidel and the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology in Gomel have been created and fitted with participation of the Union State. The Single Russian-Belarussian Chernobyl Register has been created, which is an information basis of the organization of rendering targeted specialized medical aid.  In 2016 results of the fourth ‘Chernobyl’ programme will be drawn. The budget is more than 1.3 billion Russian Roubles. Targeted specialized medical aid has been rendered to more than 8000 liquidators of the consequences at the Chernobyl NPS in the course of this programme carrying out.

EDUCATION

Artur Prupas

Two years ago the unusual project ’Electronic school’ was launched in 11 Minsk educational institutions. The highlight of the experiment is the ’Student card’ which has already found favour in 15 ordinary schools and grammar schools of the capital city.

School is aiming at digital education

he innovation is responsible for the pass in the school building and the order of books in the library, it can help simplify the work in language laboratories and computer classrooms, and parents can keep the expenses of their child under control. But the basis of the project — electronic registers and grade books where one will not erase a poor school grade and will not hide ‘unsatisfactory’ grade for behavior, everything is in plain sight. Regions start to use this technology step by step. Even today in more than 2,040 ordinary schools, grammar schools and

other institutions teachers and students learn how to use online registers and grade books and are more willing to put a pad instead of a common book in the school bag. And in 2017 the ‘Electronic school’ should cover the entire country has repeatedly pointed out the Minister of Education Mihail Zhuravkov. Without exaggeration, almost every school can already consider itself involved in electronic school project, if besides having implemented new technology and programs in its learning process it continues to move forward, develop new approaches and involve sponsors. We should quote here the words of the BSUIR Deputy Vice-Rector for research and co-author of the program ‘Electronic

school’ Pavel Lis: “We are talking about a very broad concept which in addition to the online documentation includes modern equipment, the latest software and innovative online and web methology. In short, it’s a great initiative that promises to break down the idea of education with a pointer and chalk at the blackboard. But the main thing here is to simplify the work of teachers, releasing them from excessive paper load and saving time. Suppose someone says that you cannot do without documentation, however three schools in the country have already taken a chance and have passed over to digital education.” But, Pavel Lis said, we are talking only about grade books which have been cancelled in all classes accor-

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EDUCATION today many educational institutions in regions will give a head start on technology to their capital colleagues. Experts are sure that rural educational institutions will especially feel advantages of transition to ‘Electronic school’. Judge for yourself: it’s a great opportunity to solve the problem of shortage of teachers, expanding the possibilities of remote stu dies.

There is an electronic textbook-navigator! This piece of news was told us by deputy director for scientific and methodical work of the National Institute of Education of the Ministry of Education of Belarus Valentina Ginchuk. — Besides the fact that our institute has created the model, we have developed a model sample of the textbook navigator in organic chemistry for the10th and the

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Artur Prupas

ding to the statements of the parents. But it’s still impossible to do the same with paper school registers which are documents. However, the authors of the project do not doubt that such a radical step is not far away... Representatives of the company-developer of the electronic class register have more than once repeated: their technology is designed not so much for teachers, but for parents who can now observe the school life of their child in details — grades, absences from school and the current average grade. Moreover, the grades ‘ten’ — ‘six’ are converted into graphics in such a register. However, passing to work with new technologies, we must not forget about two key points. First — school procurement. It’s a problem, but still solvable. And already

And the learning process can become much more fun. Let’s take a grade book. There is an obvious bonus for children: Isn’t it great to get homework with an attached thematic movie or cartoon in a foreign language for the English lesson? By the way, in the capital’s experimental schools such ‘homework’ is a usual thing. The second important component of success — the willingness of teachers to change. It’s no good when a teacher is one or two steps behind his/her students. Therefore, the scientific and educational center ‘BSUIR Prestigio’ is an excellent solution to the problem, teachers can improve their skills in new technical devices, software and content. Graduates of the course receive a BSUIR certificate that will certify the following: the teacher has advanced knowledge to work with the new software. Simply put, it’s not a problem for such a teacher to control a board using a pad, as well as to control students’ pads from the board. By Olga Pasiyak

11th grades. The electronic manual of new generation coordinates the content of the textbook with other teaching materials. It seems that such publication will cause a great interest of students and teachers. After all, the key features of the textbook-navigator — a hypertext base, multimedia content, interactivity. Valentina Ginchuk drew attention to the fact that the development of the textbook-navigator didn’t mean that all paper textbooks would or should be replaced with electronic ones in the near future. Analysis of international experience shows that parallel use of paper and electronic textbooks has the greatest effect in the educational process. They complement each other. By the way, the majority of Belarusian teachers believe that such a model is the most appropriate one. This is the result of the national monitoring of the quality of secondary education which was held in the 2015-2016 academic year. As a result, 68 percent of surveyed teachers believe that paper and electronic textbooks should be used in parallel in the educational process. 28 percent of teachers adhere to the opinion that a school textbook should be only a paper-based one. And only 4 percent of teachers think that electronic textbook should completely replace the traditional one in the course of time.

CLOSE PEOPLE

Land and sky of Vladimir Shuglya Honorary Consul General of Belarus to Tyumen Region has deeply personal reasons for developing all-round contacts between West-Siberian Region and land of his ancestors

Poetry for him is a form of therapy. Entrusting his thoughts, feelings and experiences to paper, he simultaneously creates a spiritual stronghold, in which all is beautiful and harmonious

Vladimir Shuglya was born in 1947 and grew up in the Ural Mountains (in the city of Kyshtym, in Chelyabinsk Region). He considers that the genes of many Belarusians, not only his father and mother, have played an important role in his destiny. He told me, “The main thing is to know and to remember your patrimonial roots. You are not simply ‘I’, but a personality representing those who have lived and still live on your native land. I’ve spent much energy studying my family tree, going back to 1670 in the archives. I felt b etter,

o vich

boats. As we know, Belarus is rich in rivers and lakes. His father, a former front-line soldier, taught him to build a house from logs.

For the ‘Fourth Measurement’ poetic book Vladimir Shuglya was awarded in Belarus with ‘Gold Kupidon’ literary prize

Ivan Zhdan

he memor y of blo o d emerges in various ways, with some paying little attention to their family roots. As one poet noted, the ‘binding thread of times’ breaks. However, for centuries, Russians and Belarusians considered recognition of kinship as a sign of spirituality. For the Belarusian gentry, as well as artisans and, even peasants, it was a point of honour to know kin as far back as seven generations, at least. Belarusian territory, at the centre of Europe, has long been a place of cruel battle, with residents enduring the hardships of war far too often. Noble families were extensive, and those who performed notable deeds were long revered by relatives. The custom of esteeming ancestors is embodied in such novels as ‘Ears Under Your Sickle’ by Belarusian icon Vladimir Korotkevich. For Vladimir Shuglya, ancestral cultural traditions are vital. In the autumn 2013, when I was on a business trip in Tyumen, I toured his small ‘museum’ of exhibits from Belarus. His huge family tree (he has four children) was framed, including in a photo of his father and mother. Chatting, he recollected the native village of his father: Rutitsa in Korelichi District of Grodno Region, on the Ruta River. Its waters flow into the Servech, and then into the Niemen. In fact, his surname means ‘big boat’. Dolbenka boats were made from the whole trunk of an oak tree. It may be that Vladimir’s ancestors carved

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CLOSE PEOPLE as if planted more firmly in the ground, on coming to the native village of my father. I saw in the cemetery graves bearing the surname Shuglya and spent some time perusing them. When I returned to the village, I gathered five or six families and told them that we are related.” Friends often ask why he wants to research his family, knowing that he’s from ‘peasant stock’. Without glorious ancestors to uncover, many think the pastime fruitless. However, he is adamant that he wishes to know more about his roots. After all, thousands of Belarusians live in Tyumen Region, which is three times the size of France, having helped construct the city of Langepas. Vladimir notes that several generations live there, yet only about 50 officially identify themselves as Belarusian. As the Honorary Consul General of Belarus says, it’s impossible to count how many really live there.

he title of Honorary Consul General (the first such in the history of Belarusian diplomacy) was given to Vladimir Shuglya in July 2015. At the time, the media wrote that, in Moscow, the consular patent and exequatur (consent of recei ving state) had been given to the Honorary Consul General by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia, H.E. Mr. Igor Petrishenko, who commented, “For Vladimir Shuglya’s productive work as the Honorary Consul of Belarus in Tyumen, strengthening trade-economic and humanitarian cooperation between Belarus and Tyumen Region, the Government of Belarus has appointed him to a higher position.” At the same time, his consular district was expanded, to cover Tyumen, Omsk and Kurgan Regions. The former includes large parts of Khanty-Mansiysk and Yamalo-Nenets autonomous districts. The ambassador praised Mr. Shuglya’s work as the Honorary Consul of Belarus in Tyumen, since 2009, during which time the level of Belarusian exports to Tyumen Region rose

