Belarus (magazine #6 2015) by BELARUS Magazine

Soyuz

Belarus — Russia

pp. 37—44

No.6 (981), 2015

BELARUS

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Беларусь. Belarus

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Беларусь.Belarus Monthly magazine No. 6 (981), 2015 Published since 1930 State Registration Certificate of mass medium No.8 dated March 2nd, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus

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

Plans acquire real features

Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich

Design and Layout by

4 12

Never too many good proposals President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko makes two day visit to Pakistan

Last hopes fulfilled

Gene galaxy Staff of the Belarusian Aca-

Business turns to province

24 Thank you, doctor!

Warm wind from the Baltics Belarusian-

City for nuclear experts New town be-

Latvian dialogue sincere at business forum and matchmaking session

demy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Cytology have been searching for answers to eternal questions of human birth and heredity for almost fifty years, also being interested in changes occurring in nature and their reasons. These studies of Belarusian scientists — already widely known in the global community of biologists and geneticists — successfully continue.

What surprises are in store at Slavianski Bazaar?

Bologna process begins...

Never too old for treatment?.. Every

day, surgeons erase age boundaries, performing surgery on patients of increasing seniority; it seems as if countries almost compete to set new records

беларусь.belarus 2015

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”.

Estonian greeting Vitebsk hosts the first exhibition of Estonian artist-designers

79 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk, Belarus, 220013

A happy journey Book-album about

Order No. 1544

Alexander Kishchenko, released at the Four Quarters Publishing House, opens the Development Bank’s Cultural Heritage of Belarus project

ing built near the small Belarusian town of Ostrovets, to accommodate construction and service staff of first Belarusian nuclear power station

Vadim Kondrashov Nadezhda Ponkratova

Total circulation — 1883 copies (including 724 in English).

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

Leonid Dudarenko’s Code

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

editor's note

Quality of Life

hich takes precedence: the high road of policy-making, or a peaceful life, filled with compromise? The answer is that high policy facilitates confidence in the future, ensuring a worthy life. In this way are state interests guided, with international contacts promoted. Pragmatism is essential, built upon mutual respect and beneficial co-operation. Belarus has many such collaborative examples. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, has visited Minsk, continuing a series of foreign political events, and Belarus has been recently visited by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Meanwhile, Mr. Lukashenko has travelled to Pakistan. Belarus is known for its commitment to multivector foreign policy, with such meetings as those mentioned above acting as a clear illustration. They reflect our process of trade consolidation (which is gaining momentum), liaising with countries confidently becoming new world economic leaders. Some time ago, the People’s Republic of China proposed its new Silk Road economic corridor initiative, involving India, Pakistan, Eurasian Economic Union countries, and a range of other states. The Chinese Foreign Minister perfectly explained the idea, noting that the aim is to provide mutual benefit: ‘a symphonic concert of partners rather than a solo attempt’. Looking at the map, it’s clear that the intention is to create more than an overland connection between eastern China and Europe, since sea routes are included: across the Indian Ocean, and the South China, Red and Mediterranean seas. This global project could never be implemented alone, even by a very large and rich country; it relies on the collaboration of many, in a constructively-disposed world. Belarus has a key role to play, being the only calm and stable corridor between Europe and Asia in our region. It’s little wonder that the largest countries are eager to engage in dialogue with us. This topic is further

explored in international materials, such as Never Too Many Good Proposals and Plans Acquire Real Features. This issue of our magazine contains various materials on quality of life. Increased expertise in medicine is a contributing factor, with surgeons daily erasing the age boundaries, performing surgery on patients of increasing seniority. It seems as if countries almost compete to set new records. Most recently, a 100-year-old woman received surgery in Novosibirsk, while British doctors removed a carcinoma from a 99year-old woman from Manchester. In Dnepropetrovsk, a patient aged over 100 has received an artificial hip joint. Many such cases exist: more than 600 people aged over 100 worldwide have undergone endo-prosthesis replacement. Belarus is seeing more surgeries than ever on patients aged over 80: a notion previously deemed inconceivable. Minsk’s City Clinical Emergency Hospital carried out cardiac surgery on a 100-year-old woman 18 months ago, due to acute myocardial infarction. It’s never easy to endure an operation at such an advanced age but a council of physicians set out their treatment plan, giving her a heart stent, to restore normal blood flow. Naturally, as our population attains longer mortality, medicine needs to focus on the older generation. Lyubov Voronina, an Associate Professor at the Belarusian Medical Academy of Post-Graduate Education, notes that life expectancy is rising worldwide, with more people than ever living beyond 80 and, even, reaching 100. Naturally, this is changing the face of medical care, as you can read in Never Too Old for Treatment?.. Quality of life is also discussed in Thank You, Doctor! and Tackling Blood Clots. Much also depends on the individual. Minsk’s famous painter Leonid Dudarenko is still creatively active at 85. Recently, the Honoured Figure of Arts of Belarus enjoyed a personal exhibition, attended by many, who, as always, praised his works. Wearing his favourite red jacket, he modestly accepted congratulations, as if saying that he hadn’t achieved anything extraordinary, only sharing his impressions. Around a hundred works were on display, created over the years. Read more in Leonid Dudarenko’s Code.

By Victor Kharkov

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panorama Belarusian nuclear power station design may be replicated in Finland, Hungary and Vietnam

alery Limarenko, head of the Russian group of nuclear industry companies NIAEP-ASE-AEP, tells journalists in Moscow that European experts are impressed with the Belarusian nuclear power station currently under construction. He notes, “We have a positive assessment because the Belarusian nuclear power station is a three-plus generation facility: a cutting-edge power station, adhering strictly to its construction schedule and within its planned budget.”

Mr. Limarenko adds that monitoring is rigorous at all stages for the offthe-shelf design and is delighted by the idea that the experience gained in building the Belarusian nuclear power station will be applied abroad.

 No visas to visit Vietnam Vietnam simplifies visa regime for Belarusian citizens

‘F

rom July 1st, 2015 citizens of the Republic of Belarus visiting Vietnam for up to 15 days will not need to apply for a visa, regardless of their passport type or purpose of visit. A visa-free regime for Belarusians making short trips to Vietnam will be valid for five years, until June 30th, 2020. Vietnam’s legislation envisages the possi-

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 Time to change stereotypes Ministry of Labour and Social Protection joins UN Population Fund in promoting family equality

ital issues of family policy have been recently discussed in Minsk at the Healthy Family — Healthy Society international conference. Elena Kasko, Assistant Representative at United Nations Population Fund in Belarus, is keen to encourage change under the slogan of ‘the man to the kitchen, the woman to work’. She declares, “The law gives the father great opportunities to join in raising children; he can take maternity leave in the same way as a woman, yet only 1-2 percent do so. We need to break stereotypes, changing mentality, to encourage fathers to take on family responsibilities. Even if they only take advantage of the opportunity for a few months it will reduce the number of divorces. We need to liaise with firms to encourage them to support the project.” The Deputy Chairman of the National Statistical Committee of Belarus, Yelena Kukharevich, says of Belarusian families, “Last year, 84,000 couples married and 25,000 were divorced. The average age for first marriage for women is 25 years: 26 for men. Rural bility of further extension of the document,’ notes the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, citing the Vietnamese Government. The Foreign Ministry notes that Belarus is one of the few countries granted visa-free short trips to Vietnam (for up to 15 days) and is the first country to gain this privilege under Vietnam’s new legislation, showing the robust and friendly relations between our countries.

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 Belarusian design for nuclear power stations

grooms are older and, in cities, women are older. More children are being born within marriage and about 20 percent of women aim to give birth between the ages of 35 and 40. In 2014, 118,500 children were born in Belarus: the highest indicator for the last 20 years.” The Deputy Minister for Labour and Social Protection, Alexander Rumak, believes that population growth is linked to state social policies to protect family values and offer financial support. He underlines, “Belarusian families are being ‘encouraged’ by various allowances, benefits and social guarantees. We occupy the first place among the CIS countries and the 25th place worldwide for having social conditions that are conducive to creating a family. Belarusians have good opportunities for marriage and birth of children.” The Government of Vietnam unilaterally introduced visa-free entry to Vietnam (for up to 15 days) for citizens of the Republic of Korea and Japan in 2004, for those of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland in 2005, and for those of the Russian Federation in 2009. From January 1st, 2015, the Vietnamese Government’s power to unilaterally introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of another country was fixed at legislative level.

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President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain

Never too many good proposals

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko makes two day visit to Pakistan, to meet President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, accompanied by major Belarusian delegation of ministers, businessmen and heads of private and state companies, signing around two dozen documents aiming to boost bilateral co-operation

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VISIT

Alexander Lukashenko during his meeting with President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain:

Our relations are efficiently developing and we have virtually no problems in the sphere of politics. We co-operate within international organisations and support each other. We should continue to follow this path, involving members of parliament and heads of Government agencies. As regards economics, serious work lies ahead

ur two states’ trade-economic collaboration is yet to be stable in nature, having fluctuated between $50 mln and $120 mln over the past eight years. However, huge potential is possible if a systematic approach can be applied. Clearly, top-level talks are essential. At the moment, Pakistan is focusing on the agrarian sector, involving a major share of its population in working the land, and with prospects for developing other branches. Pakistan is among 11 states which — alongside BRICS members — enjoy great potential for becoming major world economies this century. The mining industry should bring significant benefits, since the country boasts deposits of gas, oil, chrome ore, marble, sodium salt, uranium, limestone, phosphate rock, barites, sulphur, and precious and semiprecious stones. Deposits are modest in volume but fully investigated and the experience of Belarusian specialists may prove useful. Minsk and Islamabad share many points of business interaction and recent talks were conducted at all levels. Summing up the results of their t a l k s , t he B el ar us i an Pre s i d e nt stressed that our bilateral agreements now take the form of two-

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dozen signed documents. “In Belarus, we view Pakistan as a leader in the Muslim world and it’s important that such a country is represented at the centre of Europe,” he said. It has been agreed that a Pakistani embassy will open in Minsk, with a land plot allocated for building. A major Belarusian delegation visited Pakistan jointly with the President, including ministers, and heads of major state and private companies; as a result of talks, they have agreed to establish joint facilities in both countries, to manufacture high-demand products.  According to the population size Pakistan is the sixth country in the world, and the second country according to the size of muslim population after Indonesia.  Pakistan is a developing agro-industrial country, being among top 11 states which — alongside BRICS members — enjoy great potential for becoming major world economies this century.  The major share of the population is working in the agrarian sector. The main exported goods are the following: textile, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals and carpets.

Mr. Lukashenko noted Belarus’ recent visit from China’s Chairman, Xi Jinping, with the heads of state visiting the construction site of the ChineseBelarusian Industrial Park, near Minsk. It is to host production facilities for the world’s most advanced companies. The President noted, “This project is part of an economic concept for China’s Silk Road. We invite your companies to participate, setting up their facilities at this technological park. We’ll create all necessary conditions, offering unprecedented privileges.” According to Mr. Lukashenko, our country is interested in seeing Pakistan set up modern sewing and textile facilities. He asserted, “You have great experience in this field and we offer an industrial platform, being ready to establish joint modern production plants at the centre of Europe. Your products, manufactured at these facilities, alongside our own, would enjoy great demand across former Soviet states, which currently import from abroad. Your goods would be competitive on the European market as well. Documents approved during extended format talks agree mutual legal aid for civil and economic cases, inter-governmental agreements on military-technical co-operation and collaboration in the field of science and technology. There is also an intergovernmental memorandum on cooperation in the field of information and communications.

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Clearly, our two states have the political will and business motivation for dynamic and productive interaction across all spheres. The signing of the Islamabad Declaration of BelarusPakistan Partnership, by Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Sharif, was an important result of talks, while delegation members concluded around two-dozen agreements and memorandums The foreign ministries of Belarus and Pakistan have signed a memorandum on mutual understanding for the establishment of a mechanism of bilateral consultations. In turn, Belarus’ Justice Ministry has joined Pakistan’s Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights in signing a memorandum on mutual co-operation. Another agreement foresees launching a BelarusianPakistani joint business council. Agreements on collaboration in the spheres of education and culture were signed: by Mogilev’s Regional Executive Committee and the Government of the Punjab Province; by the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and

Industry and the Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry; by Belarus’ National State TV and Radio Company and Pakistan Television Corporation State TV and Radio Company; and by the Belarusian State University and the University of Quaid-i-Azam. In addition, memorandums on mutual understanding were signed in the fields of industry, agriculture and food, science and technologies, and investments. Such documents were also signed between the national libraries of Belarus and Pakistan and between the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radio-electronics and

Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technologies. The Belarusian President’s visit to Pakistan included official meetings, and the symbolic planting of a tree in Shakarparian Park, in Islamabad’s historical centre: a popular spot for tourists and city residents. A national Monument of Pakistan is situated on one of its two hills, with the second accommodating a leisure park, which always gathers crowds. The amazing site unites the spirit of historical traditions and focuses on the country’s peaceful and calm development. The President of Belarus wrote in the book of honorary guests: ‘I’m im-

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VISIT pressed with Islamabad’s Shakarparian Park, which eloquently embodies Pakistan’s unity and its intention to live peacefully with the nations of the world. Let the tree — which I’ve planted today — be a symbol of the friendly relations between Belarus and Pakistan, their dynamic development and flourishing’. Clearly, our two states have the political will and business motivation for dynamic and productive interaction across all spheres. The signing of the Islamabad Declaration of Belarus-Pakistan Partnership, by Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Sharif, was an important result of talks, while delegation members concluded around two-dozen agreements and memorandums. The Belarusian President and Pakistan’s Prime Minister later told journalists the results of their talks and declarations, with mutual trade, investment exchange and cultural contacts to the fore. In the sphere of politics, inter-parliamentary co-operation and expanded bilateral and inter-regional contacts are to be given attention. Meanwhile, close interaction on the international arena — primarily in the UN — remains vital, for Minsk and Islamabad. Mr. Lukashenko invited the Pakistani Prime Minister to Belarus and Mr. Sharif accepted his invitation with pleasure, intending to arrive in August, with a major governmental and business delegation. The President has promised to seriously prepare for the meeting. A session of the Business Co-operation Council is to take place immediately prior to Mr. Sharif ’s visit to Belarus, to ensure that all memorandums and agreements signed recently transform into concrete contacts, as the President has proposed. Importantly, both states are keen to establish joint production facilities, in Belarus and Pakistan. The process has already launched, with Mr. Lukashenko presenting Mr. Sharif with a certificate on the first Belarusian tractor assembled in Pakistan. No doubt, the future will be full of activity. By Vladimir Khromov

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Specifics of Belarusian-Pakistani projects Vladimir Gusakov, the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus:

“Our colleagues are primarily interested in co-operation in the field of space research. I’ve shown them our programme features, including satellite images of Pakistani territory. They’re very interested and are equally so towards our unmanned aerial vehicles, biotechnologies, agricultural engineering and agricultural technologies. We’ve just introduced about 40 specific projects for collaboration, for study by our colleagues. We’ve agreed that, in the near future, a group of scientists from the Academy of Scientists will travel to Pakistan to make detailed plans of co-operation. A little later, a delegation of Pakistan’s scientists will come to Belarus. I think our co-operation will prove fruitful, as there’s great mutual interest.”

Lilia Ananich, the Minister of Information: “In Belarus, there is great interest in journalistic training; we keenly desire to establish a regular and rapid exchange of new information and cultural projects, creating joint projects for television, including artistic series, which are very popular. We are interested in the experience of Pakistan in terms of information security and there is mutual interest in publishing liaisons: primarily in the production of textbooks. Our Pakistani colleagues are ready to participate in our exhibition projects. We understand that economic progress will be possible only when countries and people better understand each other. In this respect, we’ve enjoyed informative conversation with the Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Pakistan for National Development and Information Issues. We’ve spoken at length about the importance of communication. Pakistan is directing its

attention towards Europe and views Belarus as an island of stability, bringing together various economic and political vectors. In promoting our country, we must understand the importance of Belarus’ role in the wider world. Europe and Asia are scrutinising us, as is the whole globe, without exaggeration. We should appreciate this, take pride in the fact, and use it to our advantage.” Currently, the economy of Pakistan is showing obvious bias towards the agricultural sector, where most of the population works. However, it has prospects for developing other industries, being among the top 11 states (along with BRICS countries) with the greatest potential to become one of the largest economies this century. The mining industry is of particular note, as Pakistan boasts deposits of gas, oil, coal, chrome ore, marble, salt, limestone, uranium, phosphate rock, barite, sulphur, and precious and semi-precious stones. The subsoil is very rich but not yet fully investigated, for which the experience of Belarusian experts may be useful.

Andrey Kovtukho, the Director of the Geological Research and Production Centre: “Belarusian specialists have rich experience in the exploration of oil fields, solid minerals, salts, and underground water: fields in which our Pakistani colleagues are interested. We’re enjoying an exchange of information, presenting the capabilities of Belarusian geologists, while Pakistan shows us its resource riches. Of course, we need to seriously study the geological structure of Pakistan, to identify opportunities and prospects for co-operation. There is some interest from Pakistani companies, including in relation to exploring hydrocarbon, oil and gas.” The problem of finding underground water is also relevant. We have agreed to sign a framework agreement on co-operation in the field of mineral exploration. Possibilities and conditions have been discussed, including the sharing of expertise and training of higher-level personnel.