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2.6-fold, being worth $135 million (in equivalent). Mr. Shuglya noted that new Russian regions under his responsibility have great potential for developing cooperation with Belarus, and that their administration has shown desire to support such a move.” Warm feelings for Belarus help Russian Vladimir Shuglya work for the good of our two fraternal peoples. He emphasises, with pride, that well-known Siberian divisions fought the Nazis near Moscow in the winter of 1941, including Belarusians who had relocated to Siberia early in the beginning of the 20th century. In one of his poems, devoted to heroes, he wrote: ‘The Soul is inseparable from Minsk…/Korelichi … In the sky there is a border …/Fastened by blood unity/The soul soars over the Fatherland.’ Today, Mr. Shuglya’s rich life experience is being used for common benefit. He graduated from Sverdlovsk’s Institute of National Economics in 1970, then worked in trade for years, including in the late 1980s, heading the Chief Trade Administration of Tyumen Region Exe cutive Committee. In 1990, he created and headed the Mangazeya Holding Company, a trade house in Tyumen. A year later, he graduated from the Ural Institute of Social and Political Sciences with a degree in politology, and, in due course, successfully having done business, he sought major challenges.

et’s consider the work of Vladimir Shuglya, thanks to which Belarus and Western Siberia have become closer. A substantial press release from his office, prepared around the time that he was to receive the status of Honorary Consul General, states his responsibilities as ‘developing trade and economic, humanitarian and cultural ties between Belarus and Tyumen Region’. From the text, it’s easy to see the continuing progression in ties. The agreement between the Government of Tyumen Region and Minsk Region Executive Committee, on trade and economic, scientific and technical

and cultural cooperation, was signed in 2014, in Minsk, at the First Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. Today, with the Honorary Consul General’s support, we’ve set up much joint production, and enterprises of various forms of ownership operate in Tyumen Region. In particular, the Tyumen Lift Plant has been up and running since 2010. This joint venture assembles lifts and produces lift equipment, partnering Belarusian Mogilevliftmash. The Tyumen plant annually makes and sells up to 140 complete sets of its own assemblage. Mr. Shuglya’s special pride is TechnoTsentr LLC, the daughter company of TALK JSC. Since December 2010, TehnoTsentr (located in the village of Vinzili, in Tyumen Region) has been a dealer centre for Minsk Tractor Works, offering sales, repair and servicing of ‘Belarus’ tractors across Ural District. It is also the official dealer for many other enterprises: Trade House MTZ-ElAZ, Mozyr machine-building and Smorgon assembly plant. It also works with Bobruiskagromash, Dorelektromash, Lidagroprommash, Lidselmash, Belshina, Amkodor, and the Scientific-Practical Centre for Agriculture Mechanisation (at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus) among other Belarusian partners. In 2014, the Russian-Belarusian expo-dealer centre ‘Pyshminskaya Valley’ opened at the TehnoTsentr. The first all-Russia dealer conference of MTZ JSC was also held there, gathering more than forty representatives, from six trade houses across Russia, including the MTZ delegation. Various tractor models sell well in the region, as does a great deal of agricultural machinery. Gagarinskremtechpred dealership, in the village of Gagarino, in Ishim District, has been similarly engaged in the sale, repair and servicing of Belarusian agricultural machinery since 2011. It partners MTZ, Gomselmash, and Bobruiskagromash, assembling ‘PolesieIshim’ combine harvesters and ‘Belarus’ tractors, of all modifications, as well as round-bale presses.

The name MAZservice-Tyumen speaks for itself: this dealership of Minsk Automobile Plant is engaged in the sale and servicing of all MAZ machinery in the region. It concluded a contract to deliver over 200 buses of various brands to Tyumen in 2013, with delivery accomplished in 2014. The city’s ‘PATP-1’ service centre specifically services MAZ buses, of which there are almost 400. Krasnyi Oktyabr Wood-Processing Plant produces furniture using Belarusian components, while PKF AtlantAvto sells and services specialpurpose machinery made by Belarusian Avtodor, in Tyumen Region. Mr. Shuglya has been supporting the creation of trade houses in Tyumen, developing their liaison with Belarusian manufacturers. For example, Tyumen’s Belshina Trade House partners the wellknown enterprise from Bobruisk, selling various tyres and chambers: for passenger and cargo machinery. Style-T LLC partners such companies as Milavitsa and Belorusochka garment factory, supplying Tyumen chain stores selling women’s and men’s underwear. The Tyumen Central Department Store has also established relations with Belarusian manufacturers, selling our leather accessories, clothes, jersey items, home textiles, porcelain and crystal ware, toys and other goods. FOND Holding Company sells Belarusian products to Tyumen Region.

eveloping new paths of trade and economic relations between Belarus and Russia, Mr. Shuglya knows that strong ties rely on personal relations. One way in which integration is supported is through twin-city relations, between Belarusian urban settlements and those in Tyumen Region. A co-operative agreement in the fields of trade and economics, as well as humanitarian works and culture, was concluded between Tyumen and Brest in 2013, having begun in 1999. From 2013-2014, twinning agreements were signed between Tobolsk and Mogilev, between Zavodouko-

Ivan Zhdanovich

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Belarusian motive in Tyumen

vsk and Klimovichi, between Ishim and Bobruisk, and between Yalutorovsk and Lyakhovichi. Contracts on cooperation exist between the universities of Belarus and Tyumen Region, built on fruitful contacts between teachers, and promoting the exchange of students, as well as publication of joint textbooks and manuals. There has been joint participation at conferences, and exchange of experience to protect monuments and cultural heritage. Tyumen State University is liaising with the Belarusian State University (Minsk), the Frantsisk Skorina Gomel State University (Gomel) and the Polesie State University (Pinsk). The Tyumen State Oil and Gas University partners the Belarusian State Technological University (Minsk) and Tyumen State Academy of Culture, Arts and Social Technologies has concluded contracts with the Belarusian State University of Culture and

Arts (Minsk) and the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. Tyumen State University of Civil Engineering is working with the University of Grodno, while Tyumen State Medical Academy is liaising with Grodno State Medical University. Tyumen State Academy of Global Economic Management and Law is on friendly terms with the Belarusian State Economic University (Minsk). Meanwhile, the State Agricultural University of Northern Trans-Urals has three partners: the Belarusian State Academy of Agriculture (Gorki, Mogilev Region), the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University (Minsk) and Grodno State Agrarian University.

o matter how close our countries and peoples, we live in different states. While basic Russian TV channels are available to Belarusian TV viewers,

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CLOSE PEOPLE Russia’s remote regions lack objective information on life in Belarus. Accordingly, the Honorary Consul General has been working to promote greater knowledge of Belarus, via the press. Tyumen’s regional social-political newspaper, ‘Tyumenskaya Pravda’, (with a circulation of over 12,000 copies) has a Belarusian page under the name ‘Union — the Integration of Fraternal Peoples’, which is run every three months. On Mr. Shuglya’s initiative, since 2015, ‘Soyuznoe Veche’ newspaper has been delivered to the Tyumen Region: the edition of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

Belarusian folk choir ‘Lyanok’. As we say, birds of a feather flock together. The Honorary Consul General has enjoyed good opportunities to become acquainted with his fellow countrymen, having headed the National-Cultural Autonomy of Belarusians, created in 1997. He launched the ‘Union — the Integration of Fraternal Peoples’ public organisation in 2005, using it to help establish integration ties. Belarus renders much aid to Belarusian organizations abroad, wishing to encourage interaction, and, to make this cooperation effective, social ties are vital. Mr. Shuglya is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, as well

Many Belarusians live in Tyumen Region. Those arriving newly find no difficulty in conversing with those born and bred in Siberia, including Vladimir Shuglya. Apparently, close people intuitively turn to each other Mr. Shuglya is active in public life, through which he ‘feels his pulse’. He is a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, a member of the Executive Committee of the Public Chamber of the Tyumen Region, and heads the Commission on International Relations and Freedom of Conscience.

any Belarusians live in Tyumen Region. Those arriving newly find no difficulty in conversing with those born and bred in Siberia, including Vladimir Shuglya. ‘Golas Radzimy’ newspaper once wrote about Gomel native Sergey Yefimchik, who graduated from Leningrad and arrived to serve in the army in Tyumen in the 1980s, finding his wife, Svetlana, there. He thought that she was a native Siberian but, after their wedding, discovered that her grandfather was from Belarus. They are now retired but have long sung with

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as by the apparatus of the Commissioner for the Affairs of Religions and Nationalities, by the Republican Centre of National Cultures, and by the Embassy of Belarus to Russia. They understand Vladimir, agreeing that interaction is sure to yield fruit. People enjoy contact with their historical motherland, and are eager to take part in cultural exchanges. Belarus’ groups of Tyumen Region come to perform in Belarus. In November 2013, the Days of Belarusian Culture were held in Tyumen Region. We wrote in ‘Belarus’ magazine, and in ‘Golas Radzimy’ newspaper about our talented countrymen whom we met on the remote taiga, in the ‘Belarusian’ villages of Yermaki and Osinovka. It was a fascinating experience. Belarusian and Russian ethnographers have long been interested in this part of the world, and continue to be so, writing research papers and articles. We’d love to help produce books

on the life of Belarusians in Western Siberia. In Tyumen, we were told that, every year, the Stroitel Palace of National Cultures holds the ‘Raduga’ Children’s Festival of National Cultures, featuring young Belarusians. In the summer, there is the ‘Bridge of Friendship’ Regional Festival of National Cultures, which also draws Belarusian groups. They gather on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, their delicate voices blending. A gala concert by Belarusian groups from across the region ends the event.

uring the Days of Belarusian Culture, Mr. Shuglya has held workshops for those who admire his poetry. In fact, he is a member of the Union of Writers of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, and of the Union of Writers of Belarus, as well as of the St. Petersburg branch of the Union of Writers of Russia. In 2013, he gave us copies of his ‘Fourth Measurement’ and ‘Way Home’ collections. He also presented a CD of songs using his lyrical verse and featured on a televised news programme. Recently, he released a new edition, called ‘Living Time’, which continues the theme of civil commentary. In a major interview for edition №1-2014 of our magazine, Mr Shuglya mentioned his poetry repeatedly, speaking of modern ‘pain’, which led us to assume that he wrote as a form of therapy. We imagined him entrusting his thoughts, feelings and experiences to paper, creating a spiritual stronghold, in which all is beautiful and harmonious. A colleague notes of Mr. Shuglya, “Only those offering special service to the country become honorary consuls. Vladimir Fiodorovich has deserved this status through his work.” We cannot help but recall the great man’s poetry: ‘Pain oh pain — I carve verse/The lines will catch fire, like flame. Among terrestrial and vicious elements/I break a stone of heartlessness…’ By Ivan and Valentina Zhdanovich

INTERLACING OF FATES

Biography: Mogilev — Belgorod

ikolay Grashchenko, who was born in Mog i le v Reg ion’s Krichev District, is an Honoured Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation and the artistic leader of the Folk Creativity Centre. Moreover, he is an artistic producer of Victory Day festivities in Prokhorovka, in addition to writing scripts for these events. Of course, Mr. Grashchenko is pleased that district authorities trust him with such responsible events, including wreath laying, a solemn meeting, a concert, and various performances… Delegations from various countries are welcomed, including Belarusians, alongside the Great Patriotic War veterans, and artists. When the 70th anniversary of Victory was celebrated in Russia, ‘Vityaz’ pilots were present and, in 2014, the audience admired the talent of 500 wind instrument musicians. This year, the holiday in Prokhorovka was also a success. Each August, Nikolay Grashchenko drives to his native places; not to Darlivoe village (where his family used to live) but to Cherikov, located some 600km from Belgorod, and which is home to his sister, Zinaida — a former teacher and now a pensioner. Mr. Grashchenko admits Ivan Zhdanovich

Moments of recognition tend to delight and unite us, sharing memories of places travelled, significant times and mutual acquaintances from university. The same is true of sharing a common historical homeland, as we felt during our business trip to Russian Belgorod, where we chatted with the Belarusians who live there.

Nikolay Grashchenko, who was born in Mogilev Region’s Krichev District, is an Honoured Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation and the artistic leader of the Folk Creativity Centre

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INTERLACING OF FATES that he feels his soul relaxing when he arrives. His sister has a summer cottage, with a forest nearby, where berries and mushrooms can be gathered. The River Sozh is also not far, fed by the Udushka tributary. Mr. Grashchenko has so many wonderful stories...

My parents and my birth My parents, Arkady Nikolaevich and Vera Platonovna, come from Krichev District, which borders Russia’s Roslavl District. Our ancestors lived along the

father was so good at caring for cattle, cleaning standing stalls and cooking. He learnt everything from his hosts in Germany. He did everything meticulously. When a pig was slaughtered, he could make smoked meats, such as sausage. It’s normal for nations to learn something useful from each other. My father also played the white button accordion, brought from Germany. Probably, this button accordion brought him closer to my mother in 1945. She was cheerful and would sing lively couplets and

One of the favorite places for children on the territory of ‘Prokhorov Field’ State War-Historical Museum-Reserve is the area where examples of tanks and artillery armament of the Great Patriotic War period are presented border of Belarus and Russia. My mother comes from the village of Labkovichi, while my father is from the neighbouring village of Tikhil, which was located on Russian territory. When the war broke out, my father, who was just 19 at that time, was mobilised. He was taken prisoner, being moved to Germany. Fortunately, a good family took him from the camps and treated him humanely. He didn’t ever speak about the war — it was a taboo subject, but my mother was very talkative. She’d often sit us, five children, on the stove and tell us about the occupation, from when she was just 18. She related having witnessed attacks and retreats, and how awful it was to see the Germans leading our captive soldiers and officers along the road for two days. She told us of her delight in the Victory and that our father had avoided imprisonment for having being captured in Germany. Fate has its role to play. We learnt from our mother why our

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dance. She also played the drum really well. As the years passed, our father played the accordion far less, becoming tired; working as a farm machinery operator on a kolkhoz wasn’t easy. He was entrusted with the first tractor, as soon as it appeared on the Kommu-

nar kolkhoz. He was calm, sober-minded and steady, for which he was respected, and respectfully called Nikolaich. According to my mother, I was almost born in a sleigh, during the January frosts, when her labour pains occurred around 20km from Krichev. My father harnessed the horses, wrapped my mother in overcoats and set off. It seemed that I was in a hurry, so they had to stop near a small, isolated farmstead, at the first house. An old woman, Khronya, helped my mother deliver the baby. My parents bought their first small house close to this old woman. My brightest childhood recollections are connected with that farmstead. I remember, aged 6, exploring in the forest, close to the farmstead. I was very curious, from the earliest years. Of course, I became lost and was very frightened… My cries were heard by Uncle Artem, a patrolman with the railway, and he brought me home. I had to go to school 4km away, in Komarovka village, through snow and rain, despite the lack of roads. I also remember how, being the youngest, I was playing football barefoot, with other boys. We’d run home to help our mothers if we were called. There was no such notion as ‘I don’t want to help’. We ran home since not only work was waiting for us but our mother’s warm bread with its crisp crust. I’ll never forget the aroma of my mother’s bread…

Ivan Zhdanovich

INTERLACING OF FATES

Vitaly Slobodchuk: “There are two Belarusians among my artists”

From harmonica to button accordion I have a good ear for music since childhood and could well repeat melodies and songs. Of course, I wanted to learn to play a musical instrument. My uncle Pavel, the husband of my father’s sister, presented me with a harmonica. He himself played it well and saw my talent. That harmonica didn’t ‘respond’ immediately: before starting to play it I had to deal myself with degrees which were arranged chequer-wise rather than vertically, as in an ordinary instrument. Though I was seven years old I guessed this secret myself and began to play familiar melodies. I well remember how I was playing at parties which were organised at someone’s big house. Both young boys and girls asked my parents to let me go and someone would sit me on the shoulders and bring to the ‘club’.

I won’t forget how I was working as a shepherd in kolkhoz together with brother Volodya and how we entered the musical school in Krichev to study button accordion. If it were not for school deputy head teacher Mikhail Levit I wouldn’t probably have become a professional musician. Due to him I demonstrated persistence of the character and learnt to play the button accordion after playing harmonica. After six months of studies at musical school my teacher told me that I wouldn’t learn anything. I began to study 10 hours a day, before classes and after. By the end of the academic year I was ranked second at the regional contest of button accordion players. Now I understand how my teacher was pleased with my success. However, I didn’t finish the musical school, since I perceived the disease of my favourite teacher as a personal tragedy. Moreover, at that time I already had a secondary education certificate, so it was high time to move further.

I went to Mogilev and entered the conducting and choir department at the musical college. I studied a year and then went to the army. This was 1968. I remember this time well, as if it was yesterday: my T-62 tank, study time in Borisov and how our separate fighter unit was going to Slovakia through the whole Ukrainian territory from May to August. I also well remember how I was playing ‘Moscow Nights’ and ‘Katyusha’ for Slovaks using my button accordion. When I recollect those days I involuntarily smile: my ‘Rostov-na-Donu’ button accordion was a part of ammunition load and ‘travelled’ with me in the tank.