COOPERATION

Plans acquire real features President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, has made an official visit to Minsk

his visit continued a series of key foreign political events of late, Minsk having been visited by Chinese President Xi Jinping recently, and Alexander Lukashenko having paid an official visit to Pakistan. Belarus is known for its commitment to a multi-vector foreign policy, with such meetings as those mentioned above acting as a clear illustration. They reflect our process of trade consolidation (which is gaining momentum), liaising with countries confidently becoming new world economic leaders. Some time ago, the People’s Republic of China proposed the initiative of the new Silk Road trade zone, involving India, Pakistan, the Eurasian Economic Union countries, and a range of other states. The Chinese Foreign Minister explains the idea, noting that the aim is to provide mutual benefit: ‘a symphonic concert of partners rather than a solo attempt’. Looking at the map, it’s clear that the intention is to create more than an overland connection between eastern China and Europe, since sea routes are included: across the Indian Ocean, and the South China, Red

and Mediterranean seas. This global project could never be implemented alone, even by a very large and rich country; it relies on the collaboration of many, in a constructively-disposed world. Belarus has a key role to play, being the only calm and stable corridor between Europe and Asia in our region. It’s little wonder that the largest countries are eager to engage in dialogue with us.

warmth, noting the friendly relations which connected India and the USSR and adding his hopes that future partnerships will be just as strong, if not even stronger. He is keen to expand interaction with Minsk, echoing the feelings of the President of Belarus. Mr. Lukashenko underlined that our country has no desire to be ‘isolated’ and is proud of its good relationship with such a powerful state as India.

Minsk not only sees its own interests in India, but is also eager to welcome Indian specialists to Belarus, liaising in the sphere of power engineering and other infrastructural projects. Undoubtedly, such collaboration is beneficial to both states C ommunication b etween the presidents of Belarus and India began with recollections of their first meeting in New Delhi, in 2007, when Mr. Lukashenko visited. This was a catalyst for new dynamics of interstate interaction. At that time, Pranab Mukherjee was Foreign Minister, creating the foundations of our relationship, to mutual benefit. The Indian President recalled that occasion with

Further talks concentrated more on business and Mr. Lukashenko told his Indian colleague his view on promising areas of co-operation. For example, boasting contemporary technologies and equipment, Belarusian specialists are ready to take part in the modernisation of Indian mining industry. They can also advice how to enhance the efficiency of oil and gas sector.

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President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of India Pranab Mukherjee

In the nearest time, India plans to considerably enhance its level of coal extraction. Of course, it will need to ensure a reliable fleet of heavy-duty dump trucks; our BelAZ vehicles are already working at its enterprises successfully, making them an obvious choice for further supply. Belarus is already setting up a service centre to maintain its machinery, with its first such centre to open later this year in India. Collaboration in tractor building is also on the agenda, our ‘Belarus’ tractors being well-known in India since the 1960s and 1970s. They helped achieve the ‘green revolution’, which brought significant rises in crop yields from Indian fields. The ‘Made in India’ governmental programme aims to attract new production technologies into the country, including joint production ventures — such as for the manufacture

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 The Independence Palace hosted the official meeting of the President of India with Mr. Lukashenko. The two presidents talked privately, and in extended formats, resulting in the signing of a number of important bilateral documents. As is now traditional, Mr. Mukherjee has planted a tree on the Avenue of Honorary Guests. of buses, trucks, communal and roadconstruction machinery. Belarus has much to offer in this sphere. India is also keen to access the markets of adjoining states, as well as organising commodity distribution networks, banking and joint financial provision for projects.

Belarusian has also proposed educational initiatives to reinforce manufacturing success. Another large-scale Indian programme is the Development of Professional Skills, for which Belarus could help train specialists across various spheres, via technical training centres in India. Minsk is also eager to welcome Indian specialists to Belarus, liaising in the sphere of power engineering and other infrastructural projects. Undoubtedly, such collaboration is beneficial to both states. The achievements of the Indian pharmaceutical industry are recognised worldwide and Belarus would welcome investments into its own branch, as well as joint ventures in nano- and biotechnologies, microelectronics, machine building and renewable energy. The Great Stone

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During the work of the Belarusian-Indian Business Forum

Industrial Park is oriented in this direction, and would welcome hightech Indian companies. President Mukherjee asserts that India is very interested in our proposed

Indian Business Forum tackled how ‘real’ liaisons are to be achieved. During the second day of the Indian President’s official visit to Belarus, Mr. Lukashenko joined Mr. Mukher-

Alexander Lukashenko believes that trade turnover could double by next year: primarily, by shifting from simple trade to production co-operation. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, is also optimistic, hoping to raise the level of bilateral trade to $1 bln within five years areas of interaction, being convinced that today’s level of turnover is far from showing our true potential. Meanwhile, India is opening a credit line worth $100 mln, for joint projects. The roadmap of Belarusian-Indian collaboration was a key document of the meeting, guiding areas for development. Meanwhile, the Belarusian-

jee at the Belarusian-Indian Business Forum. The event hosted substantial dialogue between business representatives from both countries, with contacts signed for future joint projects. Around 70 years ago, when India received its independence, none could have predicted that this huge, heavily-populated country, with just a few

tractors donated by the USSR, would make a phenomenal breakthrough in development. Today, it is the world’s third largest economy, boasting $7 trillion of GDP and colossal potential. Opportunities for Belarusian exporters are endless, so it would be foolish to ignore them. Meanwhile, Indian partners view our country as a reliable economic foothold within the Eurasian space. Such mutual interest promises beneficial contracts and joint projects, as proven by the attendance of over 40 business representatives from India at the Belarusian-Indian Business Forum, and around 100 Belarusian companies. The presidents of our two states set the tone, with Mr. Lukashenko believing that trade turnover could double by next year: primarily, by shifting from simple trade to production co-operation. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, is also optimistic, hoping to raise the level of bilateral trade to $ 1bln within five years.

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COOPERATION Gaining a foothold on the Indian market is no easy job, but those enterprises already working on the task have no regrets, being ready to expand their business. Their success is worthy of emulation. Minsk Tractor Works has signed a co-operative agreement to launch joint manufacture of new tractor models in 2016. The capacity of the Indian market is assessed at around 700,000 units per year: a ‘fertile land’ for MTZ. BelAZ also has solid prospects, since India boasts huge coal deposits. Currently, it imports 200 mln tonnes of coal annually, but hopes to triple its extraction: from 500 mln tonnes to 1.5 mln. Samar Shakil, who manages an Indian dealership branch for BelAZ, tells us, “To achieve this, we need heavy lifting vehicles. Your dump trucks have a good reputation for working under conditions of 50-degree heat, are reliable and are cheaper than those of your rivals. It’s no surprise that many of our clients (who traditionally bought Caterpillar vehicles) are looking to Belarusian machinery.” Minsk Bearings Plant has signed a beneficial agreement to supply bearings worth $1 bln, while Gomselmash, Borisov Plant of Automotive and Tractor Electrical Equipment (BATE), and Belenergo have also found new partners on the Indian market, supplying machinery and providing after-sales services. We will even be assisting Indian colleagues in the geological survey of oil deposits. Indian businessmen were able to sample the opportunities and advan-

 Mr. Lukashenko visited New Delhi in 2007, meeting Pranab Mukherjee to discuss measures to be taken to develop ties between our countries. At that time, Minsk and New Delhi intended to triple turnover, bringing it closer to $0.5 bln. This goal was achieved in 2012, when the volume of bilateral trade reached $494.6 mln. Political contacts at top level in 2007 brought genuine business continuation. Unfortunately, the world crisis took its toll. By 2013, mutual trade had fallen significantly. It revived in 2014 and is now ready for new stimuli, inspiring dynamic interaction between our two countries. The official visit of the Indian President to Belarus should facilitate this. tages of working in the forthcoming Chinese-Belarusian Great Stone Industrial Park: the perfect venue for high-tech enterprises in the sphere of electronics, logistics, communication, bio- and nano-technologies. The Government of Javāharlāl Nehrū focused on the ‘economy of knowledge’ and the development of the service sphere, enabling India to see the birth of the IT industry: one of the most rapidly-growing in the world. Belarus also possesses talented IT workers, so collaboration is an obvious step. The same is true of pharmacology. In the next 2-3 years, three joint projects — worth $50 mln — are to be launched in this sphere. Mr. Lukashenko has invited Indian companies to act more boldly, seizing opportunities. “Opening manufacturing facilities in Belarus, you receive unhindered entrance to the Eurasian Economic Union market, and to that of the European Union. The logistics for working within these two unions are unsurpassed, since Belarus is geographically located at the cen-

tre of these economic giants,” underlined Mr. Lukashenko. He assured his guest that no problems exist regarding projects receiving loan funding. During the recent visit to Minsk by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, an agreement was reached to allocate $7 bln to our country (in addition to the previously opened credit line of $15 bln). The loans are on beneficial, low interest terms, accessible by state and private enterprises. The only condition is that projects be feasible and efficient, to the benefit of all. Mr. Lukashenko has guaranteed all-round assistance to the Indian capital in our country and towards implementing modernisation at Grodno TPP-2. The latter is a bright example of co-operation, with around $55 mln invested. Its new turbo-power unit has been supplied by Indian specialists, doubling the capacity of the station, and reducing the cost of producing natural gas. This has generated revenue of almost $40 mln per year for the state budget: a good example of collaboration, worthy of emulation. By Vasily Kharitonov

Visits by the heads of China and India to our country, as well as top-level meetings in Pakistan, have been vital components in the ‘distance arc’ of our foreign policy. Communication and friendship with such world giants, undoubtedly, raises the image of our country: as a reliable partner, and as an important player within the Eurasian space беларусь.belarus 2015

REGION

Business turns to province Gomel’s 12th Economic Forum gathers over 500 representatives from 21 countries and features over 100 investment projects: the greatest numbers to date

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he for um’s divers e attendance has brought about more opportunities for invest ment li ais on than ever before. In fac t, the e vent b e-

gan modestly, attracting just a few countries: neighbouring states and twin-districts. The first projects were less impressive but its founders believed that it would grow in significance with time. Now, all doubts are past: since 2008, 56 investment

Participants of the Economic Forum get acquainted with the examples of the technique that is made in Gomel Region

agreements have been signed at the forum, worth $1 bln 360 mln. New production facilities and enterprises, modern sites and infrastructure have come to pass, thanks t o c o nt r a c t s s i g n e d i n G o m e l . Among these are hotel complexes, the trading-entertainment centre in Zhlobin, and the first hypermarket in Gomel. Importantly, this successful beginning inspired other investment projects. Until recently, foreign businesses only seemed interested in the regional centre and its major cities of Mozyr, Zhlobin and Svetlogorsk, as is to be expected. Working in rural areas is known to be more difficult. However, the forum has recently shown that investment projects are gaining a wider foothold. This year, districts have come into focus in signing new agreements and protocols of intentions. A Russian investor plans to build a mini-hydroelectric station on the Iput River, near Dobrush, produc-

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REGION

ing enough energ y for the entire district centre (avoiding current reliance on a boiler plant). Kalinkovichi District is another focal point for foreign investors: a Belarusian company plans to build an agro-

t r ic t. Having b e en op erat ing in B elarus for some years, he feels confident that the new project will build upon his Svetlogorsk business success. Yuri Omelchuk, the Acting Director of PlasmaTec JSC, explains

Since 2008, 56 investment agreements have been signed at the forum, worth $1 bln 360 mln. New production facilities and enterprises, modern sites and infrastructure have come to pass complex (injecting over $110 mln) within one militar y town, while an investor is looking to build an aqua-park in Kalinkovichi. A Ukrainian entrepreneur has plans to set up production of natural stone goods in Rogachev Dis-

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that plans are expanding. He notes that, on first joining the market, he was afraid of taxation leading to bankruptcy. However, over time, that fear was replaced by surprise: support from local authorities and inspection agencies has smoothed

the path to success. He calls upon his colleagues to work fairly to ensure that they enjoy the ‘green light’ in Belarus and avoid penalties for ‘misbehaviour’. The C hair man of G omel Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Dvornik, praises the regional accent of the forum, noting that it has a positive influence on the district economy and wider public well-being. He notes that the town of Vetka lacks any single industr y to provide employment. When just one enterprise makes an investment, it can completely change the nature of a settlement, brining not only jobs but local tax revenue and infrastructure and indirect financial injections into other small businesses. The more such small changes can be made in rural areas, the stronger our country will become and standards of living will rise. Every investment project has the potential to be valuable. By Violetta Dralyuk

BUSINESS-FORUM

Warm wind from the Baltics

S h a r i n g a b order does not always guarante e unconditional mutual love, as Latvia knows. For many years, Latvia has acted (in all spheres) with a careful eye to the West. Our relationship is like that of neighbours sharing a stairwell: without direct friendship but there in case of need. Regarding our political relations, these could be better. The most developed ties centre on business, since trade partners have a vested interest in strengthening their economic benefit. Business circles in Belarus and Latvia enjoy honest dialogue, as was evident at the recent Latvian-Belarusian business forum and matchmaking session. The language of money is universal; those who speak it understand each other well. In fact, 772

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Belarusian-Latvian dialogue sincere at business forum and matchmaking session

legal entities using Latvian capital currently operate in Belarus, while 2,020 enterprises with Belarusian ‘roots’ operate in Latvia.

A large delegation arrived in Minsk from Latvia for the businessforum, including not only Latvian Saiema (Parliament) deputies but

Latvia is among the top ten trading partners of Belarus, purchasing our petrochemicals, metal goods, timber, mineral fertilizers, foodstuffs, tractors, clothes and footwear Latvia is among the top ten trading partners of Belarus, purchasing our petrochemicals, metal goods, timber, mineral fertilizers, foodstuffs, tractors, clothes and footwear. Meanwhile, we import chemicals, optical devices, medicines and textiles from Latvia.

members of self-government bodies from major cities, and the heads of about 35 Latvian companies. Guests were met with all ceremony, and signed a co-operation programme b etwe en R iga City C ounci l and Minsk City Executive Committee. Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs has called

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VIEW

Optimistic foreign assessments International financial organisations are showing growing interest in implementing projects in Belarus, notes Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Konrad Pawlik, at Minsk seminar for Polish investors

“R

The Head of Minsk City Executive Committee Andrey Shorets and the Head of Riga City Council Nils Ušakovs

the document not simply ‘detailed’ but providing a ‘step-by-step strategy of mutual work on all aspects of life in our two capitals’. It covers ever ything from maintenance of inner-courtyards, and housing and communal services, to culture, sports and trade. Minsk Mayor Andrey Shorets ag re e s , s ay i ng , “Pr a c t i c e show s that we can learn from each other, and that many directions exist upon which co-operation may be strengthened.” The Latvian delegation brought with it details of the Riga Court project, previously known in Moscow as a good example of co-operation between national manufacturers. Companies create thematic displays, to build a clear image and to promote public knowledge of their goods, while gaining direct sales. In Moscow, there were 25 such sites, although the introduction of food

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sanctions against Russia has caused a number of European countries to end deliveries of dairy and meat, fish and other goods. Now, Latvian enterprises hope to direct the project towards Minsk’s shopping centres, opening ‘pop-up’ stalls there, and offering the same ‘Minsk courts’ in Riga and other major Latvian cities. The Riga City Council Chairman of the City Development Committee, Maxim Tolstoy notes, “Even without this move, branded Belarusian goods are well-known in Latvia and, importantly, popular.” The business forum has proven that Latvian business circles are keen to liaise with manufacturers and potential consumers and investors. They are seeking partners and distributors, and wish to conduct market research, with the aim of achieving mutually advantageous co-operation. By Alexander Benkovsky

ecently we’ve seen growing interest from international financial organisations regarding the realisation of projects in Belarus,” underlines Mr. Pawlik. He adds, “We hope that the improving economic situation in Belarus will raise the country’s credit rating, helping intensify Polish-Belarusian economic partnerships.” In his view, international financial organisations’ interest in Belarus derives from optimism regarding our economic development. Sceptics would have us believe that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation are looking about for alternate ‘recipients’ of investment funds because of conflict in the region but, in truth, these organisations are realising Belarus’ potential and prospects. Mr. Pawlik emphasises that ‘the rhetoric of reform should translate into real action’ and notes that Poland’s economy has benefitted greatly from co-operation with international financial organisations. Various sectors of the Polish economy, including those not sufficiently attractive from a commercial point of view, have allowed the country not only to upgrade its economy but also to introduce international standards in terms of attracting investment. Mr. Pawlik has invited investors to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by international organisations in Belarus, being convinced that this will inspire further dynamic development of BelarusianPolish economic relations and effective use of existing potential. He also welcomes Belarus’ use of opportunities being offered by the Polish banking system and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation (KUKE).