Bogatyrs of the Neva River I graduated from the musical college in Mogilev with honours, worked a little bit at a state farm and technical college but had no desire to continue further. I understood that I couldn’t walk over my parents, so I went to submit my docu-

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INTERLACING OF FATES ments to the Culture Institute’s correspondence department in Leningrad. The enrolment board proposed me full-time education, since the enrolment competition was 6 candidates per place and I had definite advantages: a musical college with honours and army service. Moreover, I was an alternate member of the CPSU [Communist Party of the Soviet Union]. I didn’t hesitate much and wrote an application to study at the conducting and choir department. This happened in the room of Prof. Ivan Poltavtsev, who headed the choir conducting chair at that time. He impressed me greatly saying that I’m a worthy candidate to enter the full-time courses. I was admired by the people I’ve seen within the walls of the institute — all were beautiful, intelligent and talented. Moreover, Leningrad with its Winter Palace, beautiful Neva River, the Palace Embankment, St. Peter and Paul Fortress, the Fontanka and other sites greatly allured me. I thought that it’s much better to live and study here for five years than to attend sessions twice a year. I was lucky since I managed to become employed as an institute street cleaner. I used to sweep the Palace Embankment for two years where our university is still being situated. For this I was given a room in the basement of the institute which had its small housing stock. I had to wake up at 3a.m. and took the brush… Of course, I wanted to sleep during lectures but I tried to go to sleep earlier if there were no concerts and parties. In the course of time I got used to such regime. Being at the institute I fell in love with my would-be wife, Alla. We got married bring students of the next-to-the-last year. On the day of our marriage, November 2nd, 1975, snow was already lying in Leningrad and I well remember how Alla gathered it into her white shoes… We’ve chosen the Belgorod cultural and educational college as our appointment place where a department of folk choir was opened. My wife, an honorary worker of the secondary professional

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education of the Russian Federation, still works there. We, two young graduates of the Leningrad State Culture Institute, enrolled first students of this department. I remember how we were proud of this and we were very pleased. Though it was difficult from the material point of view we didn’t lose our heart. At first, we rented a house and then were given a room at the hostel when I began to head an amateur ensemble at the sixth professional technical college. There I also became a head of the Komsomol organization and worked in the Komsomol’s regional committee, the regional committee of the party and director of the Yubileiny House of Culture. I headed the Belgorod musical college for 23 years and now returned to the Yubileiny which houses our Folk Creativity Centre, We’ve lived with Alla 40 years and celebrated our ‘ruby’ wedding. We have two adult children: daughter Lyudmila and son Ilya — also musicians. Lyudmila is a folklorist by education and a candidate of sciences while Ilya is a flute player, an orchestra artist and a soundman of the Belgorod State Philharmonic Society. I’m proud that he is also an organ keeper. He has passed internship in Germany and now adjusts this unique instrument. The organ was made by Germans when the philharmonic new building was erected. A couple of years ago they visited us and were pleasingly surprised with the good condition of the instrument.

with Director of the Belgorod State Academic Drama Theatre (named after M.S. Shchepkin), Vitaly Slobodchuk. To be more exact, our families have been on friendly terms for thirty years already. His wife, Galina, comes from Belarus; her father, General Mikhail Khorek, was born in Baranovichi. He was fighting during the war and returned home in 1945. Galina’s mother died in 1941 and her father married for the second time and took his daughter and son Gennady from Baranovichi in 1947, thus gathering the whole family. This is a separate story. However, he died early, at 56. Galina told us that her grandfather worked at the railway station in Baranovichi and was awarded the Lenin Order.

The Slobodchuk family In my life I have met Belarusians many times. Several Belarusians were working at the musical college when I was its head and now two Belarusian women are working in our centre. I also make friends

Galina and Vitaly Slobodchuk

Each year we gather after festive events in Prokhorovka, dedicated to the Victory Day. Of course, we recollect our relatives who have already passed away. My parents have also died. Meanwhile, the Slobodchuki family got acquainted through music, just like Alla and I. Galina was playing the piano while Vitaly was playing the violin. Interestingly, but he is likely to be a Belarusian too, since his father comes from Smolensk and previously this territory belonged to Belarus. The Victory Day is a sacred holiday and is a double celebration for Vitaly Slobodchuk, who was told that he had been ‘born twice’. During fierce battles, his heavily pregnant mother hid with her six children and others in a cellar. On emerging from the cellar, a shell fragment hit her hand, which brought on the final stages of labour; Vitaly was then delivered in the cellar, upon sacks of potatoes. When Germans were retreating, his mother began travelling with her children to Belgorod, to try and save her daughters from being captured to Germany. She was placed in a horse-drawn cart, while the oldest of her daughters, aged 16, carried newborn Vitaly. However, his sister began to fear that Soviet soldiers looking at her would think that she had delivered a German child, so she hid Vitaly in crushed reeds during a river crossing via a pontoon bridge. She left him there and hurried to catch the cart but, realising that she’d have to explain everything to her mother when the time came to feed the baby, she returned. In this way, he was born twice, as his sister often reminded him: once by his mother and the next by her hand. Vitaly was born on August 14th, 1943 while Belgorod was liberated on August 5th. Vitaly can’t hold back his tears when he tells this dramatic story, together with Alla and Galina we also cry. Meanwhile, in general, he is cheerful, joyous and amusing. I’m proud of my friend and my friendship with his family. He once said that we can’t even quarrel with each other. This is true. Vitaly managed to make

Ivan Zhdanovich

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Prokhorovka, 2015

his way in life from Belgorod’s gang district of Peski where one could have been beaten because of going with a violin. He says that the violin has ‘created’ him. His parents were ordinary people and he began to play with orchestras from the second year at the musical college while also playing at weddings and funerals, and thus helped his mother… They had many interesting moments in their life with Galina. One of them was connected with Galina’s letting her husband to study at full-time higher theatrical courses in Moscow. At that time, he was already 42 years old and had children. Of course, they had difficult but everyone has them… Vitaly Slobodchuk is also skilful in managing the theatre and he is a right man in the right place in the position of theatre director. Best stage managers of

Russia bring their performances to our theatre. Belarusian Alexey Dudarev’s ‘Common Soldiers’ play was also staged here — a good performance. The theatre is definitely experiencing its flourish, with full houses following one after another and tickets selling like hot cakes. It also hosts ‘Actors of Russia — to Mikhail Shchepkin’ Festival. According to Vitaly, it’s important for Belgorod and the whole Russia. In July 2007, Mr. Slobodchuk was awarded the ‘Honorary Citizen of the City of Belgorod’ title for his contribution into theatrical art. This is my friend! Moreover, Mr. Slobodchuk has also brought performances to ‘Belaya Vezha’ Festival twice and they became prize winners. I can speak much about the family of Slobodchuki, their children and grandchildren. They are good people!

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BEAUTY WILL SAVE

Life goes on Mr. Grashchenko also tells us about ties with his colleagues in the sphere of culture, particularly about ‘Khotmyzhskaya Autumn’ international folklore festival, held every other year in Borisov District’s Khotmyzhsk in Belgorod Region. According to Anna Kalashnikova, one of the heads of the Fold Creativity Centre (born in Begoml), last year, this event brought together over 50 creative groups of folk music, song and dance, 159 masters of decorative-and-applied art and amateur artists from Vitebsk, Mogilev, Minsk, Gomel and other regions. Meanwhile, Russia was presented by Belgorod, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Kursk, Rostov, Tambov regions, as well as Rostov-on-Don, Vladimir and Moscow. On September 18th, when the festival was launched, an agreement was signed in Sochi at the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia between the authorities of Belgorod Region and the Belarusian Government on trade-economic, sci-tech and cultural cooperation for five years. It says that the sides should create the necessary organizational, financial-economic and legal conditions for the functioning of joint enterprises, developments and implementation of joint projects and programmes, which are of mutual interest. They should also provide participation of enterprises in trade fairs, exhibitions, auctions and other events which are held. This also includes exchange of delegations, specialists in various branches of trade-economic and other activities. The sides will also promote the development of collaboration in the sphere of sci-tech activity, culture and social sphere. Moreover, interaction between national-cultural societies is activated, in addition to youth and other public organizations, with regular exchange of creative groups. We remember well our positive feelings from the trip to Belgorod Region which coincided with such an important event as the 2nd Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus, strengthening our relations and friendship. Friendship between our countries and nations is known to be strong by

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personal contacts of people. We had an opportunity to again make sure in this during our visit to Belgorod. Not only Belarusians were among our good acquaintances, but also their friends and relatives. We’ve already told on the pages of our magazine (#11-2015) about the meeting with brother Oleg Lugovskoy, former navigator pilot and a son of the battlefront veteran who has been to Belarus several times, particularly at the military aerodrome in Machulishchi, near Minsk, and his involvement in the Great Patriotic War. Nikolay Pyshnev, an Honoured Pilot of Russia and our old friend, who now lives with his family in the Dubovoe, near Belgorod, also deserves special attention. Like Mr. Grashchenko is proud of his friendship with Vitaly and Galina Slobodchuki, we’re also pleased with our enduring friendship with Nikolay and Alla Pyshnevy. Though we don’t meet very often modern technologies enable us to see each other and exchange news. We’re proud that Nikolay has raised from a flight instructor of the Volchansk aviation pilot school DOSAAF (in Kharkov Region) to the level of the international class pilot, to command assignments, while constantly improving his qualification. He was the first to lay air routes from Yakutsk to the USA, China and Bulgaria (as a commander of the aircraft). Moreover, he also flew around 13,000 hours accident-free. At www.yakutskhistory.net one can read: Nikolay Alexeevich received access towards instructor work and prepared 20 pilots, having mastered flights at Tu-154 aircraft. He had to transport governmental delegations of Russia. After his return from Yakutsk he worked as deputy director general of Belgorod aviation enterprise JSC and often visited Minsk on business. Moreover, Nikolay Pyshnev is a wonderful story-teller! A whole book can be written about his exciting life of the pilot, his friends, among whom there were also Belarusian. Nikolay plans such a book but now he has to help children bring up his grandson Nikolay. He says that the most important is that sky was peaceful. By Ivan and Valentina Zhdanovich

Sakura in blossom An avenue of sakura has been planted in Minsk. 120 saplings presented by Japanese JT are now growing in the Friendship of Nations Park, symbolising neighbourly relations between Belarus and Japan

‘H

anami’ — or the process of enjoying sakura — is among Japan’s best-known traditions. Depending on the weather, blossoming can last up to several weeks, or just a few days. “Even a minor wind can dislodge sakura flowers, leaving the ground carpeted with white petals, reminding us of the transiency of life and beauty,” noted Irina Lampe, of the Hagakure Public Association of Oriental Culture and Traditions, speaking at the opening of the avenue. The tradition may find its place in Belarus, especially as the avenue is symbolically located near the Victims of Chernobyl memorial and the Stone of Hiroshima’s Peace (located near the chapel honouring the Mother of God’s In Search of the Perishing icon). The Deputy Emergency Minister, Gennady Lasuta, commented, “This event confirms our common radiation problems and adherence to openness for the international community in this sphere, as well as readiness to render all possible assistance to states which face similar challenges.” The Charge d’Affaires of Japan to Belarus, Takao Asamura, expressed hope that our sad experience would strengthen our countries’ aspiration to make the world more secure for future generations. By Nadezhda Dementieva

FRATERNITY

Belarusians from the Baikal Lake area appealed city authorities of Irkutsk to set up twin city relations with Belarusian cities and even gave reasons why Vitebsk can become a good variant for such collaboration

here’re many various Belarusian organizations in Russia and there’re plenty of reasons for this, since, according to recent data, the number of Belarusians in the brotherly country exceeds 500,000. Meanwhile, writer Valery Kazakov, who headed the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of the Belarusians in Russia since 2010, their number can be boldly multiplied by 3-fold: our cultures and languages are very close, so assimilation processes of Belarusians are very quick in the Russian-language environment. The Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of the Belarusians in Russia was established on April 24th, 1999, in line with the Federal Law of the Russian Federation ‘On National and Cultural Autonomy’ and was registered at the Russian Justice Ministry on August 6th, 1999. Frantishek Kovrigo was elected its first chairman at the first congress while now it’s headed by Prof. Sergey Kandybovich, Doctor of Sciences, who was born in Minsk. He was elected at

Beauty of folk diplomacy the sixth congress which brought together representatives of almost thirty national-cultural autonomies — members of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy. The congress was held a year ago — on May 22nd, 2015, at the Moscow House of Nationalities. The same congress elected Irkutsk’s Oleg Rudakov as deputy chairman of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of the Belarusians in Russia. There was time when he was called ‘the major Belarusian in the Baikal area’. Born in Vitebsk he set up the Irkutsk Association of Belarusian Culture (named after Yan Chersky) regional public organization together with his like-minded fellows. He headed it for a long time, until 2013, when this position was occupied by Alena Sipakova. Now, Oleg Rudakov is an honorary member of the Batskaushchyna (Fatherland) Association of Belarusians (elected at the session in 2013 in Minsk) and a member of the Vyalikaya Rada (the Great Council). Mr. Rudakov sent an appeal to our editorial office, addressed to the Mayor of Irkutsk, Dmitry Berdnikov. Before stating his proposal, Mr. Rudakov told us in brief about his public work, aimed to

unite Belarusians of the Baikal Lake area into a single cultural diaspora. Much effort has been already made in this respect. Back in September 1995, Mr. Rudakov was a delegate at the 4th congress of the Belarusian Language Society in Minsk and made a report about the life of Belarusians in Siberia. In November, he began to collect the core of the future society in Irkutsk. “Over 20 years we’ve conducted lots of socially important events and cultural-enlightening holidays,” notes Mr. Rudakov. “The society in Irkutsk worked across 20 major areas, with big attention paid to work with war veterans, youth and children. Due to the activity of our society the Belarusians of Irkutsk could use their constitutional right for revival, preservation and development of cultural traditions of their ancestors and the right to study their native language and historical legacy.” Oleg Rudakov has taken part in various scientific conferences, held in Minsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Moscow. He has several dozen publications and scientific works. In December 2010, he organized an international scientific-practical conference in Irkutsk, entitled ‘The 100th

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FRATERNITY Anniversary of the Stolypin Reform, the Most Massive Resettlement of Belarusians into the Baikal Lake Area’, which attracted the attention of scientists from Minsk, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk, alongside local historians from Belarusian villages, located in Irkutsk Region. Mr. Rudakov was awarded diplomas, certificates and acknowledgements, including at the governmental level, both from the Russian and Belarusian sides, for his selfless labour. In spring 2010, he was awarded the Frantsisk Skorina Award of the Belarusian Government and, in 2011, was awarded a jubilee medal (regional) and a badge of honour (city), dedicated to

between Irkutsk and Belarusian city of Vitebsk while the Belarusian diaspora will facilitate strengthening and expansion of multi-faceted ties. You can boldly rely on our activity’. Then Mr. Rudakov gives reasons for his choice in favour of the city on the Dvina River. He believes that long and solid ties have existed between Irkutsk and Vitebsk. For example, these were set up by two scientists: Mikola (Nikolay) Vitkovsky — an archaeologist, a museum conservator (1874) and a member of the selection committee of the Russian Geographical Society’s Eastern Siberian branch — and Yan (Ivan) Chersky — a geologist, geographer and the Baikal Lake researcher. Both were

Since Irkutsk has had long historical and cultural ties with Belarus, in my opinion, it would be appropriate to establish twin city relations between Irkutsk and Belarusian city of Vitebsk Irkutsk’s 350th anniversary. It’s important that Mr. Rudakov doesn’t cling to power. “Having prepared a young generation which was brought up in the organization I decided to transfer the reins of power in the Belarusian Culture Society of Irkutsk to the younger generation yet I’m actively working in the Belarusian movement aiming to preserve and develop the Belarusian culture.” Now, two public Belarusian organizations are operating in Irkutsk — the Belarusian Culture Society of Irkutsk and Kirivichi Youth Club — and this is partly the merit of Mr. Rudakov. According to him, both organizations have their own core groups, creative powers and are moving in one direction while fulfilling slightly different tasks. The essence of Mr. Rudakov’s proposal is as follows: ‘Since Irkutsk has had long historical and cultural ties with Belarus, in my opinion, it would be appropriate to establish twin city relations

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born not far from Vitebsk: the first — in Mokshino village of Surazhsky District (26km from Vitebsk) while the second — in Svolna estate of Drissensky District (150km from Vitebsk). Both took part in the 1863 rebellion on the Belarusian territory and were in Vitebsk before being sent to exile. By a twist of fate they found themselves in Irkutsk where they became great scientists. Yan Chersky arrived in autumn 1871 while Mikola Vitkovsky came in 1873. Both died in Siberia. Moreover, Yan Chersky’s wife, Mavra Pavlovna, left for Vitebsk after her husband’s death (in 1892) and lived there until 1935. The house of Mavra Cherskaya has also preserved in Vitebsk. According to Mr. Rudakov, now negotiations are underway in order to create in that house a museum of the Chersky family, as well as of other Belarusians in Siberia who became famous researchers. The second layer of ties is realities of the Great Patriotic War. Many Irkutsk res-

idents took part in the famous Operation Bagration which launched the liberation of Belarus. Irkutsk soldiers were fighting near Vitebsk and Polotsk in fierce battles. The Belarusians in Irkutsk have already collected materials and conducted some research on this topic. Moreover, the Vitebsk guard missile division, famous in Irkutsk, also took part in that operation; at that time, it was an artillery division which liberated Vitebsk and was later awarded the title ‘Vitebsk guard division’. After the war it became a missile guard (having undergone equipment) and was dislocated in Vitebsk Region. After the collapse of the Soviet Union missile troops were withdrawn from Belarus and sent to Irkutsk. Mr. Rudakov’s third argument is that ‘the current time also prompts to choose the regional city of Vitebsk as a twin city for Irkutsk. This city boasts a range of famous plants and enterprises: Vityaz Television Plant, Vitex cosmetic company, Marko and Belwest footwear factories and many others. Some of these have already found their way to our city, with Belwest and Vitebsk Flax Concern opening their representations’. Mr. Rudakov’s merit is also that cultural ties have been already set up between the cities. For example, Irkutsk’s ‘Krivichi’ ensemble of authentic song was invited to the ‘Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk’ Festival in 2011 and became a laureate of the Festival of Arts of Belarusians of the World. Moreover, in 2012, the ‘Krivichi’ ensemble took part in celebrations of Polotsk’s 1150th anniversary in Vitebsk Region. “Of course, if the cities become twin cities, our cultural, economic and public ties will significantly deepen and expand,” Mr. Rudakov is convinced. “For example, the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theatre in Vitebsk can have tours in Irkutsk. I hope that the opening of the Chersky house-museum in Vitebsk will be accelerated and other important projects will be also developed.” Time will show whether Oleg Rudakov’s dreams and proposal will come true… By Ivan Ivanov