Alexander Ruzhechka

UNIQUE PROJECT

At the construction of Belarusian nuclear power station objects

City for nuclear experts New town being built near the small Belarusian town of Ostrovets, to accommodate construction and service staff of first Belarusian nuclear power station

onstruction of residential district #1 is close to completion, along one side of a newly asphalted road, leading to the station. Thirteen multi-storey buildings are

already open and the state commission is soon to sign off upon another two. The second residential district is being built on the opposite side, with three buildings ready and another five to come. The district will reach full completion by

2016 and, a year later, construction of a third will be launched, where the current centre of the original town exists. In addition, a school and kindergartens are being built, as the Chairman of Ostrovets District Executive Commit-

Chairman of Ostrovets District Executive Committee, Adam Kovalko, proudly explains: We’ll provide comfortable accommodation to all those building the station. As regards future staff, many have already arrived with their families so we’ll soon launch construction of a new kindergarten. We need to develop communal housing, while expanding heating and sewerage infrastructure. We’ll soon begin on a new block for the local hospital, supplying 400 beds and the latest equipment, at a cost of over Br1 trillion

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UNIQUE PROJECT tee, Adam Kovalko, proudly explains. He tells us, “We’ll provide comfortable accommodation to all those building the station. As regards future staff, many have already arrived with their families so we’ll soon launch construction of a new kindergarten. We need to develop communal housing, while expanding heating and sewerage infrastructure. We’ll soon begin on a new block for the local hospital, supplying 400 beds and the latest equipment, at a cost of over Br1 trillion.” According to forecasts, after the second reactor comes into operation, Ostrovets’ population will grow to 25,000: triple its original size. The BelarusianRussian construction site will see the biggest physical changes this year, including the raising of a 167m cooling tower (rivalling the tallest Minsk buildings) — for cooling the nuclear power station’s aggregates. The construction site is the most important in Belarus, with 102 major objects, the tallest so far being 34m high. The first reactor will be over 44m tall (above sea level). This year, more than $650 mln is being spent on construction at the site, with around 50,000 tonnes of fittings assembled (transported by a thousand railway carriages) and 360,000 cubic metres of concrete spread. The trucks necessary to deliver so many construction materials would connect Minsk and Moscow! The scale of the thick reactor casing is also difficult to comprehend; it requires several dozen cranes.

This year, 6,200 specialists will be working on the site (up from 3,500). Most will be from Belarus, with some Russians (workers with the general contracting company and those assembling necessary equipment and devices). Most of the equipment has been imported from Russia and is now on site. The power station’s general director, Mikhail Filimonov, notes, “I must praise our joint work. The plans we outlined at the beginning of construction have been realised.

According to forecasts, after the second reactor comes into operation, Ostrovets’ population will grow to 25,000: triple its original size We have one language and practically the same culture. We also boast one and the same education, having studied from the same textbooks. Moreover, Russia boasts highly qualified specialists, such as Vladimir Masalsky, who was born not far from here and who helped construct Minsk’s nuclear heat and power station [reduced merely to a heating power station after the Chernobyl catastrophe]. He now represents a large Russian as-

sembly organisation involved in constructing the nuclear building, so we are liaising closely. Our best joint experience is being brought to bear but at a higher level; accordingly, we’re proceeding to schedule.” The high pace of construction is assisted by technological approaches, such as large-block assembly of the reactor. Thick segments of steel corrugated fittings are pre-welded, ready for assembly on site by cranes. Their anti-corrosion covering will prevent against rust for years to come. Meanwhile, huge steel pipes to circulate the cooling water supply are being welded in Belarus (saving the cost of importing from Ukraine and Russia). Of course, we could leave everything to the general contractor, including the employment of its own workers, but it saves a great deal of money to work locally. Today’s expenses will influence the prime cost of the electricity first produced by the Belarusian nuclear power station, launching in 2018 (for 60 years). Naturally, costs must be recouped. Many neighbouring states are keen to purchase Belarusian electricity, comments Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik. He emphasises, “Our major task is to be competitive on the domestic market, as well as on the Eurasian market; our costs must rival the best worldwide, which means spending wisely on construction. According to our calculations, the participation of Belarusian organisations has saved us around $2 bln.” By Vladimir Yakovlev

$650

This year, more than $650 mln is being spent on construcmln. tion at the site, with around 50,000 tonnes of fittings assembled (transported by a thousand railway carriages) and 360,000 cubic metres of concrete spread. The trucks necessary to deliver so many construction materials would connect Minsk and Moscow

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EXPERT

Victor Averin with students

Learning from overcoming odds For many years, Gomel’s Victor Averin, the Doctor of Biological Sciences, worked on overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power station catastrophe, liaising with Russian colleagues to develop radiation security systems. His work to protect the public from possible future technogenic accidents continues today, alongside western colleagues.

ust four years ago, the tragedy at the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station reminded us that vigilance must continue in this sphere. It was unexpected that such an event could occur in a highly developed country, and has since inspired various measures and legal acts to promote unified efforts in such cases of emergency. It brought about the

launch of an international commission on nuclear security, comprising experts from the USA, France, the UK and Japan, with Victor Averin representing the CIS. Meetings and discussions are held in France and in Japan. Mr. Averin tells us, “Our work documents in detail, step by step, the regulation of all services in emergency situations relating to nuclear power engineering, to allow prompt and ef-

ficient action to be taken, and to reduce consequences to a minimum.” A final document should be ready next year, for use by all states using nuclear power. Naturally, Belarus (now building its own nuclear power station) will become party to the document. Mr. Averin has been engaged in promoting radiation security since 1989, having initially occupied the post of deputy director of scientific work at the Belarusian Institute of Radiology. From 2007, he held the title of director. The Institute has prepared dozens of programmes on the safe development of affected territories, including technologies to aid the farming of contaminated soil. Victor has written hundreds of articles, and dozens of books and monographs on overcoming the consequences of radiation (based on the Chernobyl nuclear power station case). His doctoral thesis was devoted to minimising people’s exposure to internal contamination via livestock. Since last year, Victor Averin has worked as Dean of the Frantsisk Skorina Gomel State University, generously sharing knowledge and experience with young people, so that the next generation may know all that has been done to overcome the consequences of the greatest technogenic catastrophe of the 20th century. “Graduates of institutes of higher education are often unwilling to work in those areas which suffered from the catastrophe. They believe that the territory remains polluted, being ignorant of all that has been done to overcome the consequences of the catastrophe. Today, it’s safe to return to once polluted areas. It’s up to our education system, in Belarus and worldwide, to ensure that people know the truth.” By Valentina Grigorieva

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EDUCATIONAL INTERGRATION

Belarus joins Bologna Process, after Yerevan meeting of European ministers of education

he Minister of Educ at i o n o f B e l a r u s , Mikhail Zhuravkov, is confident that our national model of higher education is competitive globally. Joining the Bologna Process is a long-awaited event but how will it affect the quality of our university diplomas? Membership provides only the opportunity to share experience. BSU Pro-rector Alexey Danilchenko explains that our higher education system aims to become more mobile and competitive, raising its status on the world market. Naturally, our universities need to keep pace with changing times, reflecting the needs of the labour market. More young people than ever before are now receiving higher education: not just in Belarus but worldwide. The Rector of the Republican Institute of Higher Schooling, Victor Gaisenok,

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Alexander Ruzhechka

Bologna process begins...

notes that, since the later decades of the 20th century, the number of those studying at any one time has increased from around 13 million to 82 million! Every day, the figure becomes more impressive. This is a positive trend, since knowledge brings opportunities, but the financing of study has become a challenge, as has maintaining quality, and prospects for graduate employment. Belarus currently boasts about 400,000 students (400 per 1000 of the population). This places us at the fourth place globally, after the South Koreans, Americans and Russians. The number has increased eight-fold since 1960. In addition, every third student studies without paying tuition fees. At the first stage of university study, Belarus offers 382 specialties; at the second stage, there are 331, although most are humanities subjects, with communication, law and economics leading the way. About 90

percent of students at private universities are studying these spheres. Each element requires assessment and documentation, making good management essential. Meanwhile, society has need of more mathematicians, physicists and other scientific specialists. The World Bank has discovered that about 70 percent of companies in Belarus admit to being hampered in their development by lack of sufficiently skilled workers. It appears that our universities have some way to go to ‘catch up’ with the needs of the labour market. Meanwhile, more funding is needed, since only 5 percent of GDP is spent on the educational system (including 0.65 percent on higher education). Higher-education teaching personnel earn barely the average national salary in our country, rather than the ‘ideal’, which would be at least double the average. Financial autonomy for universities is also highly desirable. By Olga Pasiyak

LONG LIFE

Never too old for treatment?.. Every day, surgeons erase age boundaries, performing surgery on patients of increasing seniority; it seems as if countries almost compete to set new records

ost recently, a 100-yearold woman received surger y in Novosibirsk, while British do ctors removed a carcinoma from a 99-year-old woman from Manchester. In Dnepropetrovsk, a patient aged over 100 years has received an artificial hip joint. Many such cases exist: more than 600 people aged over 100 worldwide have undergone endoprosthesis replacement. Belarus is seeing more surgeries than ever on patients aged over 80: a notion previously deemed inconceivable. Minsk’s City Clinical Emergency Hospital carried out cardiac surgery on a 100-year-old woman 18 months ago, due to acute myocardial infarction. It’s never easy to endure an operation at such an advanced age but a council of physicians set out their tactics of treatment, giving her a heart stent, to restore normal blood flow. Afterwards, she spent time in an intensive therapy unit for cardiac patients, before going to the cardiology unit, and then returned home.

Early in the year, the hospital performed roentgen-endovascular (intravascular) surgery on a 94-year-old woman. With minimal surgical intervention under local anaesthesia, the possibilities are far greater for older patients. A needle is placed directly inside blood vessels, without the need for a traditional incision. Then, X-rays are

Alexander Beletsky, a corresponding member of the NAS of Belarus, and Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Traumatology and Orthopaedics, agrees that age is no hindrance. His oldest patient was 105: successfully operated upon following a cervical hip fracture. Traumatology holds the world record, with a patient

Naturally, as our population attains longer mortality, medicine needs to focus on the older generation. Such a line of development is stipulated not only by the technical progress, but by the life itself as well used to follow the progress of the operation. Patients recover quickly and age is no barrier, explains the Deputy Head Physician for Surgery at Minsk’s City Clinical Emergency Hospital, Igor Shimansky. He notes that elderly people are receiving operations far more frequently as a result; almost two thirds of those receiving roentgen-endovascular surgery are nearly 80 years old.

aged 115 years. Such surgeries tend to happen only in emergency cases, with all risks estimated; doctors always try to decide in patients’ favour, joking that where pulse and breath continue, operating is still an option. Of course, there are times when elderly people suffering from multiple illnesses and problems can find surgery more than their body can bear.

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LONG LIFE

Vladimir Karanik, the Head Physician of Minsk’s City Clinical Oncological Dispensary, tells us, “We always assess patients’ physical condition, and their ability to undergo surgical intervention; if there are no contra-indications, we perform surgery. Our oldest patient was 101 and, this year, we operated upon a 93-year-old.” Where other illnesses are present, oncologists avoid surgery, regardless of age, although age does influence the process of rehabilitation. Globally scale, certain restrictions are apparent regarding the age of patients, due to economic constraints. Meanwhile, organ transplants are rarely given to those beyond a certain age. NAS academician Alexander Mrochek, the Director of the Cardiology Scientific and Practical Centre, notes that an individualised approach is essential, with the saving of life, and im-

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proving of the quality of life at the heart of decision-making. He explains, “In the civilised world, there are no barriers to medical aid, regardless of age. All depends on the condition of the patient. Traditional operations present a major risk to the elderly, who benefit from modern technologies. For example, we can place a valve into the aorta. It isn’t that rare for us to perform surgery on those aged over 80 years, but it’s usually in emergency cases. Naturally, as our population attains longer mortality, medicine needs to focus on the older generation. Lyubov Voronina, an Associate Professor Chair of Gerontology and Geriatrics, specialising in allergology at the Belarusian Medical Academy of Post-Graduate Education, notes that life expectancy is rising worldwide, with more people than ever living beyond 80 and, even, reaching 100. Naturally, this is changing

the face of medical care. Associate Professor Voronina is optimistic, saying, “There is no age restriction to surgery! Obstacles more often exist in the heads of patients, their relatives and, even, doctors. Doctors regularly perform coronary artery bypass graft surgery on people aged over 85! Operations to insert prosthetics are often successful.” By Olga Pasiyak

Belarus’ Reference:  Ten years ago, Belarusian ophthalmologists were the first in the world to operate upon a woman aged 117; she had been completely blind for four years but her heart was strong and blood pressure normal. Accordingly, she was given implanted artificial crystalline lenses.

TRANSPLANTOLOGY

Last hopes fulfilled Billionaire David Rockefeller, celebrating his 100th birthday this June, has been the subject of an Internet rumour claiming that he has had his heart transplanted for the sixth time. Mr. Rockefeller had his first operation at the age of 61, after a car accident. Talking to journalists, he shared his hope to live for two centuries but many have viewed his words as a mockery, since transplants are costly and finding donor organs is no easy task. Nine out of ten die failing to live long enough to find an appropriate donor.

epeat-transplantations are under focus in Belarus, as the Chief Outside Transplantologist of the Health Ministry and the Head of the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre of Organ and Tissue Transplantation, Oleg Rummo, explains. No medical restrictions exist regarding the number of times

a patient may receive a transplant. “Speaking of repeat-transplantation, this doesn’t principally differ from primary transplantation. Reasons vary: a donor organ fails to take root or complications arise following viral infection. It sometimes happens that patients ignore their doctor’s recommendations; in such cases, we need to begin again from scratch. All organ transplants — including secondary — are conducted free of charge for

Price tag  A donor organ costs ‘nothing’ (any other situation is a criminal case). However, there is a cost involved in surgery: for the doctors’ time, medicines and equipment. A kidney transplant costs $15,000, while post-operative treatment (including medication) costs $7,000 annually. A liver transplant costs $25,000 and that for a heart costs $50-60,000. Meanwhile, in Germany, it costs around 200-250,000 Euro to have a liver transplant.

Belarusian citizens. This may be why some patients don’t realise their true value, despite having faced death.” There continues to be a shortfall in organs and they remain viable for only a short period of time: a kidney lasts around 24 hours, a liver has 12 hours, and a heart is viable for no longer than 8 hours. Around 700 people currently await transplantation in Belarus: 90 need a new liver, 25 require a pancreatic gland, 20 desire a lung, and around 40 need a heart. Those needing a secondary transplantation join the same general waiting list, with no privileges, as is global practice. Sometimes a donor organ suits several patients but may also prove useless. According to the Chief Cardio-surgeon of the Health Ministry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Yuri Ostrovsky, there are several patients in the gravest state, waiting

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TRANSPLANTOLOGY to be operated upon. He notes, “If we His new organ functioned well for 4.5 need to make a choice in this situa- years but then failed. He paid $150,000 tion, social factors are taken into for his surgery, which proved consideration: age (with youngsuccessful. He enjoyed stayest given preference), lifestyle ing at our clinic and the and whether a patient has sum paid was far less than children. Moreover, if a perit would have been in the son has acted irresponsibly USA. In fact, in China, such with his health (and organs) operations are a third of the and fails to amend his lifestyle price of ours in Belarus and the The Chief after receiving a donor organ, it flight takes just one hour from Cardiosurgeon is unlikely that they’ll receive a of the Health Japan. However, the man prefavourable decision on a second Ministry Yuri ferred to spend 13 hours flying, Ostrovsky application.” to come to Minsk.” Medical hospitality is repaid a In Belarus, a repeat heart transplant has been conducted only twice, both hundredfold, since the fee charged for times in 2014. Mr. Ostrovsky explains a foreign patient pays for 5 or 6 simi-

Belarus is among the top 30 countries in the field of transplantology and the undisputable leader within the CIS, ahead of Russia (with five times more transplants per million of the population) and Ukraine (20 times more transplants). Belarus is even ahead of Poland and some EU states that the reason was a dysfunctional lar operations for Belarusian citizens. donor organ and the patient was of a Transplantologists have their own young age. In line with general pro- view on Mr. Rockefeller’s sixth ‘retocol, recipients of donor hearts may birth’, viewing it through the prism of be no older than 65; however, in social justice; in the USA, mediBelarus, the oldest age for the cal treatment varies by ability operation has been 68. to pay, benefitting those with Of ‘repeat transplants’ more wealth. Worldwide, the most common organ is most people take a dim view the kidney, with six in Belaof a billionaire aged 100 rerus having been operated upon ceiving his sixth donor heart, three times and dozens having while a simple man aged 40 Head of the may lack even a first chance. benefitted from kidney dona- TheRepublican tions. So far, 16 patients have “Such an operation would ScientificCentre never be conducted in the had their liver transplanted Practical of Organ and twice. Mr. Rummo tells us, “In European Union,” Mr. RumTissue some cases, the donor organ Transplantation mo is convinced. “I’m sure it Oleg Rummo failed to take; in others, pawould never take place in our tients had received their first opera- country either. In America, money tion abroad. Not long ago, we operated reigns and, accordingly, people take upon a 49 year old Japanese man who risks. However, some can afford had been given his first liver transplant to do as they like.” By Marina Zubovich at New York’s Columbia University.