CULTURE UNITES

Sergey Loziuk

Along the path of Pesnyar

Literary Spain is known by Cervantes and Don Quixote, Belgium by Till Eulenspiegel, Italy by Dante and his Divine Comedy, England by Shakespeare. What is known in the world about Belarusian classical literature? The answer is evident: literary Belarus is associated primarily with Yanka Kupala. The traces of our Belarusian ‘Pesnyar’ can be found all over the world. During his life, in 1932, a public library in Brazil was named after him and the Belarusian Cultural Centre in India also bears the name of Yanka Kupala.

monument to the poet is installed in New York’s Arrow Park, close to the figures of Walt Whitman and Taras Shevchenko. In 2012, a square in Israeli Ashdod was named after Yanka Kupala, while two years ago, a memorial plaque honouring the Belarusian

classical writer was unveiled in Riga. In 2017, a monument to the poet appeared in Tatarstan, with representatives of the Belarusian diaspora providing assistance in this endeavour. The instalment of the Kupala monument in Pechishchi, where the poet used to live during his evacuation, and where his museum is currently operating, is only one of the many initiatives to be realised by the Yanka Kupala State

Li-terary Museum in Minsk together with the Belarusian diaspora in Russia. These days, Yelena Lyashkovich, the Director of the museum and Sergey Kandybovich, Chair of the Council of the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy of Belarusians in Russia, have signed a cooperative agreement. According to Ms. Lyashkovich, this document is of a practical nature. “I’m very pleased that collaboration between our museum and the Belarusians of Russia is beginning so fruitfully.” The design of the monument is being prepared by the sculptor Pavel Voinitsky [he is also an author of the Yanka Kupala memorial plaque in Riga] free of charge. Now, we need to find an architect who will develop the concept on land improvement in Pechishchi. …Yanka Kupala found himself in Pechishchi in September 1941. In June 1942, he left for Moscow to celebrate his 60th birthday in his circle of writers. On June 28th, a tragic telegram arrived in Pechishchi telling of his death… Thirty three years later, Russia’s only museum to this writer was opened here, in Tatarstan. A lamp shade, a bed, a bookcase, chairs and a loud-speaker have been preserved in his flat from Kupala’s era. Remarkably, at that time, there were only two loud-speakers in Pechishchi: one — in the rural council and the other one in Kupala’s flat. The museum’s exhibition also showcases Kupala’s suitcase, a walking cane, a pipe and some of his clothes. The weighty contribution to the collection of Pesnyar’s memory was made by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Belarus to Tatarstan and the Chairman of the Association of Kazan Belarusians, Sergey Marudenko. He has headed this association for more than 11 years and is a frequent guest to Belarus. “I’m also a Belarusian, being born in Mogilev Region but found myself in Kazan by a twist of fate. My elder sister now resides in Minsk and my younger sister lives in Mogilev, so I don’t forget about my homeland and visit at every opportunity,” he tells us.

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CULTURE UNITES

Smell of books

he virtual reading room has been active for one week, and already six people have visited it. I didn’t imagine that I would find anyone here in the morning on a week-day. However, there was one visitor. It was Nikolay Vlasyuk, architect of the enterprise Brestrestavratsiyaproekt, he was subscribing to the library’s reading room. He urgently needed to find specific literature on the subject of his research. Registration is quick, and the librarian runs a special programme. A user friendly interface appears on the screen. The necessary book or document can be found quickly. If it is unavailable it will be ordered, as in a usual library. Director of the centre, Yelena Maslova, explains the principle of how it works, “The Yeltsin Presidential Library in St. Petersburg opened in 2009. It contains only digitized documents which were not previously available to a wide range of readers. In particular, they include the most ancient books from the 11th-

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12th centuries onwards, ancient historical documents which are important for research, modern literature, research which was held at the time of the Russian Empire and during the times of the USSR. In total there are up to 400,000 units of storage. Remote reading rooms are created so that people living in distant places can use them. There are 170 such places in all.” The 400,000 books are not all publicly available. Many need to be ordered using the library’s own ordering system, which can usually deliver the item digitally in less than 15 minutes. Eight people can use the system at the same time. According to Yelena Maslova, despite the fact that the resource is virtual, books can be examined using the three-dimensional view, “We see the book exactly as it is, including its cover, all we are lacking is the feel and smell of it. When we turn the pages, we even see notes on edges which were made 100-200 years ago...” In Brest, the reading room opened at the end of November during celebratory activities devoted to the 90th an-

Brest residents are now able to visit the Yeltsin Presidential Library which has been operating for six years in… St. Petersburg. The Library’s remote reading room opened here, in the Russian centre of science and culture. niversary of national diplomacy. It is actually the second remote reading room of the St. Petersburg library in Belarus. The first opened in 2010 in Minsk. “Our reading room is certain to generate great interest,” Yelena says. “The library has a collection devoted to relations between Russia and Belarus from ancient times to the present. It will certainly attract the attention of researchers of this theme.” The expansion of the network of reading rooms opens new horizons for the Yeltsin Presidential Library. One of the oldest libraries of Belarus in Brest is the M.Gorky centre. Yelena Maslova says that they already have plans to transfer interesting books, researches and documents into digital format there. She confirms there are plans to establish the same interaction with the museums of Brest, “As well as the digitization of printed editions, there is the digitisation of rarities and artefacts to consider. For example, imagine such a project for the Brest Fortress, regional museum of local lore with their documents and exhibits... By Alexander Mityukov

PERSON

Victoria Azarenko:

‘When I come to Minsk, my grandmother babies me’

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PERSON

On meeting fans at Minsk’s Palace of Tennis, the famous Belarusian sportswoman comments on her way to prepare for matches, admits that she not always obeys her mother and says that dreams of reading Dostoyevsky

he chances of Russians to defeat the Belarusian team in a home match of the Fed Cup have decreased after it was announced that one of the strongest tennis players of the planet — Victoria Azarenko — will play for the team (Belarusians then defeated Russians — 3:2). Victoria spoke of her decision to go to Moscow while talking to fans in Minsk. The hall at the Palace of Tennis was overcrowded, with some fans failing to find places on tribunes — sitting on the floor. “I am 26 year old and I do not always obey my mother — though I should have,” Victoria admitted. “As regards my grandmother, my health is her major focus. She all time repeats that I’m too slim. When I come to Minsk, she cooks many different delicacies for me to eat. It’s impossible to reject them! I come home just to have a rest jointly with my family. I organise master classes or meetings of the kind not for a façade: I truly appreciate them.” Who braids you? You might fail to believe, but I do this myself. In the childhood, my grandmother braided but — when my hair became too long — I had to learn doing this on my own. How much training is needed to achieve success on court?

It’s not so important how much time you spend on training. Its efficiency is the key. It’s better to train qualitatively for just two hours than to simply kick a ball with the racket for 5-6 hours. How are you preparing emotionally for matches? Everything depends on what sort of match is planned, on my state and the time when it is played. If a match is scheduled for the evening, I would watch a comedy or some new musical clips. I usually listen to music. Warms-up are accompanied with dances. This is how I’m emotionally preparing. A doping scandal with Maria Sharapova’s participation has created much stir. What is your attitude? I’ve not investigated the details, so I’d make no conclusions. Anyway, I can asset that each athlete has their own methods of preparation which should not be viewed categorically. Who is your main rival today? It’s more difficult to play against Serena Williams. However, we are rivals on court only; outside it, we enjoy excellent relations. Which book have you read recently? I mostly read articles on medicine and especially psychology. I need this for the sport. The latest book — which I have read — is authored by my friend, volleyball player Gabriel Rees. I’d love to read Dostoyevsky but lack time. He is a serious writer and it’s important to get prepared for reading his works.