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Letter of the law  Belarusian law states that all citizens offer presumed consent for organ donation upon death: as in Austria, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary and many other states. However, close relatives have the right to disagree, in written or oral form. If there are no relatives or they decline to discuss the topic with the doctor, consent is viewed as given.  Doctors have a duty to indicate possible donors and, after all legal procedures have been executed (with the General Prosecutor’s Office informed), the organ is removed. If a young and healthy person dies in a car crash, their organs may save the lives of seven people!  If a Belarusian citizen decides that they do not wish to donate their organs, they must send a written document by post to the Republican ScientificPractical Centre of Organ and Tissue Transplantology. This choice does not preclude them from receiving a kidney, liver or heart transplant. Over 2,200 Belarusians have refused postdeath donorship but, according to doctors, this is a small figure. Donors have, to date, saved the lives of 1,525 people.

Ivan Zhdanovich

SUBTLETIES OF PROFESSION

Thank you, doctor! 2015 беларусь.belarus

SUBTLETIES OF PROFESSION

Compassion for childhood friend brought Vladimir Tsarev to medicine

r. Tsarev heads a department at the Centre for Traumatology and Orthopaedics, at the 6th Clinical Hospital in Minsk. By giving patients new hip joints he frees them from pain and returns their mobility. They can even walk down steps to enter a pool, with no sign of suffering. Following her hip replacement, 8 years ago, a friend of mine enthusiastically told me how she’d walked around the beautiful city of Prague. She’d needed a cane before, and had taken painkillers constantly. Svetlana still remembers Vladimir, whom she calls a ‘god’ in his professional realm. New knee, hip, and ankle joints can offer sufferers a new lease of life. Over the past quarter of a century, there have been tens of dozens of such operations in Belarus, including some surgeries on foreigners. During four last months of 2015 alone, 175 foreigners sought medical attention at the 6th Clinical Hospital and underwent treatment there. And 27 foreigners were operated. Medical tourism in Belarus is becoming more popular, especially in orthopaedics. Here, we meet some of those who have been helping improve the lives of others for three decades.

Pain a thing of the past Vladimir, the years take their toll on our bodies. What happens with our joints?

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A joint has a certain job to do. Our bodies have the capacity to regenerate, with nails growing for instance. However, if you wore a thimble on your trimmed nail, it would prevent growth. Certain conditions are needed for our body to do its job. If you fracture a bone, you need to have it immobilized in order for it to heal. If the job isn’t well done, your leg will heal but with weakness: with a ‘false joint’ formed where the bone has

knitted. There is scar tissue, then fibrous cartilage, and then a joint: your body realigns its processes! I underline that joints allow movement. They wear out through use, and certain sports and jobs place extra strain on them. We all age differently in this respect. Some illnesses also weaken joints, such as psoriasis and rheumatism.

Is it good to keep moving? Yes; it helps. If patients come to us in the early stages of osteoarthritis and heed our recommendations, we can stop their joints from wearing out at the same rate. Is a healthy lifestyle essential to maintain mobility in old age? Of course! In addition, avoid illnesses prone to degrading your cartilage and connective tissue. If, unfortunately, the joint needs replacing, is there an age limit? Not at all; it’s never too late to walk again and enjoy life. How e v e r, you need to be in a reasonably fit condition. We have performed such surgery on patients aged 100 or more. There were two last year: a woman and a man. Both had suffered a medial femur neck fracture. Usually, at this age, patients aren’t fit enough to endure surgery, but these two were exceptions and left on their feet. We have great ability and can perform surgery at any age, in theory. We have a 91year-old patient who looks 65. He is a clever man who looks after his health

We uphold standards set by the international community of doctors and do our best to train our young specialists, in whose hands our future lies

SUBTLETIES OF PROFESSION and listens to his body. He avoids becoming ill and has joints similarly ‘young’. He has told us that he’s aiming to live to 120. Do you see many patients like this? More than we used to. I admire these people. After all, it’s not easy to consistently look after your health; it takes time and effort. However, those who do, have fewer joint problems. If they do suffer, it tends to be a congenital disorder. Preventive medicine can deter the severity of such diseases, if caught early, so never delay seeing your doctor. Prompt diagnosis of early hip dislocation or dysplasia of the hip joint may allow correction without surgery.

Better before… At what age can child dysplasia be corrected without surgery? The sooner changes are detected, the better. As a rule, such newborn problems tend to be hip joint related. The orthopaedic surgeon will assign an ultrasound examination, since this is least harmful to the baby. Sometimes, the femoral head is not yet covered by the acetabulum (a deficit in the coating head); we simply bring the head of the femur to the acetabulum. The child’s own body will perform regenerative work over time. If this fails to happen, surgery is the other option. Our expertise is now at world level. Is our expertise in adult arthroplasty also at global level? Yes, absolutely! Any adult endoprosthesis replacement applied in developed countries is offered also here in Belarus. Many of our doctors and department heads are recognised experts, and members of international organisations in their branch of medicine. They have the opportunity to exchange experience and knowledge with colleagues abroad, and use the latest technologies. Recently, Belarus hosted a conference attended by arthroplasty specialists from Italy, Poland, India, Germany and other leading countries, discussing prosthetic knee joints.

There are no simple operations I heard that to replace a knee joint is harder than to replace a hip joint… There are no simple operations. Even the most minor always presents risks, and success is guaranteed only when correct techniques are chosen, in which the specialist is flawless, and

work. We can’t say exactly how long a joint may last. Some patients from 1987 are still going strong. We monitor all our patients, to find out how they get on. Much depends on how far their original joint was damaged and how far physiotherapy is needed, as well as whether the degeneration has been caused by illness. Such factors affect the strength of the prosthesis.

I recollect school years with much tenderness and nostalgia although I always knew that I would turn to medicine. It might sound strange but I chose my speciality at the age of five when the situation is correctly assessed. If all is in order, the success of surgical intervention is guaranteed. We wouldn’t have such operations if we lacked positive results. Surgery brings satisfaction to patients and improves quality of life; there are fewer side effects as we gain expertise. This doesn’t mean that we replace joints lightly; prevention is always the better course of action, with minimal radical intervention. Patients must worry about the replacement joint breaking or wearing out… Scientists are already conducting research, seeking ways to use human bone or cartilage when replacing joints, which will be able to last a lifetime. The Republican Scientific Practical Centre of Traumatology and Orthopaedics has been conducting research into growing artificial joints. It sounds like something from science fiction, but think how far we’ve come. Space travel used to be regarded in the same way. Tsiolkovsky was thought of as peculiar. Even in the late 1980s and early 1990s, very few people received joint replacements, and surgery was thought to be the only option. The situation today is utterly different. We offer a new chance at mobility and quality of life, allowing people to resume participation in society and

Also, patients need to look after their health, since our body is more likely to reject a prosthesis (as a foreign entity) if it’s unwell. The hip joint is like the ball support of a car. If I drive across potholes I place more strain on the suspension and am liable to break my vehicle. There’s no reason why a prosthesis shouldn’t last at least two decades; some people have had theirs for 30-40 years. Are endoprostheses manufactured in Belarus? Most of our artificial hip joints are made at Altimed enterprise, in Osipovichi. They have an international certificate, approved by the Association of Prosthetics in Switzerland: it’s a great achievement, thanks to Professor Alexander Rutski, a former Rector of the Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. He died recently but was a much-respected academic and Doctor of Science, as well as heading his department, which continues to forge ahead in this sphere. How are joints selected and measured? All are selected individually, from the model to the characteristics of the joint. It may be a combined model or may be fixed in various ways, to suit the patient’s condition, size and age. Each

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SUBTLETIES OF PROFESSION person has his artificial joint tailed to their needs. Even those of the same age may require quite different formulations. The surgeon measures various dimensions of the joint, to ensure a good match; this process is no less complicated than the operation itself.

Accurate calculations

Ivan Zhdanovich

Have you gained expertise through experience alone? Intuition is a good thing but, in our case, it’s vital to anticipate any problems which may arise during surgery, or afterwards. We discuss the proposed operation in advance, so everyone knows his role in the operating room. Afterwards, the procedure is reviewed, to ensure that we have taken into account all possible nuances. The surgical team works in unity, as a single organism. To communicate, we need only cast a glance or point to a tool. How many operations are conducted at your clinic daily? There are five departments conducting, on average, 2-3 arthroplasty operations each day. Tell us about your department. It is one of the leaders, with 55 beds and several offices. We are part of the State Programme for Surgical Treatment of Patients with Severe Joint Disease. Patients are under the medical supervision of experts, who determine the sequence of operations. We help those who need it most. In the early 1980s, we saw some severe forms of osteoarthritis, which were difficult to treat with im-

plants, because of changes occurring in the joints. Once a joint has lost mobility it’s much harder to restore. We have few such cases these days, as we take more preventive measures and can advise lifestyle changes. Our department boasts competent professionals who are experienced in the surgical replacement of joints. Similar experts exist across many departments but ours performs 350 operations annually. Other departments have caught up with us and, overall, our clinic performs more than 1,000 endoprostheses each year. Are there other such clinics in Belarus? Yes, we aren’t alone. The Republican Scientific Practical Centre of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, and the Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, at the hospital in Borovlyany, are also national leaders, conducting top-level surgeries. Every regional city has experienced specialists, conducting operations at a decent level. They train at the Republican Scientific Practical Centre of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, as well as at the Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. Even our district hos-

pitals conduct such operations and various specialists receive training abroad. We uphold standards set by the international community of doctors and do our best to train our young specialists, in whose hands our future lies. How long does it take to replace a hip joint? It used to take 2-3 hours in 1988; it takes just 50-60 minutes now. It’s a great achievement. How do you control pain? We use spinal, local anesthesia, as well as general anesthesia, having weighed the risks. Before an operation, all the specialists involved evaluate the condition of the patient: a physician, an urologist and an endocrinologist. If the patient has doubts or is unsure if they need surgery, then what? We select conservative methods and see how treatment proceeds. How long before a patient can stand following surgery? As soon as the very next day! Some begin very quickly to sit up and then stand beside their bed but most begin to walk on the second or

Vladimir Tsarev has never regretted choosing medicine as his career

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SUBTLETIES OF PROFESSION

When a patient comes to me with mobility problems, perhaps even in a wheelchair, and then, some time later, returns smiling in gratitude, I feel huge satisfaction third day. Previously, it was the fifth or sixth day. The sooner a patient begins to walk, the better, as it reduces the risk of complications.

Valerik, I’ll cure you! What brought you to medicine and to this specialisation? I was born in Russia but, at the age of two months, my parents moved to Brest. My father, Vladimir, served in this Belarusian city with the military. My mother, Lidia, was born in the village of Nevzuchie, in Smolensk Region’s Rudnya District. I sometimes joke that I’m unlucky, as my birth was registered there [Nevzuchi is ‘bad luck’ in Russian]. My father spent the blockade years in Leningrad, taking part in its defence. This year, he is celebrating his 90th birthday. My mother is a veterinary doctor but had to move from one place to another with my father. She

rendered medical assistance, working as a senior medical nurse at a traumatology-orthopaedic department in Brest. My brother Sergey is also a doctor and my son, Andrey, is a dentist. My wife, Natalia, is a dentist too while my daughter, Irina, is a lawyer. As my father loves to joke, ‘there are only two normal people in our family: me and my grand-daughter!’ I lived in Brest and studied there, at the physics and mathematics school. I did well and was predicted a bright future. My schoolmates and I loved physics and mathematics, and our physics teacher, Ruvim Baskin. His lessons were so interesting that we failed to notice time passing. Being senior grade pupils, we learnt the same syllabus as you would in the first or second year at university. Even later, while studying at the Medical University, I used my school notes on physics. I recollect

those school years with much tenderness and nostalgia although I always knew that I would turn to medicine. It might sound strange but I chose my speciality at the age of five. I can explain. I had a 3 year old neighbour who broke his brachial plexus at birth. As a result, his hand wouldn’t work properly; it was torture for me to watch him playing. I felt so disturbed by this that I vowed to become a doctor and cure him. Each time we met, I told him, “Valerik, I’ll cure you!” I entered Belarusian State Medical University in 1972 and would ask lecturers how I could solve my old friend’s problem. I was dismissed, being told that it was impossible to treat that kind of paralysis. However, I was convinced that it was possible. Flexor muscles can be transplanted into protracting muscles. Moreover, it’s also possible to stabilise a wrist joint, to stop it from moving. These days, there aren’t any children suffering from this kind of paralysis. There are birth traumas but they’re treated promptly. Sadly, this was impossible when Valerka was born. Did you manage to help your childhood friend? Sadly, no. By the time I graduated from the Institute and discovered what sort of an operation was needed, he had died tragically.

Keeping balance Did you specialise in orthopaedics at the Institute? I studied with the Paediatrics Department and specialised in traumatology and orthopaedics as a children’s doctor. I began my career at a children’s polyclinic. When I saw a child needing help and saw how they suffered, pretending not to have a problem because they wanted to avoid additional pain, it caused me anguish. I was torturing myself: I had to cause pain to treat them and it’s impossible to explain to children why we can’t immediately ease suffering. During my first year at University, I attended lectures under Professor Ivan

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HIGH TECHNOLOGIES Usov, who also taught medical ethics. He used to say that we would face traumatic situations. I remember his words well. He said: ‘If — after examining a patient — you realise that it’s impossible to help them and you lose heart as a result, give up your specialty. However bad a patient might feel, you must save them until their last gasp’. When I had the chance to further progress in my specialty, I took a clinical residency in general traumatology and orthopaedics, for two years. After completing it, I chose an adult specialisation, to ease my anguish. Do you have pupils and are you pleased with them? There is a saying that the best pupils surpass their teachers. I have such a pupil in Valery Vrublevsky, the Deputy Head Doctor for Traumatology and Orthopaedics (he works at our clinic and is my director at the moment). He is the chief out-of-staff traumatologist for Minsk. I’m proud that he began his career in my department, working as a hospital attendant and nurse. He was my deputy for some time. Do you regret choosing medicine for your career? I’ve never regretted this. How do you keep a balance between treating patients with empathy and kindness and maintaining your emotional sanity? It’s necessary to love what you’re doing. When a patient comes to me with mobility problems, perhaps even in a wheelchair, and then, some time later, returns smiling in gratitude, I feel huge satisfaction. It’s like a spiritual renewal, which is incomparable. Without this, I’d probably give up my specialty. What do you need to relax? It would be more correct to say ‘who’: this is my wonderful cat — British Charlie. I also appreciate time spent with my grand-daughter, Sofia, who is 18 months old. Of course, going to the countryside — to my summer cottage — is another way to relax. By Valentina and Ivan Zhdanovich

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Tackling blood clots

The 1st Minsk Clinical Hospital preventing fatal consequences from blood clots via less invasive surgery, with quick recovery time

s we know, when a blood clot travels the body, it can cause blockage, which may prove fatal — especially if it enters the heart or brain. Usually, surgery is necessary, under anesthesia. However, five middle-aged female and male patients have recently undergone a new endovascular treatment, allowing them to leave after just 2-3 days. The most common location for blood clots is the left atrial appendage, leading to arrhythmia. “Blood-thinning medicines are usually prescribed; however, these fail to take effect in some patients, and may even cause allergic reactions, or bleeding,” says the head of the angiographic cabinet of the 1st city clinical hospital, the chief freelance X-ray endovascular surgeon of the Health Committee of Minsk City Executive Committee, Pavel Chernoglaz. “In such cases, surgery has been thought of as the only option, but we don’t need to operate with a scalpel:

keyhole endoscope surgery is the less invasive alternative.” A small puncture can be made in the upper thigh, near the groin, allowing medical instruments to be inserted. X-ray control leads them through the femoral vein, and the vena cava, to the left atrium. Here, an ‘umbrella’, or occlude, can be positioned, opening the atrial appendage and avoiding a blood clot causing harm. Within 4050 minutes the procedure is complete. Currently, the state pays the cost of such intervention, with each ‘umbrella’ costing about $10,000. Previously, the technique was available only at the Cardiology Republican Scientific and Practical Centre and the Republican Clinical Medical Centre of the Administration of the Presidential Affairs. However, city hospitals will also soon be performing the new treatment; four specialists at the 1st Minsk clinical hospital are already trained in using the technology. By Alla Martinkevich

IN SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

Gene galaxy Staff of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Cytology have been searching for answers to eternal questions of human birth and heredity for almost fifty years, also being interested in changes occurring in nature and their reasons. These studies of Belarusian scientists — already widely known in the global community of biologists and geneticists — successfully continue.

s I’ve learnt from the Internet, the International DNA Day is celebrated in our modern times. However, before going to the Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Cytology to hear from first hand about our DNA possibilities, I’ve made some searches.