Nadezhda Ponkratova

By Kristina Khilko

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ONCOMING MOTION

At the National Art Museum of Belarus

ART UNITES SOULFULLY 50

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ONCOMING MOTION

At the recent ‘Heroism and lyricism of the past century’ exhibition at the National Art Museum of Belarus more than 40 works of Russian painting have been presented. How light this palette is! Famous Russian artists Alexey and Sergey Tkachevs have lived and worked in Belarus for a long time. Grigory Nissky was born in Gomel Region. Their creative paths have always been in one direction. Lived and created in Belarus but became famous in Russia

Everyone should see the beauty and power, the heroism and lyricism of these works of art. They rival any modern work in their emotional impact. On what is the heroism of the past century built? The National Art Museum of Belarus attempts to answer, via a show of Russian canvases from its own collection, many displayed for the first time since Soviet days. Centuries change and the routines of the past are perceived differently — as a pure game of light and colour and a classical artistic form lacking any imposed interpretation. Despite the usual approach of seeking out Soviet or socialrealistic aspects in Soviet art, it’s clear that the works on show are not primarily dictated by ideology (despite some of the plots). Rather, they reflect the artists’ own expressions. It seems that it was not Maxim Gorky who inspired 20th century Russian painters. Rather, the French impressionists of the late 19th century, and the early 20th century Russian impressionists seem to have inspired Russian ‘socialistic realism’, with their form, colour, and use of light. In the same manner, the language of academic art (originating from classicism) lies with the Itinerants, who intentionally stepped aside from excessive detail. By the late 19th-early 20th century, Igor Grabar, Ilya Mashkov, Piotr Konchalovsky and Isaak Brodsky had

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taken the lead, followed by Alexander Gerasimov, Sergey Gerasimov, Georgy Pimenov, Alexey and Sergey Tkachev, Grigory Nissky and Arkady Plastov. We

Vladimir Prokoptsov:

“Our opportunities are endless in cooperation with our colleagues. The most important is that this isn’t a one-sided process”

see their inner worlds on the canvas, while social aspects take a minor role (perhaps due to the Soviet ideal of erasing obvious social differences). It should be obligatory mentioned that the National Art Museum of Belarus is actively developing cooperation with central and regional museums of Russia. According to its Director Vladimir Prokoptsov, the museum has long established partnership relations with Russian colleagues who represent leading museums (the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum and State Hermitage), as well as those located in the country’s regions, e.g., in Smolensk, Yaroslavl and Bryansk. The National Art Museum is implementing

At the ‘Heroism and lyricism of the past century’ exhibition

ONCOMING MOTION joint projects with its colleagues when its exhibits go on show in Russia and those from the collections of the Russian museums are displayed in Belarus. “Our opportunities are endless in cooperation with our colleagues. The most important is that this isn’t a one-sided process,” believes Mr. Prokoptsov. As an example he brought the fact that the National Art Museum was donated eight Slutsk sashes from the collection of the State Historical Museum of Russia. Mr. Prokoptsov especially noted the importance to return cultural values which rightfully belong to the Belarusian nation. These were taken away during the Great Patriotic War to the West or given to Russia. “We’ll try to purchase such exhibits at auctions or to exchange them for other works of art. Our museum hasn’t practiced this so far but western museums do have such experience. If corresponding norms are introduced at the legislative level such variant is possible. Now, it’s possible only from theoretical point of view,” explains the Director of the National Art Museum of Belarus. He also added that a special commission is working at the Council of Ministers of Belarus, to locate and return national cultural treasures to Belarus from abroad. Asked towards which school — Russian or European — Belarusian art is most inclined, the Director of the National Art Museum, Mr. Prokoptsov, is convinced ‘European’. He notes, “This is evident especially with Belarusian icon painting, although there is great influence from the Russian artistic school. Belarus has always been located at the crossroads of various states' cultures, and has absorbed their achievements. It's a characteristic of national culture, not only for pictorial art. Nevertheless, we should maintain our own national cultural identity, as we have been doing for the past decade.”

Talented interpretation of one’s own time Let’s have a look on rich practice of Russian-Belarusian exchange exhibi-

D.Cherkes. ‘Kerch Roofs. 1959’

tions. One of these — a joint exposition from the collections of the Yaroslavl Art Museum and the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus — was dedicated to 75th anniversary of Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Filaret, and his 32-year service on the Belarusian lands. The family roots of His Grace go to Yaroslavl and this city on the Volga River preserves memory about Metropolitan Filaret’s great grandfather — Ivan Vakhromeev (1843-1908). Being the head of the city, Ivan Vakhromeev has done much to save the richest spiritual, artistic and cultural legacy of Yaroslavl. In early 20th century, he raised funds to conduct the first scientific restoration of the 17th century Prophet Elijah Church and the church was saved from destruction. Being a collector of ancient books and manuscripts, Ivan Vakhromeev promoted the release of first scientific works on the history and study of monuments of Yaroslavl icon painting and architecture. He also facilitated the replenishment of Yaroslavl’s first museum with new exhibits. Thirty three icons of the 16th-19th century from the collections of the Yaroslavl Art Museum — on show in Minsk last year — were dedicated to iconography of the two most respected Orthodox saints — archbishops Nicholas of Myra and St. John Chrysostom. A part of these icons comes from Yaroslavl’s churches and was known to Ivan Vakhromeev.

Remarkably, but the Yaroslavl Art Museum preserves around 2,000 icons from the 13th-early 20th century. Alongside ancient monuments, a true pride of the collection is icons of the 17th century — a period of bright flourish of Yaroslavl. At that time, Yaroslavl was second (after Moscow) city of the Russian State in terms of population and third in terms of richness. Lots of stone parish churches were constructed in the city using the merchants’ funds and grandiose icon ensembles were created to decorate them. At that time, major peculiar features of Yaroslavl’s icons appeared: monumentality of images, delicacy of drawing and ornaments, a bright palette based on contrast colour combinations, love towards detailed narrative story and lots of icons with numerous scenes. The choice of works for the Minsk exhibition was predetermined by its topic. Since the first centuries of Christianization Eastern Slavs have specially honoured St. Nicholas and more churches are devoted to him than to any other saint. People of various social classes and

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ONCOMING MOTION occupations appealed to him, far-famed for numerous performing miracles, in their prayers during difficult circumstances of their life. One of the exposition’s ancient exhibits was an icon of St. Nicholas with 14 hagiographical border scenes, dating back to mid-16th century. A similar depiction of the saint, at full length, with a Gospel in his right hand, dates back to the miraculous image of St. Nicholas of Zaraysk, brought to Ryazan (according to the legend) in 1225 from Korsun and connected with tragic events of the Mongol-Tatar invasion. Waist-high depictions of St. Nicholas were also widely spread with symbols of the ‘Nicaean Miracle’ (in 325 AD): the Mother of God holding out pallium to St. Nicholas, and the Christ, returning the Gospel to him. An icon from the mid-16th century from St. Boris and Gleb Monastery, near Rostov Veliky, refers to such type. The image of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk from the late 16th century became famous in Mozhaisk as mirac-

At the exhibition of icons

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G. Nissky. ‘Sevastopol. Quay. 1936’

ulous. The carved icon depicts the saint in full height with a raised sword in his right hand and a fortress with a church in his left hand. 16th-19th century St. Nicholas icons with hagiographical border scenes represent a special interest. Their choice testifies to the spread of this or that aspect of St. Nicholas veneration in various times. The earliest of them contains 14 expressive scenes which surround a large centrepiece with a magnificent figure of St. Nicholas in full height — the ‘St. Nicholas of Zaraysk’ type. Icons of St. Nicholas from the early 17th century especially underline the importance of hagiographical border scenes: in their size they are equal to the central field with a waist-high figure of the saint and each of eight plots, representing a complete picture with a developed composition and wonderful writing technique, is clearly distinguished against the green background. Evolution of picturesqueness and delicacy of the style of Yaroslavl icon painting illustrates the plot from the mid17th century, close to the works from the Stroganovs’ icon workshop. St. Nicholas icon with 14 hagiographical border scenes stands out by its light transparent colour scheme and miniature delicacy of the scenes. Remarkably, but a wonderful scene of child saving from death by

drowning in Kiev is present; it’s rarely seen on Russian icons but, as a rule, is present on Ukrainian and Belarusian icons. St. Nicholas, the Wonder-Maker icon from the late 18th century testifies to traditionalism in iconography and style of the ‘golden century’ of Yaroslavl icon painting. Solemn and static St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk from the second part of the 18th century is peculiar for its bright colours, thoroughly selected details and baroque contrast colour scheme. St. John Chrysostom — the greatest prophet and the creator of the liturgy which is still served in churches — is highly venerated in Orthodox tradition. His depiction on the icon of the first half of the 16th century in full height, with a Gospel in his hand, is close to iconography of St. Nicholas of Zaraysk. A magnificent image, created on the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, reveals the influence of the engraving and icon of the famous master Simeon Spiridonov Kholmogorets, and hagiographical border scenes of John’s birth and translation of the saint’s relics appear below. The icon from the early 17th century, containing 52 hagiographical border scenes, is truly unique. Miniature painting of these scenes, supplemented with ornate cursive writing, is close to the manner of the Stroganovs’ icons. The royal gates from a rural church is a rarity for the 17th century icon painting; in line with ancient tradition, Basil the Great and St. John Chrysostom — the creators of the liturgy — are depicted on the gates’ leaves rather than the Gospel writers, as it was accustomed at that time. According to the ancient Byzantine tradition of common veneration of Three Great Ecumenical Saints, St. John Chrysostom was often depicted together with Basil the Great (329-379) and St. Gregory the Theologian (329-389), being often joined by St. Nicholas in Yaroslavl icon painting. This is the way they are depicted on the icon from the early 18th century — inspired, in flamboyant and golden vestment, praying to the Holy Trinity. The icon painter man-

ONCOMING MOTION aged to give live individuality towards traditional features of saints’ images. The 17th century icon, on show in Minsk, depicted the saints in praying, alongside the martyr Yekaterina and Metropolitan of Moscow, Philip, who suffered during the times of Ivan the Terrible. Dukes of the first dynasty — Vasily and Konstantin — as well as the founding father of the second dynasty — Fiodor Cherny with his sons David and Konstantin — were considered to be patrons and protectors of Yaroslavl. Together with the Prophet Elijah and St. Nicholas they were presented in Minsk on the 17th century icon from the Church of St. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, built on the place where Konstantin Vsevolodovich and many residents of the city died during the battle against Tatars in 1257. The icon of the mid-18th century, depicting St. Nicholas and holy Yaroslavl dukes praying to the Virgin Mary of Tolg icon of the Mother of God, contains a particle of relic of the blessed dukes, kept at the Assumption Cathedral of the Monastery of Our Saviour. Moreover, that Yaroslavl exhibition was supplemented with Belarusian icons, one of which — The Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah from the 1730s from the Assumption Cathedral of the Zhirovichi Monastery — was donated to the collection of the National Art Museum of Belarus in 2009 alongside six other icons, with active assistance of Metropolitan Filaret. The icon was in the prophetic range of three-level iconostasis from the early 18th century. The prophets don’t have direct analogues among the preserved Belarusian icons of the 17th-18th century. They are characterised by thoroughness and grandeur of images of the church art, alongside wonderful style technique of realistic European painting of the baroque epoch. The absence of carved ornamental background should be also mentioned. The church-Slavonic texts on scrolls with predictions testify to preservation of the ancient tradition in the Basilian period of the history of Belarusian church.

S. Tkachev. ‘To town for studies. 1952’

Belarus has always been located at the crossroads of various states' cultures and has absorbed their achievements. It’s a characteristic of national culture, not only for pictorial art The 18th century icon, Selected Saints Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom, from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Brest Region’s Shereshevo village, boasts peculiar features of the Belarusian school. The saints are depicted in full height against the background of high colonnade and gilded graphical ornament. The master gave expressive portrait characteristics to

plastic images of the sainthood. Moreover, folk features are seen in the depiction of magnificent figures in solemn vestments. The names of saints on the areolas are also written unusual. In his turn, the 18th century icon of St. Nicholas from the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross from Brest Region’s Obrovo represents an example of local late baroque. The saint is presented standing on the hill, in pontificals, embroidered with gold and silver. The image of the kind and wise saint is peculiar for Belarusian icon painting. The Saviour is depicted with the Gospel while churches with domes are located beneath, in the distance — peculiar for late icon painting. At the same time, the St. Nicholas icon from the late 18th century illustrates the shift from traditional icon painting towards professional academic painting with correct drawing and light-and-dark modelling of the space. Pallium, painted in large bright colours, reflects peculiar samples of the baroque style weaving. ‘The Saint Patrons in Orthodox Icon Painting’ exhibition became the third in a row of joint projects of Minsk and

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ONCOMING MOTION Yaroslavl. The richest museum collections of Yaroslavl and funds of the National Art Museum of Belarus give an opportunity to further continue such fruitful collaboration. Local tastes shaped the direction of the Yaroslavl icon painting school since merchants often paid for artworks, for donation to their church, and the best artists from across the Russian empire were attracted for such work: from Veliky Ustyug, Novgorod, Moscow and Kostroma. Such masters as Fiodor Zubov, Guriy Nikitin and Semen Spiridonov created icons for the city. Meanwhile, the local artistic environment also thrived; secular icon painting, portraying a more ‘realistic’ and original view of the world, became popular. The 17th-18th century Yaroslavl icons are peculiar for bright visual appeal, festive atmosphere, the masters’ fancy towards live reflection of the depicted events, rich colour palette of the works, graphical contours, love towards ornamentation of costumes, classical delicacy of writing (often miniature) and use of gold and silver. Russian art is one of the most significant among the collections of the National Art Museum of Belarus, with the religious theme well represented. The exposition, entitled ‘Christianity and Christians in Creative Activity of Russian and Belarusian Artists of the Middle of the 19th-Early 20th Century’, held in the museum, showcased three dozen works of painting, sculpture and icon painting, exploring the religious topic. Portraiture was a key element of contemporary Christian art, representing those who played a special role. For the first time, the portrait of Metropolitan Iosif Semashko is on display. An active figure in the reunification of the Uniats with the Orthodox Church, he was painted in 1849 by Belarusian artist Ivan Khrutsky. Other portraits include those of Goravsky and Kramskoy, Losev, Polenov, Sukhodolsky and Nesterov. The wooden sculptures of saints, restored by domestic masters, are also sure to delight visitors.

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‘Sacred Procession to the Consecration of Water in the Village’ by Ivan Trutnev; Nikolay Nevrev’s ‘Confession’; and ‘Reception of Icon’ by Piotr Sukhodolsky. Mikhail Nesterov’s creativity has an eternal feel, encapsulated in modern form.

Spirituality of Vetka

Unlike traditional, academic masters, the artists of democratic direction, with their ‘everyday’ connections, captured an element of realism that withstood the passing of time. Vasily Polenov’s ‘From the Life of Christ’ series presents a stri kingly realistic portrayal of the Palestinian landscape (he visited more than once), and some simple, composite solutions: ‘Christ Seated’. Some works showed the common life of Christians:

Later, the National Art Museum hosted ‘Husband, Man, Warrior’ collection of late 18th-early 19th century icon paintings from Vetka Museum of Old Believer Faith and Belarusian Traditions. The exhibition presents 83 beautiful icons which would have once adorned the simple homes of Old Believers and those of Belarusian Orthodox faith. All from Vetka area, the icons provide evidence of rural culture which no longer exists. The icons were thought to offer protection, not only of the individual family but, patriotically, the wider settlement and country. For more than a millennium, from the Christianisation of Kievan Rus, icons embodied the accumulation of experience and Slavic spirituality.

At the hall of Ancient Belarusian Art at the National Art Museum

ONCOMING MOTION Soldiers going into battle would take a miniature icon with them, to act as protection. St. George was a popular choice, as was Nikita (a 14th century warrior) and Russian duke-brothers Boris and Gleb. Archangel Michael was perhaps the most popular of all. Each soldier would feel a personal bond with their own miraculous protector, who accompanied him in his ‘holy deeds’, overcoming malign forces. In the 12th-14th centuries, holy warriors helped forge the idea of national independence. The icons on show are imbued deeply with the energy of rural culture. As well as helping achieve victory, each holy image carried a connection with the agricultural calendar, or protection from illness, robbers, wild animals, ‘evil spirits’ or ‘malicious curses’. St. George was connected with spring fertility land, eternally thrusting his sword into his dragon (as we see on various military medals. He watched over the spring pasture of cattle and the welfare of peasant boys. Of course, we all know the award of the Cross of Saint George. Meanwhile, dukes Boris and Gleb were connected with baking, absorbing neg-

ative energy and encouraging the bravery of sacrifice, while warning against the horror of fratricidal war. To which such icons did people pray in those simple rural homes? How did the force of a mother’s prayer, passionate to protect her son, husband or father, aid in returning them safely. How did this accumulate and transfer to the

Pictures make mull over

souls of those fighting: boys and young men? How did the image of the ideal soldier influence their behaviour? The military theme is universal, continuing to arouse interest. In 1995, the year of the 50th anniversary of the Victory over fascist Germany, saw much research published but work proceeds. The unique data collected from Vetka residents (a small city in Gomel Region) adds to our understanding of the faith of Orthodox Believers and Old Believers. Yelena Karpenko, who heads Ancient Belarusian Art at the National Art Museum and is the exhibition curator, tells us, “Folklore texts have clarified and revived the situation, bringing together voices from separate traditions. Our collections of Old Believer and Belarusian Orthodox icons demonstrate the local features of our culture.” Many of the exhibited works have been restored by museum experts. However, some still bear the ‘wounds’ of war: tears from shell splinters, for instance, purposefully left. The project is accompanied by albums entitled ‘Vetka Icons’, ‘Voices of Lost Villages’, and ‘Living Belief — Vetka’. Joint exhibitions have been organized in the cities of Mogilev, Minsk and Vitebsk, with the first entitled ‘Saint George’, launched with the Gomel Regional Museum of Local History. Each has highlighted new aspects of military culture and of our spiritual heritage, attracting differing materials in each district: ‘heavenly rows’ of military images, ‘terrestrial’ exhibits and military equipment. The exhibition also explored various dimensions of the theme, heavenly and terrestrial, and the opposition of war and peace. Military conflict has the power to plunge us into contemplation of the spiritual, resounding in space and time and revealing the eternal. The stability of our culture relies upon our faith: in God and in humanity. A simple soldier, called Ivan, sent letters home from the Front, to his wife and mother. There, in their old house, they prayed to John the Warrior ‘for Ivan to return home alive’. By Veniamin Mikheev

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â€˜Green roadâ€™ (author of the picture is Grigory Nissky who was born in Gomel Region of Belarus and became a famous artist in Russia)