DNA epoch: some historical facts

The International DNA Day is celebrated on April 25th. On this day, scientists in the field of molecular biology made discoveries many times. In 1953, an article was published in American Nature magazine with results of the DNA structure studies — authored by James Watson and Francis Crick (who later became Nobel Prize holders). However,

some researchers are convinced that the DNA was discovered by little known Rosalind Franklin; the lady made photos of DNA strings with an X-ray accuracy. Friedrich Miescher is also among those viewed as the DNA ‘authors’. The doctor learnt of the DNA around two centuries ago. While studying animals’ leucocytes, he discovered a strange compound under a microscope; it was present in cell nucleus. The compound bottomed as

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IN SEARCH FOR ANSWERS white flakes if a special solution was added. Friedrich called his find a ‘nuclein’ — deriving from the Latin word of ‘nucleus’. At that time, little was known of a nucleus structure but people guessed that its function was to store hereditary characters. However, scientists could hardly believe that protein fibres were able to store all information on a live organism. Only about twenty five years later, scientists fully agreed with that. Another important step in the DNA studies was an official announcement that a human genome’s decoding was close to completion. The event also took place on April 25th. However, it was then also stated that some DNA segments were still under investigation. The discoveries continued to be made but, according to official scientists, those were authored by an amateur — or a biohacker. It’s hardly possible to argue this as high technologies are now developing with a great speed and their accessibility enables anyone ‘to play God’. A couple of discoveries have already been registered: an amateur scientist — America’s surf-rider Josh — made a device at home able to test the DNA for genetic diseases. Another ‘discoverer’ was Richard Handl: he wrote a detailed instruction on how to create a nuclear reaction at home. Happily, he failed to practically realise his idea: Sweden’s law-obedient person made a denunciation upon himself to police. Internet users place home video with experiments of producing DNA from fruits and vegetables, using materials on hand: salt, shampoo, spirit and water. It’s become truly simple to demonstrate a child what DNA’s white threads of onion (as an example) look like. In addition, talks on a genetically modified person, with artificially produced healthy genes (much spoke of on TV) also attract attention. On hearing this, it’s hardly possible to decide: whether we should get pleased and inspired or frightened. It seems that a singly move is needed to create an ideal world where eternally young and beautiful people live. Not long ago, Andy and Lana Wachowski’s Jupiter Ascending has been

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screened to wide public, proposing a new version of events which might take place in the future. The plot pursuits the best traditions of an American blockbuster: owners of intergalactic worlds fight for the right to own the blue planet of Earth. One of the scenes features the main character (an owner of an alien civilisation) plunging into a ‘live’ water — becoming again young and beautiful. It later came out that a chemical composition of that miraculous liquid was from human lives of people of the Earth. It’s a truly strange and slightly frightening phantasmagoria on the natural selection in the future. In the past millennia, there were also attempt to create a perfect human organism. In the times of Antiquity, weak babies were killed, while those — successfully passing awful tests such as bathing in cold water — were not deprived of their right to live. Religion was then born which prohibited baby killing, stating that all humans are equal in

measures to eliminate any possible risk of ‘non-qualitative’ generations born. In the pre-WWII USA, around 50,000 citizens were forcibly sterilised and over 350,000 underwent the procedure in Nazi Germany. It might seem that the dreadful results of WWII should have affect the reputations of eugenics but some events — aimed at ‘governing birthrate’ are still topical in Singapore, China, India and Japan. In the modern science, many problems of eugenics — especially fight against hereditary diseases — are solved with help of genetics.

What our life looks like If our life is a residue emerged as a result of a chemical reaction, then what is its supreme sense? How do genes — which cannot be seen under a microscope — correlate with each other and how people’s special feelings can be explained? How was the discovered gene

The most painless method is to collect bio-material to further receive a DNA. To do this, a person needs to scrape his cheek (from the inside) with a special sterile stick. However, a blood drop can also produce concrete results the God’s eyes. However, care of coming generations continued worrying scientists’ brains. As a result, some time later, the world got acquainted with Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Articles were then published on the supremacy of some humans over others — determined under certain subjective features. In the course of time, that outlook received its name — eugenics: a study on selection of the humankind investigating human genomes and ways to improve their hereditary features. The notion — introduced by Darwin’s cousin Francis Galton — is most often associated with Nazi Germany. Its socalled negative eugenics inspired state bodies to call upon the society to keep to the rules of ‘social hygiene’ — taking

of ‘happiness’ studied if the notion of happiness is vague? Maria Mikhailova, a Candidate of Biological Sciences, an Associate Professor and the Head of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Cytology’s Laboratory of Animal Genetics, helps us clear up some of these tricky issues. Ms. Mikhailova has devoted over forty years to studies of the flora — occupying the posts of a research officer and the Deputy Director for Scientific and Innovative Work. She co-ordinated developments emerged as a result of scientific projects, for their further use in the national economy. Ms. Mikhailova’s many years of experience in the sphere of genetics help distinguish the truth and fiction on the DNA which can be easily found on

IN SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

Maria Mikhailova, the Head of the Laboratory of Animal Genetics, with the employees of the Laboratory

the Internet. She tells us of the peculiarities of a human organism, of the problems which animals suffer from and what results DNA tests would demonstrate. Ms. Mikhailova, some time ago, fans of Hollywood star Angelina Jolie argued in discussing her decision to ablate a healthy breast. The beauty made a test which indicated that she had a great possibility of breast cancer. What other information can a DNA test produce? A person is most often worried with a disposition to hereditary diseases — as it happened with the above mentioned celebrity. This is especially topical for those with relatives suffering from diabetes, insufficient work of the muscle system, heart problems or breast cancer. Truly, modern methods make it possible to detect gene mutations able to result in breast cancer. It’s also possible to detect whether a person has a disposition to osteoporosis, bronchial asthma, venous thrombosis, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy problems, the sudden death syndrome or other diseases. I’ve heard much of the latter recently. Is it a result of our speedy lifestyle and overburden of our organisms?

It’s also a result of the failed metabolism. We often read in printed media that an athlete dies during training or competition. However, it’s possible to learn of a future Olympic champion’s genotype in their childhood — to get know that this person should not go in for sports. A test helps detect a child’s disposition to certain diseases: for example, they might not be recommended to lift heavy weighs but are likely to achieve good results in athletics. Actually, all our national teams have passed such tests and some sportsmen — whose competitions are held at great heights against the sea level — are specially trained. Accordingly, athletes might be prepared in the lowlands to arrive to their competition venue just on the eve of the major event. A human genotype also makes it possible to distinguish what doses of a medicine can be accepted by an organism. It sometimes happens that prescribed norms do not meet individual needs of a person: some might need a double dose while others can accept a half of the prescribed volume. This is the so-called ‘full scheme of a genome as a genetic picture’. All these researches are conducted at the Centre

of Genome Studies’ laboratory of human genetics — headed by Irma Mosse. Can this knowledge influence development of certain diseases and avoid their emerging? Tests are conducted with the aim of preventing diseases. People might think more of what they eat and drink, also changing their lifestyle or climate. On the contrary, such tests can demonstrate that people need nothing to change. There is a non-accidental saying: be of use and carry your business on in the country where you were born. Some detected pathologies — like pregnancy miscarriage which is connected with certain gene mutations — can help doctors correct treatment. Our genetics laboratory registers women who’ve solved this problem. How is the test procedure conducted? The most painless method is to collect bio-material to further receive a DNA. To do this, a person needs to scrape his cheek (from the inside) with a special sterile stick. However, a blood drop can also produce concrete results. Who else in Belarus is engaged into studies of the kind?

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IN SEARCH FOR ANSWERS Since human genetics is an interesting and promising science, many institutions work in this sphere. However, each of them has their own special focuses. Specialised laboratories detect AIDS, papilloma virus or syphilis. In turn, other establishments focus on cancer-specific markers. Forensic investigation specialists study the issues of relationship while the Mother and Child Republican Scientific-Practical Centre oversees problems of children’s and mothers’ genetics. Our Institute runs its own Republican Centre of Genome Technologies which has obtained accreditation for the activity I’m speaking about. Have Belarusian scientists made any discoveries recently?

It’s not correct to speak of discoveries in a certain country. Speaking of global achievements, these are the result of work of people of different specialties. We have many scientific-research projects run jointly with foreign states. Two of them have been recently completed: they were realised jointly with Venezuela and were focused on bio-security of the environment and flora and fauna genetics. We also realise many traditional projects with EurAsEC states; scientists of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan rely on them in studying flora genetics. In addition, the Belarusian Republican Fund of Fundamental Researches has been established at the Academy of Sciences to finance searching themes in different

Nucleus Chromosome

Cell Width: 10-30 micrometres (micrometre is one thousandth of a millimetre)

directions, on the tender basis. Scientists from different countries work over these developments — including from Belarus, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Lithuania. We’ve cleared out some facts about people but what genetic problems are common for animals? Most issues upon which our laboratory works are related to genetics of agricultural and wild animals. Primarily, an animal must be healthy and our task is to detect its hereditary diseases in time — excluding ill animals from the selection process to avoid mutations. As regards wild animals, we are now realising an international project jointly with the Polish Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Mammal Study with an aim of ensuring

How does DNA work? The advantage of DNA is that the DNA form is its function. It’s a self-reproducing molecule which transfers the characteristics of living creatures from one generation to the next.

DNA chain The length of one whorl: 34 angstroms (an angstrom is one-ten millionth of a millimetre)

Diameter: 20 angstroms

DNA twists into whorls which are called chromosomes; these then gather in the nucleus of each cell. Copies for albumin creation are DNA sections (called genes). Characteristics are defined by four code letters: A, T, G and C.

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IN SEARCH FOR ANSWERS bio-diversity of European aurochs. As you know, this animal is our country’s brand. In the 17th-18th century, aurochs’ habitat was vast but, as a result of wars and urbanisation, their population has cut to just twelve animals worldwide. They key task then was to preserve aurochs as a species. It was necessary also to improve their health. At the moment, over 5,000 animals are already registered, with around 1,363 in Belarus. Actually, our country is the first worldwide regarding keeping of aurochs who live in wild nature. Among our primary issues is to distinguish genetic differences of Belarusian and Polish aurochs and to create conditions to ensure their population lives healthy and rich life.

Yes, it can — under the influence of negative factors such as long-lasting stress, bad food or ecology. The process of DNA restoration is possible; it’s called reparation. I’ve also heard that a DNA of a banana and a person are 50 percent identical. Taking into consideration that they contain genomes, we are semi-bananas… We are not bananas! This information is clear without any percent ratio figures. Meanwhile, we have 99 percent of common genes with chimpanzees. One percent of difference is a large figure? Are we much similar in appearance? I think, no. With this in mind, such a view has no grounds to assert that a person originated from a monkey. We may have

but genes cannot. We may take twins as an example. They live in different surroundings but they can fall ill simultaneously. Moreover, some genes might fail to work. There is a saying that nature rests on children but this does not mean that a child lacks any talent. Probably, some genes are 'sleeping'. A child might have failed to be educated and brought up in the way to inspire ‘nature’ to distinguish itself. What can you say of the 5 HTTLPR gene responsible for optimism? This seems an abstract notion… We all experience emotions differently. There are sanguine, choleric or melancholic persons. Some might be unsatisfied with the whole world as a source of happiness while others would

another example: a genius and a fool can differ little in appearance. How can we detect differences then? If this were an easy task, then our children would have been geniuses. Can a person change their genes through praying or spiritual lifestyle? Sadly, no. We preserve genes given us at birth and these genes will later be passed to further generations. It’s been proven that water can change its structure under the influence of sound. Why shouldn’t we then influence our genes? Each of us has their own lifestyle and education. A personality might change

be pleased with a loaf of bread. This has no relation to genes.

We preserve genes given us at birth and these genes will later be passed to further generations Every living creature has its own DNA, with a great number of genes. With this in mind, isn’t it harmful to eat others’ genomes? No, it’s not harmful. Each living organism has its own types of nutrition. Plants ‘drink’ water while people ‘eat alien genomes’; this is a genome of a single organism. This is the structure of our nature. A person is a plant and meat eating creature and we need to consume animal proteins — whatever vegetarians might say. Meanwhile, vegetarians can explain their decision not to eat meat: aggressive energy of a killed animal passes to people when they eat its meat. Probably, they speak of animal genes which we consume as a result… Believe me, we have enough ferments to digest food so well that no DNA is preserved. However, this food preserves many nutrient substances. As I’ve read a grapefruit can restore a DNA’s broken structure. Does this mean that it can be destroyed?

By Alisa Krasovskaya

P.S. It’s truly interesting whether the first Biblical couple — Adam and Eva — had their own DNAs. They might be formed after their original sin — for people to learn deciphering and controlling genes and return to immortality. These hypothetical issues are studied by behavioural genetics — a young science combining genetics and psychology. It is in its infantry in the world but we hope it’d create many discoveries for the humankind. As it’s become clear, genes cannot be simply destroyed…

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INNOVATIONS

Nearly 200 Belarusian bids submitted for All-Russian start-up round of Skolkovo Fund, held in Minsk

Ideas required

lmost a third of all bids have been submitted via the national project 100 Ideas for Belarus, including such ventures as Clever Surfaces for Biosensorics, Technology to Increase the Use of Antitumoral Preparations, and Training Simulator for Difficult Movements. Many relate to energy-efficiency. Meanwhile, there is the Virtual Museum of Hardware from the Time of the Great Patriotic War. Skolkovo’s IT representative, Vasily Belov, notes that it’s wonderful to see such high levels of interest and participation, since this helps to promote awareness of Belarus’ status as an innovative nation, and to attract potential partners and investors. Up to half of the total number of submissions relate to information technologies, showing the age in which we

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live. Of course, each project is judged on its individual merit, regardless of being ‘in vogue’. The start-up AntiTAXI was turned down as being unfeasible. Its software allows passengers and sole drivers to team up for joint trips but the suggestion of it being trialled in the Russian capital met with some amusement from a Moscow investor, “How long have you been to Moscow? Haven’t you noticed the feeling which have pedestrians and drivers towards each other. I’m afraid your project won’t be popular.” Physicist and engineer Dmitry Shiroky’s System of Automated Monitoring of Cow Fertility caused major interest among the jury and audience, as having prospects across the EAEU. Mr. Shiroky explains, “Our successful farms use similar mechanisms made by foreign manufacturers, costing around 100 Euros per unit while ours is just $59. When you have up to 2,000 cows, the savings are huge. Across the Eurasian Economic Union, there are about 10 million cows!”

Denis Bochkov’s ‘home’ musical studio for computers has the potential to save large amounts of money spent on expensive instruments and licencing. He notes, “A complete cycle of recording a single piece of music costs up to $10,000 at present while our musical studio reduces this to just $10-$50. It could generate over $5 million in revenue by 2018.” The All-Russian start-up-round aims to find tomorrow’s innovative solutions, taking its winners to Skolkovo over the summer. Every participant gains from the experience however, being able to attend master classes, training and seminars, led by experts in various fields of industry. Skolkovo Fund organisers include the State Committee for Science and Technologies and Minsk City Technology Park, who are eager to promote an innovative community. They believe that unity can only bring strength: a principle infinitely applicable to the IT sphere. By Mikhail Osipenko

TOURIST BRANDS

Estate revived Not only Belarusian museums but also private collectors helped in creating the exhibition within the estate

sion, delaying work with contractors. He notes, “Now, thank God, everything is over. The experts have completely restored the original shape of the estate, with lost features recreated in modern materials. The estate is living once more, which is the important thing. We hope that everyone visiting the halls may be filled with the spirit of the 19th century.” In fact, the architectural elements, fragments of picturesque decor, mouldings and ornamentally

tiled stoves and fireplace look like new. The impression is deceptive: all the stoves are authentic and each is a work of art. They would work for their intended purpose if needed but are not lit, on safety grounds. Restoring the interiors has taken several years, since war and time had not spared the floors, windows or ceilings. Some fragments have been left as they were, so that the work undertaken can be appreciated. By Yuliana Leonova

Tatiana Stolyarova

estoration of the estate, which once belonged to the Prushinsky and Lyubansky families, has taken six years. In the 1920s, it was home to academician Vavilov and, a century earlier, to Dunin-Marcinkiewicz. Work began in 2008, though plans were initiated in 2002, by Minsk City Executive Committee: entitled ‘On the Restoration and Development of Loshitsa Estate and Park Complex in Minsk’. The Deputy Director of Minsk’s History Museum, Piotr Khotko, tells us that it was very difficult for restorers and designers to come to a unified deci-

Minsk’s most popular ghost, the White lady of Loshitsa, may be seeking peace elsewhere, joke those employed on the estate. Following restoration, visitors are flooding to tour the beautiful tourist site. Featuring 19th century-early 20th century architectural elements, it has received the expertise of Belrestavratsiya enterprise.

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Soyuz Talent should be assisted

n 2009, the 21st Century Talents sci-tech contest for Union State young people was launched. At that time, it enjoyed no pretension to high status; now, it is known as a major, image-making event, enabling its participants to show their mastery and abilities in the sphere of serious science. Every second year, young inventors, winners and prize holders of international and regional competitions and conferences present their projects across eight scientific areas. Interestingly, some works already enjoy registered patents. As is traditional, finals feature 15 teams from Russia and 8 from Belarus: each comprising twelve 14-18 year olds. The recently held Union State contest gathered young talents in St. Petersburg. Speaking of contestants’ works, the State Secretary of the Union State, Grigory Rapota, noted that many talented children live in Belarus and Russia. “We’re delighted by our youngsters’ passion for science and engineering. They pen-

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Belarus — Russia

21st Century Talents contest of Union State youngsters as ticket to serious science

etrate to the heart of problems. Among the projects are many truly interesting ideas worthy of joining serious science, owing to their significance. Some are already patented. As regards prospects, our winners are sought by universities and tend to have no problem enrolling. Moreover, it’s great to know that so many boys and girls are professionally oriented — being aware of what they’d like to do in their adult life. Sadly, some regions fail to create conditions for these children to realise their capabilities; it’s an important aspect. Contestants from Kabardino-Balkaria worthily rival Minskers and others: for several years, they’ve entered the 21st Century Talents finals, thanks to their region encouraging children in a love for science and engineering. This is great. I’m convinced that forums of this kind must be promoted. Our task is to assist young inventors in finding their way, for the benefit to the state’s future,” he underlines.

The contest is a Union State project but Mr. Rapota hopes other Eurasian Union member states will participate in future. “The contest would benefit,” he notes, adding, “We’re trying to attract as many participants from Russia and Belarus as possible, because there’s potential for more entrants. Since 2009, the number of finalists has reached 2,000 and their geography is set to expand. The St. Petersburg exhibition of finalists featured a miniature border motor-boat, which won the ‘Technical Modelling’ nomination. Designer Roman Knyrev, from Orsha, commented, “I’m trained by my father, who is a boat maker. This victory is valuable, since I plan to enter an engineering department. I’m already building a new model: of a submarine.” Polina Pomogaeva, from Kabardino-Balkaria, won the ‘Video Film’ nomination. She explains, “The jury were surprised to discover that I’d collected so many materials on my countryman: academician and laureate of numerous awards, Timur Eneev. He has achieved much for the space sphere, having helped develop the legendary R-7 rocket. A small plant is named after him.” T he ju r y we re a ls o mu ch pleased and impressed by a robotvacuum, which not only cleans but scans for hazardous gases, smoke, fire and mercury vapour, calling the rescue service or its owner. The device can report on the weather and remind of favourite recipes, as well as bring slippers and turn off the iron! The invention is the work of tenth grade pupil Alexander Dubovistky, from Minsk. Just as intriguing is an invention by Mogilev’s Ilya Shubin: a 3D printer for inscriptions on chocolate; it can even create portraits. The idea would surely appeal to confectionaries. St. Petersburg’s Sergey Lappo demonstrated his device to safely send text messages, while Yegor Zhumikov (from Crimea) showed his road safety software, which forces a car to stop for pedestrians. Other projects included simulators for ballistic rockets and a mobile industrial complex for mining gelium-3 on the Moon, in addition to alternative energy sources. Some might treat children’s inventions with scepticism, saying they’re unlikely to create a technical revolution. However, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created their first personal computer in the garage in the 1970s: a true engineering miracle. Inquisitive minds and a desire to invent drive forward science and technologies. The Head of Machine Building Technology at the Belarusian National Technical University, Valery Sheleg, who is a

corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences, tells us, “I believe that contests of this kind are a long-term investment; we’ll see our returns in 10-20 years’ time. Many of these guys are through to the finals not for the first time and, each year, the level of projects is enhanced, with more intellectual ideas demonstrated. Importantly, these children are occupied and have an outlet for their energies and talents. They are our future. Of course, they won’t all become employed in the field of science but, even if one or two percent do, it’s an achievement for our forum. In Belarus, the top three youngsters automatically join the list of talented youth, receiving scholarships. Meanwhile, the winners have the right to enter Belarusian higher educational establishments without any further entry requirements. The Russians may also follow suit at some point.” An academician of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences, Piotr Vityaz, is convinced that such events encourage patriotism. He notes, “These children speak of their developments with great enthusiasm and passion. It’s important to help them reach the goals. One boy, from St. Petersburg, told me that he’d love to become a cosmonaut but has poor health; as a result, he’s decided to become a space engineer. There are many such talented and enthusiastic children.” The General Director and General Designer of Russia’s Morinformsistem-Agat Concern has no doubt that some contestants’ ideas are suitable for use by scientificproduction associations’ practical application. “Following the exhibition of finalists, I have a collection of calling cards. Just now, I’ve talked to a boy from Gomel who has developed an air pillow; his invention uses an interesting aerodynamic scheme of air-flow distribution. I’ve invited him to visit a Russian aero-hydrodynamics enterprise during his holidays. I’m also impressed by the work of Darya Bereichuk, a 10th grade pupil from Rostov Region. Her district lacks a physics teacher so she’s developed e-teaching aids on the subject, in addition to a model pendulum (to demonstrate oscillation processes). This year, Dasha’s project was awarded the first place at the Russian contest. In turn, a boy from Penza Region has invented a measuring device for resistance and generator frequency, for use by university and college laboratories and small workshops. Enterprises should be interested in offering scientific support, gathering inventors who can bring benefit to the state,” he emphasises.

The 21st Century Talents contest is a Union State project, but Grigory Rapota hopes other Eurasian Union member states will participate in future

By Lyudmila Gladkaya

2015 беларусь.belarus

Comprehensive protection of information: a Union State priority

omputer technologies have penetrated all spheres of public and private life: banking, commercial and defence. Hand in hand, there are ever more ‘hackers’ ready to penetrate confidential data. It’s a global problem, with no country immune. In fact, millions of such attempts are conducted annually, with losses amounting to billions of Dollars. The problem has been under consideration for two decades within the Union State; conferences dedicated to the protection of information have been organised under the aegis of the Union State Standing Committee in Belarus and Russia, in turn. In May 2015, the Belarusian capital hosted its 20th such meeting, featuring public officials and scientists. The State Secretary of the Union State, Grigory Rapota, notes the importance of the issue, saying, “Improving information security is the most vital issue for the national security of Belarus and Russia, and the Union State as a whole.” With this aim, two major Union State sci-tech programmes were implemented in previous years, aiming to ensure information security. The third such programme is currently being developed and its major goal is to ensure that state and commercial sites enjoy contemporary means and technologies. The new Union State programme will be realised within 4-5 years. Regular conferences of Union State specialists enable us to monitor the level of achievements in this area. Belarus has achieved solid results in this sphere, with around 200 organisations and enterprises involved in developing corresponding software and hardware support. This activity is co-ordinated by the State Scientific Research Institute for Technical Protection of Information, which also

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Authorised entry only organises relevant Belarusian-Russian conferences on Belarusian territory. “These always tackle a wide range of problems: technical and normative-legislative,” notes enterprise director Alexander Gorbach. “Belarus is among the most advanced states in this sphere and our mathematical calculations and hardware tools comply with the highest level.” In 2015, an educational-scientific-production cluster on information technical protection was set up at the Belarusian State University, comprising scientific-research institutes and laboratories, as well as a specialised educational department. The Director of the BSU’s Scientific Research Institute of Applied Problems of Mathematics and Informatics, Yuri Kharin, explains how the new structure works and its purpose. He tells us, “An entire system has been developed for training specialists and scientists in this important sphere, starting from the school bench. Various methods of data encryption are being developed, in addition to national standards. Moreover, protection of information is ensured via cloud technologies.” Belarusian scientists are co-operating with Russian colleagues, since Russia has one of the world’s leading cryptology schools: a core of the information protection system. Russian scientists demonstrated much new at the Minsk conference, including an original computer system able to greatly enhance information protection, while reducing costs. This may become a new platform for co-operation. Discussion at the Minsk conference centred around speeches and reports on measures to tackle information protection; the results will be of use in drafting the next Union State scitech programme. By Vladimir Fiodorov

Union sustains success in orbit Belarus and Russia step 'double-headed' into space

n May 21st, 2015, Belarus took a step towards becoming a full-scale space power, following a decision by the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences to create a national agency on space research, as part of the NAS. It will combine and co-ordinate activity in the field of space research and remote Earth sensing, realised through the Union programmes for space exploration and space technologies. The First Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus, Sergey Chizhik, announced the news, explaining, “The new agency brings together a research-and-production enterprise of remote Earth sensing, Geo-information Systems, the United Institute of Informatics Problems (UIIP) and other organisations. It will closely co-operate with the Ministry of Communications and Information, and many other departments, within our country and abroad. The main objective is to raise the efficiency of space research in Belarus, and the practical efficiency of such work. Most of our country-partners with whom we co-operate in space research have such agencies.” The new state structure aims to support the creation of a new generation Belarusian satellite for remote Earth sensing, as well as the expansion of Belarus-Russia space grouping, and cooperation on the Union State scientific and technical programmes. Mr. Chizhik notes that HK A C Union projects are a strong platform upon RUZHE R E which the national Belarusian space EXAND AL programme is developing.

Every year, six space-related programmes are funded by the Union State, with the participation of the NAS of Belarus. The current Monitoring-SG programme is being carried out under the aegis of the United Institute of Informatics Problems (UIIP), in close co-operation with Russian partners, covering the period from 2013 to 2017. It aims to develop space and surface means of remote Earth sensing, for Russia and Belarus, raising the number of space vehicles and expanding their possibilities. In all, 29 enterprises and organisations from Belarus are involved, explains co-ordinator Sergey Korenyako (for the Belarusian side). He is satisfied with current progress and goals for the future, which include outline documents for orbital equipment and surface systems. The launch of a Russian microsatellite platform into orbit is now being planned. These are only fragments of our Belarusian-Russian space partnership, discussed by presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin at the recent session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State. Meanwhile, a joint working group (of the NAS of Belarus and the state corporation Roscosmos) discussed results of Union programmes, and concepts for new projects. The Chief of Staff at the NAS of Belarus, Piotr Vityaz, tells us, “We’ve planned ten directions of co-operation within Union programmes: at various stages of preparation. The Skif-Nedra programme, for example, has been launched, while Technologiya has been accepted by our Belarusian and Russian governments, being ready now for submission to the Union

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ALEXANDER RUZHECHKA

State Standing Committee. At the meeting in Moscow, we discussed new directions of co-operation with the Head of Roscosmos, Igor Komarov. We hope that he’ll come to Minsk to learn more about Belarusian scientific organisations and manufacturing enterprises in the space sphere.” Belarus is developing other directions of space research, with a Belarusian mini-satellite due to be launched into orbit in 2015. It is currently being created at Belarusian State University, in close co-operation with Southwest State University, Moscow State University and other establishments of higher education of Russia. Details are being decided, with components purchased and installed. Vladimir Saechnikov, Head of the Chair for Radio-physics and Computer Technologies at BSU, tells us that students are helping work on the mini-satellite: small but daring, it will be able to deliver considerable volumes of data, for use by various branches of the economy. Scientists at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus are close to the design of a full-scale satellite for remote Earth sensing, with double the capacity of the 2012 model. Working closely with Roscosmos enterprises and organisations, as soon as the Government of Belarus adopts its new national space research programme, creation will begin. Mr. Vityaz notes that this will take about three years, being launched into orbit via a Russian rocket, as previously. Efficiency considerably increases when satellites operate within a cluster. Belarusian-Russian co-operation in the sphere of space exploration has many aspects, including joint Union scientific and technical programmes of recent years. The programme of integrated standardisation of space hardware (Standardisation SG) is now complete, its results allowing Belarusian and Russian developers of space hardware to ‘speak’ one technical language, with a European accent, since new standards are harmonised with those accepted in the European Union.

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The Deputy Director of the Geo-information Systems enterprise, Boris Chernukha, explains, “In total, we’ve developed 69 standards, officially adopted in Belarus and Russia; of these, 29 were prepared by Belarusian experts. These documents govern the full life cycle of space hardware, from operation to recycling. Most of these standards are already applied at Belarusian and Russian enterprises working on significant projects, such as the Belarusian national system of satellite communication and the joint programme ExoMars, being carried out by Roscosmos and the European Space Agency.” To ensure dynamic progress, we must optimise the speedy adoption of Union scientific and technical programmes, notes Mr. Vityaz, to bring the timeframe of adoption down from 1824 months to just 6 months. The heads of the Standing Committee of the Union State and the NAS of Belarus have been debating how best to achieve this aim. The main commissions of Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia will play an important role in moving forward the acceptance of scientific and technical programmes, helping accelerate Belarus-Russia co-operation in the space field. By Vladimir Yakovlev

 The Belarusian remote Earth sensing satellite transmits information back to the surface flight operation centre for the benefit of ten ministries and departments. These data are assessed at approximately $25 million annually, with exported data bringing revenue of $5.5 million. Thus, according to scientists, the expenditures spent for the creation and launch of the satellite — worth $16 million — have already paid for themselves.

Hospital travelling to patients Vitebsk doctors to examine residents of Smolensk Region

molensk Region suffers from an acute lack of medical personnel in some areas, affecting access to treatment and early diagnosis. Where illness is lifethreatening, the results can be profound. Neighbouring Vitebsk doctors have come to rescue, since there is a co-operative public health agreement between Vitebsk and Smolensk Regions. Recently, Vitebsk’s Regional Diagnostic Centre purchased a mobile cancer-screening unit, for use by doctors ‘in the field’. Doctors have been exchanging visits and agreeing various spheres of interaction for oncological diagnostics. Belarusians are to carry out prophylactic medical examinations and occupational health examinations in Smolensk Region, and help rehabilitate Russian patients living in Vitebsk Region. A brigade of doctors is to be attached to the uniquely designed MAZ truck, screening for oncological diseases. The vehicle has four rooms: oncological, gynaecological, ultrasound-diagnostics, and a laboratory. It has now passed tests in Lepel District and, according to Yuri Derkach, the Head of Public Health Services for Vitebsk Region’s Executive Committee, residents of Smolensk Region will soon be receiving visits. He explains, “We’ve developed the necessary agreement with colleagues and will now tackle our mission. Our doctors are covered by Russian obligatory medical insurance and will be paid for their work. Meanwhile, the accuracy and quality of diagnostics will be guaranteed.”

 Residents of the Union State have equal rights to health services, irrespective of whether they are in the territory of Russia or Belarus. Russians coming to Belarus to visit relatives or to work will be rendered first aid if needed, without any difficulty, and can receive free treatment in state hospitals. The same applies to Belarusians in Russia, as is fixed by an inter-governmental agreement signed in 2006, in St. Petersburg.

Prophylactic medical examinations and occupational health examinations are being organised, with certain Smolensk Region enterprises and districts identified for visits. Beshenkovichi Central Regional Hospital has been chosen to send therapists, ophthalmologists, and ear, nose and throat doctors to Smolensk Region, among other experts, carrying out examinations. The Federal Trauma Centre in Smolensk conducts hitech operations on endo-prosthesis replacement, such as hip replacements. However, it does not provide postsurgical rehabilitation, which may last several months. Patients will be able to move to Vitebsk Region for recuperative care: not only following joint replacements but after heart or neurological surgery. Three medical institutions have been chosen: Zheleznyaki sanatorium, in Vitebsk Region, will receive about 100 Russians this summer. The first Russian patients have already arrived at Krupenino, in Beshenkovichi District, and the Vitebsk Regional Diagnostic Centre has opened its new rehabilitation department. After repair of a second building, there will be 70 beds for Russian patients, notes Mr. Derkach. Belarusian doctors plan to rehabilitate Russian youngsters in Vetraz, in Postavy District, receiving more than 200 children this summer. By Sergey Golesnik

2015 беларусь.belarus

wo decades ago, Belarus and Russia shared the commitment of ensuring security along their state borders. Two years later, funding was allocated from the common Union State budget to protect the external border of the Union State. The 2002-2005 Programme to Protect the External Border of the Union State aimed to reform the system effectively and was extended until 2006, funded by the Union State. About 2,500,000 Russian Roubles were spent on a wide range of activities: from constructing houses and barracks to equipping checkpoints and ensuring modern communications and training of highly qualified personnel.

Wings for outpost

ing. In 2015, further numbers of Belarusian military personnel will receive training at higher professional establishments in the Russian FSB (Federal Security Service). Checkpoints will receive upgraded automated facilities and four checkpoints will receive information security systems. ‘Radiobarier’ inflatable protection alarm systems are being fitted, while Pinsk’s border unit is receiving a set of unmanned aircraft, allowing monitoring within a 50km radius. Recently, Grodno hosted the Board of the Border Committee of the Union State, hearing mid-term results of how the programme is being realised. Future plans were discussed, with the Head of the Border Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation,

Army General Vladimir Kulishov, noting that all targets had been met. He believes technical support is essential in installing the new biometric systems at border points, with work due to be completed in December. The next stage of financing, from 2007 to 2011, allocated Last year, 800 million Russian Roubles were invested in almost 3 billion Russian Roubles, creating 16 new checkpoints border security. The Chairman of the State Border Commitalong the external border of the Union State. Two are placed tee of Belarus, Leonid Maltsev, explained, “We are gaining near the villages of Dotishki and Benexperience in using drones to protect the state border, in two classes: yakoni, on the border with Lithuania, while six new border posts have been those with a radius of about 50km, Recently, Grodno hosted commissioned and the military town which can hover and report to the of Polotsk has received new infraoutpost; and a smaller version, for the Board of the Border use by border guards on duty. We structure for its border unit. In adCommittee of the Union dition, 16 checkpoints have received are now working on how to use them State, hearing mid-term automated equipment and two telemost effectively. We also have small phone exchanges have been installed. gyrocopters, like helicopters, which results of how the There are also six signaling complexes monitor day and night, manned programme is being realised. can at intermediate points along the borby two people. They can land on any Future plans were discussed terrain: even on snow or water.” der and the perimeters of eight border service units have received technical Dense forests can make it diffimeans of protection and video surcult for gyroplanes to see what’s hapveillance systems. Russian universities have hosted 75 Bela- pening below, but are to be equipped with rapidly deployable rusian specialists and 80 border guards have enhanced their signalling complexes, which can send camera and sensor images not only to the outpost but to the border unit and to the qualification in Russia. The current programme to strengthen Union State border Border Committee. By Katerina Charovskaya security, for 2012-2016, foresees 3bln Russian Roubles of fund-

Union programmes help implement newest technologies in border security

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ALEXANDER RUZHECHKA

Music unites us Day of Union State among major events at Slavianski Bazaar-2015

he 24th International Slavianski Bazaar Arts Festival is taking place in Vitebsk from July 9th-13th, with the Union State providing financial assistance, as is traditional. The Day of the Union State will be held on July 10th, including the Uniting Space and Time concert, featuring such popular performers as Leonid Agutin, Anzhelika Varum, Timur Rodriguez, and Syabry group, accompanied by the Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir. The event is taking place at the summer amphitheatre, including soloists from the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus, Eurovision-2015 participants, Uzari & Maimuna and other artistes. This year, tickets for the Slavianski Bazaar went on sale earlier than usual, with the first appearing in Vitebsk box offices, and online via www.ticketpro.by and www.kvitki.by, on March 20th. Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies were available, as were those for the two final days of the Vitebsk2015 International Pop Song Performers Contest, and for solo concerts by Yelena Vaenga, Valeria, Irina Allegrova, BI-2 band, Grigory Leps and Valery Meladze. The Director of the International Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk Festival of Arts, Alexander Sidorenko, believes that this year’s programme takes into account various tastes. He explains, “The

Parade of Smiles, featuring Alexander Oleshko, Valentin Gaft and Gennady Khazanov, is a wonderful show. Undoubtedly, youngsters will be delighted with the Europa Plus concert, which will feature Sergey Lazarev, Nyusha, Sak Noel (Spain) and Fly Project (Romania). The Golden Hits programme, with Valery Leontiev, Pesnyary group and British Eruption group, is aimed at the older generation, as is our evening with Alexandra Pakhmutova.” As a result of the great organisation, the event boasts an abundance of young performers: from various TV-projects and those whose hits are broadcast often on popular radio stations (e.g., Natali, Yulia Savicheva, M-Band, and Teo). 2015 is the Year of Youth in Belarus and, of course, the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory: to be marked during the solemn opening of the Slavianski Bazaar. As is traditional, guests will be invited to theatrical meetings and a town of craftsmen. Meanwhile, On Seven Winds street art fest will be making its debut, presenting street theatres, musicians, poets, performers and artists. Among them will be Vitebsk’s Koleso (Wheel) Folk Theatre, as well as colleagues from Russia, Ukraine and Moldova. The expert council at this ‘festival in the festival’ will be headed by famous French theatrical critic Floriane Gaber, while the Vitebsk-2015 Pop Song Performers Contest judges will be headed by Honoured Figure of Arts of Azerbaijan Polad Bülbüloğlu. The children’s contest jury will be headed by People’s Artist of Russia Dmitry Malikov. Festival Director Alexander Sidorenko is convinced that the event’s traditions should be developed, taking into account contemporary trends. He notes, “Over the last two years, we’ve changed the stage design of the summer amphitheatre, adjusting for TV broadcasting. This year, we’ll do the same at the Vitebsk Concert Hall, which is hosting the finals of the children’s musical contest and the semi-final of the adult competition. In our opinion, the semi-final stage enhances the level of intrigue while raising the bar in terms of quality.” In order to communicate with foreign colleagues and share experience, the organisers of the Slavianski Bazaar plan to hold a conference this summer, in Vitebsk, devoted to the international festival movement. By Sergey Golesnik

 At the Vitebsk-2015 International Pop Song Performers Contest, Belarus is being represented by National Academic Symphony and Pop Music Orchestra soloist Valeriya Gribusova; Russia is represented by Sofia Muratova. Stefaniya Sokolova, from Minsk, and Yelena Titova, from Mogilev, as well as Veronika Ustimova, from Ulyanovsk, and Sofia Lopukhova, from Ryazan, are singing in the children’s contest.

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Belta

FESTIVALS

Daria Volkova, author of the firm style of the festival, artist-designer of computer graphics of “Vitebsk” Cultural center

What surprises are in store at Slavianski Bazaar?

rganizers maintain an element of surprise, announcing only the main names and novelties at the annual Slavianski Bazaar. Famous Russian singers, well-known in Belarus, will have solo concerts at the amphitheater stage. Meanwhile, Belarusian singers will also participate in the traditional concert programme, dedicated to the Day of the Union State. Tickets went on sale earlier than ever this year, on March 20th, with prices up on 2014 by an average of 15 percent. The opening concert has been selling out fast, even without its final line-up being confirmed, as have seats at Grigory Leps’ (expensive) solo concert: the first such at the Vitebsk festival.

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The youth project Europaplus TV. LIVE in Vitebsk is also being organised for the first time, as is the festival of street art, entitled On Seven Winds. The first is being hosted by the Summer Amphitheatre and, as my colleagues-journalists predict, is sure to prove a hit with younger audiences. The latter will transform the festival into a real carnival, with actors, artists, poets, musicians and singers delighting spectators with open-air entertainment. Collectives from Belarus, Russia, France and Ukraine will perform.The information concerning conditions of participation can be found at fest-sbv.by. Selection rounds for the event’s vocal competitions have already taken place in Macedonia, Mexico, Ecuador, Lithuania, Estonia and Israel, with Russia and Belarus soon to announce their representatives. The jury of the international pop song performers contest at Vitebsk-2015 will be headed by People’s Artiste of Azerbaijan Polad Bülbüloğlu — a singer and composer. The Grand Prix is valued at $20,000, followed by prizes worth $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000. For the first time, the semifinal, taking place at the Vitebsk Concert Hall, is being televised. By Olga Kruchenkova

CULTURAL TIES

Estonian greeting

he establishment of cultural ties is probably the best way to build bridges between countries. Estonian diplomats have brought collections by their most famous designers to Belarus, for the international To be Estonian project. It has already toured Finland, Canada and Luxembourg and has recently been presented in Vitebsk, becoming the first to feature Estonian works at the Regional Local History Museum. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Belarus, H.E. Mr. Mait Martinson, attended the opening ceremony. The second title of the show is Estonian Associations: participating fashion designers have been inspired by traditional crafts and folklore elements, creating a unique flavour. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Belarus, H.E. Mr. Mait Martinson

Vitebsk hosts the first exhibition of Estonian artist-designers Among those bringing their collections to Vitebsk are Piret Puppart, Diana Denisova, Monika Kisand and Riina Tomberg. Their works are accompanied by Anna Hint’s photos. All would agree that a great way to preserve historical roots and national identity is through national costume.

We’re interested in developing regional ties and hope that our cultural interaction will contribute to this process These talented, inventive and artistic personalities have created an exhibition more than ethnographic in character. Mr. Martinson spoke to journalists before the opening ceremony, noting that his wife loves many of the dresses on show and is ready to wear them daily. “Folk traditions are dear to many and I’m convinced that Belarusians — whose mentality and culture is similar to that of Estonians — will greatly appreciate the show. It’s no secret that, after the USSR’s collapse, our countries chose different paths of development: Estonia moved

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CULTURAL TIES towards Scandinavia and the EU. However, we shouldn’t forget our neighbours. We’re interested in developing regional ties and hope that our cultural interaction will contribute to the process,” he underlined. Mr. Martinson has worked in Belarus since last August and admits that he’s always felt respect and warmth towards our country. His brother served in the local army during Soviet times and also has fond recollections of Belarus, which influences Mr. Martinson’s views. The Ambassador speaks of Belarus as a calm and civilised European country, being home to honest, just and industrious people. He believes that it’s not always necessary to travel to remote lands to discover something amazing. “I’m convinced that Belarus can become an attractive holiday destination for Estonians. Our count r ies are neig hb ours, living in close proximity but seldom paying visits. Accordingly, we know little of each other. Happily, the situation is changing and top-level delegations are now making visits, which should produce a positive result,” the diplomat noted. Mr. Martinson was making his first visit to Vitebsk, which he knows primarily as a city of festivals and Marc Chagall’s homeland. He admitted, “A traditionally strong artistic school of talented painters lived here: bright representatives of the boldest artistic directions. For myself, I love realism and classics in pictorial art.” During his visit to the Belarusian regional centre, the diplomat not only experienced art, fashion and culture but visited Vitebsk City Executive Committee, to discuss issues of further co-operation in the field of business, education and other spheres. “I’m happy that a company with Estonian capital is working here: it’s a Vitebsk sawmill. I hope more joint companies will start operating in Vitebsk District. Vitebsk enjoys

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strong and friendly ties with its closest neighbours from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. We’d love to be known here as well, becoming a ‘gate’ to Scandinavia: our Embassy represents the consular interests of Finland and Sweden (we issue visas to these states in Minsk). We’d like Belarusians to know about this and make use of the opportunity,” the diplomat explained. Mr. Martinson is convinced that, bearing in mind global competition, small states like Estonia and Belarus need to support each other. “Belarusians know how to promote their goods, as I saw at the Milan Expo. Tourism also plays an important role. Old Tallinn is Estonia’s calling card, in addition to the Baltic Sea islands (such as Saaremaa) and spa services. I have no doubt that the Belarusian tour ist indust r y a ls o has its highlights and it’s only a few hours’ j ou r n e y b e t w e e n Minsk and Riga by car. It’s not much further t o Ta l l i n n o r Parnu. I must emphasise that we can and should visit each other. We’re discussing the launch of direct flights between our capitals, to make the journey more convenient,” he noted. Asked to characterise Estonia in a single word, the Ambassador compared his country to a wild strawberry, saying, “It’s not easy to find this berry. However, on tasting it, you never forget.” As regards cultural contacts with Vitebsk Region, Estonian artistic troupes have many times visited folklore festivals in Dubrovno, Postavy and Braslav. The Director of the Vitebsk Regional Local History Museum, Gleb Savitsky, supposes that the To Be Estonian exhibition (the first such at Vitebsk’s Town Hall) will be followed by others in the future. The Estonian fashion collections will head to Moscow afterwards. By Sergey Golesnik

SMALL TOWNS

Bouquet of red roses

Belarus magazine correspondents visit unique Belarusian settlement of rosy Ruzhany alled ‘Razhana’ (‘rose’) in Belarusian, and later ‘ruzha’, Ruzhany combines Polish and Russian languages. Its coat of arms shows St. Casimir (es-

teemed by Catholics for centuries) surrounded by a wreath from roses. The church of St. Casimir is near the city centre, surrounded by a cemetery and public garden, featuring monuments to Soviet soldiers and the inhabitants of neighbouring villages who were burnt by Nazis between 1941 and 1945.

Ruzhany is an urban settlement in Pruzhany District of Brest Region, located on undulating ground by the River Ruzhanka, 140km from Brest, at the crossing of highways Р85 and Р44. It was first mentioned in writing in 1490. In 1552, it belonged to Tyshkevichi, then to Brukhalsky; in 1598, it passed to the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Lev Sapega, who made the town his main residence

Nearby is the Church of the Holy Trinity: believed to be 400 years old. The 18th century baroque Uniat church, opposite, passed to the Russian Orthodox Church in the 19th century, receiving then a classical, pseudo-Russian façade. The two frame the market square of the town and have survived all conflict. Residents of Ruzhany number hardly more than 3,000, and tend to know each other by sight. As I walked along the high walls of the former Basilian monastery, a local asked why I’d been pho-

In one of the central streets in Ruzhany

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SMALL TOWNS

Plans to launch carriage rides from Ruzhany to the Palace, so guests can admire sights and imagine themselves as real ‘landowners’, like the noble Sapega family

tographing for an hour, showing that few tourists come, despite the town’s wonderful history. It’s a rare gem, boasting the same skyline as it had in the early 20th century: seen in old postcards. Most cities of Belarus suffered during the First World War and the Great Patriotic War, yet Ruzhany largely escaped damage. The only casualty was Sapega Palace: set on fire in the summer of 1944, by retreating Nazis. The remaining stones remember human tragedy, including the destruction of the Local Jewish community, taken during the years of Nazi occupation. Their synagogue still stands: a reminder of those who once lived here, near the market. The roof is rotting but the walls are almost undamaged, making it suitable for restoration. The facade might then be adorned with a memorial plaque in honour of Yitzhak Shamir: the well-known Prime Minister of Israel who was born in Ruzhany in 1915 and, possibly, visited this synagogue. The town’s museum is located in the restored buildings of the 16th century Sapega Palace, once owned by a family among the richest in Belarus, Lithuania and Poland. It received its first renovations in the 18th century, and was confiscated in the early 19th century, in punishment for the aristocrats having supported the anti-Russian revolt.

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Ruzhany museum director Ruslan Kniga would love to see tourists being able to take a carriage through Ruzhany, to the palace, feeling like the nobles of old.

Monument to burnt villages

The Palace’s many treasures were transported to St. Petersburg and many remain still at the Hermitage. Mr. Kniga plans to travel to the City on the River Neva, in search of his town’s valuables, and with the hope of returning more than empty-handed. Many of Ruzhany’s roads have been travelled by famous Russians, although there are few memorial signs. Emperor Nikolay II wrote in his journal, on June 22nd, 1915: ‘Monday. At 11.45 my carriage and retinue passed through Slonim, Ruzhany and Pruzhany, into Bi-

alowiez. Having passed the forest roads, about 30 versts, I appeared on Pruzhany highway and returned by the same track, to headquarters, by 11 o'clock.’ The ‘headquarters’ were located in Baranovichi since Russia was, at that time, at war with Germany. The First World War in progress... In 1965, director Victor Turov shot the film I Come from Childhood in the town, based on Gennady Shpalikov’s well-known Walking the Streets of Moscow. Nina Urgant, Boris Rudnev, Valery Zubarev and Vladimir Vysotsky played the lead roles. These days, on the edge of the Ruzhany Pushcha, three districts converge: Pruzhany District, Ivatsevichi and Bereza. The 210th aviation range, operating under military law, is located on this spot. Within the forest, on the bank of Lake Papernya, there used to be a paper-making factory. Now, it’s the site of Ruzhansky Sanatorium, which is popular with tourists from Russia. Local residents often use the health resort’s pool in the evenings, and there’s a cultural centre too, where theatrical performances entertain (just as they did at Sapega Palace more than two hundred years ago). For those planning a trip, Brest Fortress and the Belovezhskaya Pushcha forest reserve are both located not too far distant. By Viktar Korbut

Artur Prupas

PARTONSHIP OF ARTS

A happy journey Book-album about Alexander Kishchenko, released at the Four Quarters Publishing House, opens the Development Bank’s Cultural Heritage of Belarus project, which envisages annual release of editions dedicated to outstanding personalities, historical events and artistic values of the country

“I

t’s more important than ever that we remember the cultural history of our country and the great people of Belarus,” notes Sergei Rumas, the Chairman of the Development Bank, speaking at book launch for Alexander Kishchenko. Chronicler of the 21st Century, at the National Art Museum. “The shadow of various economic and financial crises will pass and daily problems will be solved but we must never forget our national culture, without which we can’t fully exist.”

Alexander Kishchenko was a prominent Belarusian painter. “The book is a worthy tribute to the memory of the great master. I hope that, with the help of this edition, everyone will be able to appreciate his personality and art,” believes Mr. Rumas. The painter’s creativity comprises hundreds of works, including unique Tapestry of the Century, made by hand, from wool, which was first presented in 1996 and for which he was given the State Award of Belarus. The unique canvas became listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest worldwide, and was recognised as a national treasure. Upon it, he depicted the most famous personalities of past and modern times — over 80 portraits in total — on the 19x14m canvas. In May 2014, the Development Bank hung the work in its office. Belarusian and Polish cinematographers have dedicated their attention to Mr. Kishchenko. One film captures the process of hand weaving his Tapestry of the Century, at the Borisov Works of Applied Arts. Remarkably, the author built his own huge loom in the shape of a cube for the project. The Tapestry of the Century weighs 300kg and is as high as a six-storey house, making it unrivalled worldwide as a work of decorative-and-applied art. It took almost six years to weave the 266m square work, which contains around 806km of thread. M r. K i s h c h e n k o a s i f summed up his creative life and the whole century in this work, admitting in 1995, at its presentation, that it might be his ‘swan song’. Sadly, since his death, the grandiose canvas has been on display to the public only twice: both times in Minsk. Undoubtedly, it deserves to be seen by the entire world. Nina Kukharenko, the widow of Alexander Kishchenko, as a professional artist herself, helped her husband

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HOLIDAY OF ARTS create the Tapestry of the Century at the ‘technical’ stage, preparing sketches on cardboard, for later use by Borisov masters. Ms. Kukharenko was her husband’s muse, drawn many times in his works; she was his pupil, apprentice and assistant, his friend and wife. His creativity was amplified when it resonated through Nina. Now, she is the keeper of his huge legacy; she voluntarily took up this mission and cannot imagine it otherwise. She honours the memory of her beloved husband and remains proud of everything Alexander Kishchenko created, wishing his creative legacy to be passed to all people on the planet, fulfilling her spouse’s wishes. “It’s very difficult but also very important. I hold a large burden of responsibility. It’s a lot for one person to cope with so I’m very grateful to the Development Bank and its Chairman, Sergei Rumas, for their huge support in releasing this wonderful album, dedicated to the creativity of People’s Artist of Belarus Alexander Kishchenko.” Alexander Kishchenko was a prolific artist, leaving about 400 paintings in his studio, in addition to tapestries. “People often ask to visit to view it, also coming to drink tea, and they always leave happy,” continues Nina Kukharenko. “All my husband’s works have a positive energy, as he loved life and admired so many things. I’m often asked for materials on my husband: a film was shot recently about him and his creative legacy has been recorded in a textbook on the history of Belarus — in the section on culture. His Tapestry of the Century and Chernobyl Tapestry (which hangs in the UN Headquarters) were landmark pieces but his creativity was multifaceted.” Nina Kukharenko has long dreamt of creating an album, dedicated to Alexander Kishchenko, as well as his monumental and pictoriall works. Now, thanks to help from the Development Bank, this dream has come true.

Muses of arts fly to Nesvizh Nesvizh is often called ‘little Paris’, having been the uncrowned capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and, for two decades, host to the Muses of Nesvizh festival of arts

esvizh has played a significant role in the development of our national musical culture, as begun by the noble Radziwill family. They aspired to glory as one of the largest cultural centres of Europe. It was Nesvizh, in the 17th-18th century, that attracted the best musical talent and which influenced musical trends, combining local and western cultures. The National Academic Concert Orchestra, headed by People’s Artiste of Belarus Mikhail Finberg, as Art Director and Chief Conductor, is helping revive music undeservedly forgotten, making it again familiar. Supported by local authorities, ancient polonaises, mazurkas, sonatas and operas are being performed, rivalling the melodies of well-known European classics. Our musical heritage dates from the 17th century (not 1917 — as is commonly held). The compositions of Michał Kleofas Ogiński, Jan Holland, Michail Yelsky, Napoleon Orda, Józef Kozłowski, Stanisław Moniuszko, Mieczysław Karłowicz, Maciej and Antoni Radziwill are being revived. They once sounded at grand balls, held in castles and on noble estates, spreading in fame across the world. Academic music certainly does hold the power to capture a wide audience in

Belarus, even beyond the cosmopolitan streets of Minsk. Full houses at Nesvizh concerts offer proof, as maestro Finberg declares proudly. Those who first came as children now return to the festival with their own youngsters. The 20th Muses of Nesvizh has featured a diverse programme hosted by the central regional library, the town hall, culture and recreation centre, and the theatrical hall of the Palace Estate. Debates and seminars, exhibitions and concerts have delighted those in attendance. Over these two decades, the event has matured and grown, gathering new admirers and shaping the tastes of audiences. It has passed the baton in reviving our little known musical heritage across Belarus’ cities, each distinctive historically and culturally. Muses of Nesvizh is a predecessor of festivals attended by the orchestra in Zaslavl, Mstislavl, Turov, Chechersk, Pinsk and Khoiniki: in total, 21 regional centres. Organising a special musical holiday is no simple task; making it traditional is even more challenging. However, the founders of Nesvizh celebrations are sure that ancient and modern national music should continue to sound. Next May, the muses will again meet in their hospitable capital. By Irina Svirko

 The Muses of Nesvizh Arts Festival gathers leading experts in the spheres of history, architecture, music, theatre and fine arts. Their research has found embodiment this year in a book entitled Muses of Nesvizh: 20 Years of Artistic Education, launched at a conference traditionally organised as part of the festival.

By Vladimir Velikhov

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EXHIBITION

SERGEY LAZIUK

VIKTOR MIKHAILOV

Leonid Dudarenko’s Code

At the opening of the personal exhibition

Aged 80, famous Minsk artist Leonid Dudarenko is still creative and active. Recently, the Honoured Worker of Arts of Belarus held another personal exhibition, gathering many. As ever, he wore his favourite red jacket, and modestly accepted praise and congratulations, as if asserting that he hadn’t achieved anything outstanding, only sharing his impressions. No less than 100 works, created over the years, graced the exhibition, with some inspired by his travels.

Variety of the exposition

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EXHIBITION

eonid is known for his sincerity and honesty and for his passion for his work, which depicts the real world: city streets, northern fishermen, doctors and family members. He enters the psyche of each person whose portrait he captures. Having received his professional education at Minsk’s Art College and at the Belarusian State Theatre and Art

‘Novogrudok’

Institute, he showed his creative independence rather early. From 1967, Leonid often took business trips, visiting Mongolia, Turkmenia, Yakutia, Karelia, Georgia, Afghanistan, and the Far East of the Soviet Union. These journeys inspired many of his best landscape and portrait works. He chatted with people, soliciting details for his heroes. Dudarenko focused on landscapes, using various decorative, and formal, compositions, with realistic portrayals of rocks, hills, ports and old buildings. His cityscapes, particularly, have strong themes and identities. In some, we hear the remote echoes of post-impressionism and cubism. Certainly, works touching upon modern global problems take an important place in his creativity: Epilogue (1988) and It Shouldn’t Happen (1986) combine images of the world, harmony and dead earth, after an imagined catastrophe.

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Mr. Dudarenko is a many-sided artist who long ago established himself as a master of conceptual art, landscapes, portraits and still-life works. A high quality of professional education and knowledge gave him the chance to show himself as an artist with originality: in life and in his understanding of art. Dudarenko is a vivid artist, with a deeply patriotic streak, applying traditional methods from the national school of painting, while also bravely experimenting and using innovative approaches. Having learnt from his teachers and colleagues, during his education and through independent research, he has a prolific portfolio across various genres and themes. Original picturesque language, perfected techniques and pleasing composition are characteristic to each of his works. Spirituality and figurative truth are ever present, at the heart of his creativity; they allow him creative individuality, without bending to modern trends. Leonid's creativity is inspired by Belarusian landscapes, taking him often outside of his studio, and to participation in international open-airs. Mr. Dudarenko’s numerous canvases are stored in museums across Belarus, as well as in domestic and foreign private collections and galleries. The original World of Master has his own philosophy and vision. How did you come to be an artist? What inspired you? I was born in Molodechno: a small town near Minsk at the time. My childhood fell during the war years; in 1941, when the Great Patriotic War began, I was just 9 years old. My father died at the front and my house was burnt. I had to help my mother in order to survive. Those were hard times but, in 1945, my mother managed to send me to Art College. Certainly, it was very difficult but I was lucky; right after the war, an art studio opened in Molodechno, created by a very talented artist (sadly, I cannot recollect his name). He taught me the foundations of art, and everything necessary for my development.

He was a true Master: as an artist, and as a teacher. I gained a place at Art College despite receiving a '2' for maths, as I had the highest mark for painting. Sometimes, an artist seeks fame, such as Malevich painting his Black Square His technique has been much copied but I believe that realism in painting continues to be the basis of Belarusian artists’ creativity. I was once keen on abstract art, wanting to look at the world in a new way. However, my mother asked me whom I was painting for. I answered that I wanted to bring pleasure to others and make them take notice, but she asserted that they wouldn’t understand my intention. I began thinking and, with age, understood that I needed to return to realism, in order to touch peoples’ souls and my own. An artist shouldn’t be indifferent to the world. I have a whole series of pictures on the theme of ‘Atomic War’: about the possible third world war, which might have occurred in the time of Nikita Khrushchev. We were very close. I have a lot of pictures on this theme. I also have a series on our attitude towards life and nature. Pictures are supposed to speak for an artist, so they shouldn’t need too much explanation; they speak for themselves. Audiences can always discern good work. When a picture is indifferent, you ignore it, since it doesn’t captivate you. It’s an empty space. Certain art is designed only to decorate homes, being pleasing to the eye rather than having deeper meaning. It isn’t true art. It may be beautiful but art should arrest people, forcing them to think about life’s purpose, and their personal path and identity. This is the true goal of art. You’ve travelled much and seen much. Did you ever try to depict a real place or person during your creative business trips? Or did you prefer figurative generalisations? I had to travel across the whole former Soviet Union. Hundreds of nationalities lived within it and, interestingly, each nationality had its own

EXHIBITION

It takes a lot of energy to prepare the basic canvas, and much time. It seems easy, just requiring brush strokes, but it takes hours upon hours. The strongest artists are those who don’t waste time in their youth. By the time you are older it may be too late. Describe the characteristics of the Belarusian school of painting. It developed during Soviet days. In 1918, Belarus became a republic: part of the USSR. Marc Chagall studied at Vitebsk Art College and we may say

and our own school. Of course, we’re influenced by western directions, and have conditional works departing from realism, but I think that, if you have grown up in this land, you cannot help but glorify it and its people, rather than use abstract forms. How much do you value your works? Do you leave them quietly in your studio or are you glad for them to be on display in someone’s collection? What is your attitude towards all that you have painted?

VIKTOR MIKHAILOV

flavour, distinguished not only by language and appearance but by attitude to life, nature, and everything. It was very interesting. I have a whole series of portraits of people of different nationalities. It was very interesting to paint a person who had not seen a TV-set, or other modern devices. What wonderful dialogue we had! What beauty there was; we went to the arctic circle, where no one had ever set foot. It was very interesting. When we discussed whether to go to Paris or the Far North, I always wanted to go where there was no civilisation. I’ve been so very lucky that I’ve travelled so much, seen much and created much. If I’d gone somewhere and painted nothing, it would have been a wasted journey. When was your peak of creativity? How did it begin, and do you still feel inspired? Artists draw upon life, their surroundings and, even, the state system. In order to create, it’s necessary to have strong energy. Sometimes, when you work on a picture, you become utterly exhausted, burning with inspiration inside. I can’t work for more than four hours at a time for this reason. The best situation is probably when an artist's physical and intellectual abilities meet. Once you reach my age, over 80, your brain understands everything but you lack your old energy levels. The desire is there but you lack the physical capacity. Today’s young guys are very lucky, learning from an early age; by 25, they’re already mature, able to paint good pictures. You have most energy until you’re about 35, so you can achieve a great deal if you have the technical expertise. Artists can paint into old age but they tend to have their pupils’ assistance, lacking the endurance. The ‘Old Masters’ had a whole school of pupils helping them, as so much physical work was needed. I remember Vitaly Tsvirko, the People’s Artist of Belarus, putting paint in jars and asking his pupils to paint the sky and the earth. He’d then find it easier to overlay his picture.

Lots of pictures to look at

that all Belarusian painting began in Vitebsk. Many of our artists graduated from there and entered the St. Petersburg Academy. At the end of the 19th century, and in the early 20th century, the Belarusian school of painting gained a strong identity, based on a realistic approach. We had a large collection of paintings from the Radziwiłł family but, during the Fascist occupation, in the Second World War, the Germans took all the best works from the National Art Gallery. Now, their location is unknown. When we created the museum, after the war, works were brought from afar. Now, we have our own academy

I’m very serious about my work. It’s like parting with my own children! If a canvas has turned out well, I try to retain it. All the same, life forces me to give pictures to somebody. Almost all our museums have examples of my work. In order to live, it is necessary to earn a living, so I have to sell some works. I don’t give my works to just anyone though; they should reside in collections, being created to be seen. Naturally, if nobody sees them, you remain in obscurity. I paint a lot but only sell canvases if I need the money. I manage to keep hold of quite a few. Do you paint more works for yourself or do you aim to create for others?

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EXHIBITION I paint the things that interest me, that appeal to me. Therefore a lot of people don't need these pictures. I paint what excites me. Painting 'to order' is a problem for me. I almost never do so, as it's quite alien to me; I find it very difficult. Are you interested in our land as an artist? Do you find lofty themes here? Belarus is rich in nature and landscapes. When Ukrainian artists came to me last autumn, I took them to Logoisk District, near Minsk. They declared that it was like Switzerland! We

golia. I had an exhibition in Japan. In Moscow, the Japanese wanted to buy all my canvases. It’s great to know that your works hang in America, the UK and Italy: to know that Belarusian art is popular there. Many collectors denote the works as being by Belarusian artists, instead of simply giving someone’s surname. It’s important to specify nationality. When such collectors come to Belarus, they don’t just search randomly; they know the style of art here, having seen our works. The Ministry of Culture

At the exhibition of Leonid Dudarenko’s works

have many beautiful places. I hate stark landscapes; Belarus has hills, woods and lakes. I mostly paint in late autumn, early spring and winter, when the snow lies beautifully on the earth. Belarusian landscapes are very beautiful. In summer, I always went to the north of the USSR, so never painted our summer landscapes, tending to do so in autumn or spring. I was absent in summer. Many Belarusian artists’ works, including yours, have been taken abroad, remaining in European collections. Should we regret this? Or is it normal for them to find homes abroad? I don’t know of any country without my works; they are in China and in Mon-

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often organises exhibitions abroad, including for my works. Collectors regularly buy canvases. The only thing is that I’m not financially minded, for which my wife scolds me. When I was in Germany, I gave one work as a gift, which delighted the man, as if I had given him a million Dollars. People in the West appreciate art more than they do here, where people are content to simply hang a photo on the wall. They don’t feel the need for real art. We need to promote fine art. Do you have advice for today’s young artists? It is useless to give advice to the young. They think themselves cleverer

than the older generation. It has always been the tragedy of the young to feel that they already know everything. The task of our teachers is not only to teach the young fine arts but to teach them how to live. Russian writer Maxim Gorky said that he sometimes called himself an artist, since an artist is a creator and must live for something. Artists should set goals; the young just want to sell their pictures! In order to do so, they have to become commercial, selling the kind of works bought in the West. Young people start with this interest. Why would they want to create a canvas which might just sit in the corner for a year! Young artists make works they think they can sell. It’s good if you’re talented and I do see studios with such works. Someone will buy them but here is the tragedy. Artists from the West used to come to me, asking how I made a living. I said that I lived for creativity. They said that capitalism made it impossible to live only for creativity. You can’t live by art alone, if you lack a factory, shop or plot of land on which to grow food. Creativity needs external funding. Young people know they need money, which is a tragedy. Is it essential for artists to have talent, or can hard work and practise bring the same result? We have many who are truly gifted. Ilya Repin married in old age, when he no longer cared whether he would sell his works. If artists are independent, being able to devote themselves to art, they can be successful. Talent helps and money will come, eventually. In order to become famous, you need to produce a great deal. You then reap dividends. Picasso was almost starving in his younger years; our artists want everything and all at once. It cannot be so; you need to wait a little, and work. At some point, people will recognise that you are worthy of attention. Sometimes, an artist is talented, works a great deal, but lacks promotion. The state is interested in talented people but we can only discern talent if it finds expression through several works. Very

SERGEY LAZIUK

EXHIBITION

I paint the things that interest me, that appeal to me. Therefore a lot of people don’t need these pictures. I paint what excites me. Painting ‘to order’ is a problem for me. I almost never do so, as it’s quite alien to me; I find it very difficult few gain such success in the first years of working, usually proving their worth later in life. Did you ever doubt the wisdom of following the path of an artist? Did you consider another? No, I don’t feel that my life has been wasted. I just wish that I’d created more canvases. I began at the age of 33, with many distractions, being engaged in public work. I chaired artistic councils and exhibition committees, which took much of my time. People's Artist of Belarus Mikhail Savitsky went to his studio at 8am and left at 6pm, as is necessary. It’s not wise to take on too much, as I did. I could have left a bigger legacy.

Have you endured creative failures? The process sometimes goes easily, and sometimes not. Gifted artist Nikolay Seleshchuk, whose studio is near mine, threw out a canvas stretcher because he thought it was bad luck. He’d used it twice and neither piece had come out as he hoped. It happens sometimes, depending on your mood. If you arrive at your studio in a grumpy mood, without enthusiasm, it’s a challenge. I tend to put on music, read a book, and then try to focus. You start to persuade yourself that you’re feeling better. Honoré de Balzac asked to be tied to a chair so that he wouldn’t be able to abandon

his painting; sometimes, it’s the most difficult thing: to force yourself. Does it help to remember past successes? Certainly. I’ve had times when I’ve had nothing to eat but, when you create something good, you feel good. Is it difficult to work without enthusiasm? It’s impossible. You must have inspiration; you can’t work on autopilot. You need emotion. Who is an artist? Sometimes, when I travel, people refer an ‘artist’ to me, who paints posters or banners. It’s a misuse of the term: an artist is a creator. The act of picking up a brush does not make you an artist. You need to be creative: a writer, a composer or a musician can be an artist. Many can paint; most of us can to some degree. Years ago, children were more commonly taught to play musical instruments, to paint, and to study literature. Many engaged in painting pictures but they were not artists. By Victor Mikhailov

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Works from Leonid Dudarenkoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection