Belarus (magazine #11 2018) by BELARUS Magazine

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No. 11 (1022), 2018 Беларусь. Belarus

belarus Politics. Economy. Culture

ISSN 2415-394X

Hypostasis of Anastasia Slutskaya National project at Bolshoi Theatre

Newspaper from Belarus

Голас Радзімы edition of the “Голас Радзімы” is available at www.zviazda.by

The newspaper for fellow countrymen: well-known and well-read Газета з БелаРусі

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То й на самім ка рэд ыі, ць ры М й бу 31 via тніц ях цягнуцца насустрач ахіннае.оў т-беллег аемна , на чаў лі ўМ нік пра прам дучы № ва юлцца, конкурсе трэба выкладвацца о та ц ш ў з а а м а а д ш а З ц l а іі ля zd ягн н ,2 ы н я п ь у ся інс ў.П ух іну ню ж с каны на ан жаа 6к А см дру кожныдзеньнастоадсоткаў— ос трой н ае аўадзінад ны анмаму.Калігавораць— a на р люб каў бела веліч кун рат оўны лае,у — з му шт ер ас дзел н ”ч е ч М с а а м з й . в я в ст а by она ня о німў, пер высокім дзяржаў панавКаў шкадаваць сябе, таму што в шым с даў а іенаеса ы ў бмым аз нне так ма руса ны аПа оеду дос ро тар яцка а мне ер нуў дад дч ы 10 б іты агак ікаў ры р.н7і — ад душы, а не ФорумГе есц шанец прадастаўляецца ім кр ма вед с е д ў й ы н узСртаоў х Ад ад вным е і н о р , рэ г і ё н аў Бе л а р у с і ды такі н н р р в л з у, о ы т ч ў, а ш л а д а а вя біт зас ка ўза род зель ск т нік п па вывераных паперках. І калі Украін ы, д ве родн цвяр гіст ана м. выа ася, тыаяТр цяп зеадзінразужыцці”. 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Кпубял, таою, кагдааркгкрам ар вяз чы нас яз ар якса мас у В Ю летм а ур гэ ”. туааль . 3 цэртная праграма па тра бу ў рКан ісрр я інме м ты тапрай авды да т эгр ўніц одзі ніко к і жык андр беларусыаў:яму70га кцэыін с Шуг а у дл яў і ў звіц дап . 3 ак оў.Кабсвя вакгбаГе нф нагядакон і анапрро ду сулхуа зна ін ры е ўсі,Га ло тыст ндр у т ак у ячас рыю айст сць сер іт а аходоонакдузітэітака : “В кла оспе ад гасц лі п якін е ны Ста н авал а ра ыін ем Мндн анйнх еілненнеэспоххордаук аыСечаккі Н ін ацо пах іраў та тад якс атоў шло, о і е л Т ў п а ў р п л а о н н л а с л о а ц м к — ў д ы а ўклю ч а л а ўра ч ыс т ую част к у: бы л о ўру па с пры я л і Ка м і т эт па спра в ах на Бе л а р у с іўЦю м ень с кайвоб л ас ц і. р іў п , Р р л в на ы е . ” а ы р зіў зацсу. дн ага гап нко ца к ус на . , 20 нтваарх ргаіядуС вэукюа уусптр ў:ас твоет лціыя У К ас в у ра у пр ам а к ці), уска . А г ак ме аны апер тане адар арус нэц тане ➔ чэнне ганаровых грамат,р пад 00зячП а ае ц аў, лар оў, Ко ашужо іпа кланеаш аМ нсам ачаыцА Ка й, А я па якія асц ютан о Куз я ну, ,бры ,ііш вось ч “ н ых арі”уч— (т вет нас лар ння рдзіў аць уст . акчоор ай Ф нд н ана эгііж льнн дсцэ фічб ліс ад зв “Вя ва нт рт ув е ад шу, тое вы ч ўш н Вк пл йка кіс нуп Бел зіму ыкіс мону, зІімп з нічнаццыаміж ўаш пы уа б с эреод е лаор ё Еалаў рсуіам. бтн аэт сутўм авленоуік Са друж бе дзея ацве рым інд тана а ір н ыл адч р оў.Б Народныя — гэта прыгожа лёву. онуКыі: Ір кон энку чык я тоў творчым калектывам, іх мг р атрадыцыі д адй,ат кіікомэрнаы му аадвев девы БнСакімру ва джы хмо тар“ аход адж Рах д укзяна ц ы фальк іднзенЛ в агыра кі, мел д зім у б се аО пр зеГлу йаўАлялзмўаР арк, бэчы а ам са вага ема а п сі п лане кіс гэт раў ын ваю ўн рІавваа30 од с ёрды Та “Ра рак кзн чуТ алі амлны ўдт — Віншавалі юбіляраў нры лсая нія сам — аб з каш ігад р таэгурт, ламну омідпаўфіч а аБатеслоў неоўУта ра ржірякі т ар ства ч ан е Я ць ды т а ко ўза энк ару у п джы а— вор ў э гвід ерранр ы т фі сііу.сСт а ылльошя— дзесанялді:ау кгріазі твн аы, заў к оўі пош так клоў е. в асм ара цым на лов тр ам ку, ром га тэланріха б падарункамі.Затымвы гмра за отніца укуль саіі беларусаў свету. Варта згадаць, што б нр ы к служўаная га каш Бел зел Та лан выт кі чаэлзострэту ч піа у црыэа да ая Ра ск і тёу кат зага хсус Эм Ю к і го сі ьк і,а , Ш рнэц ю з д н йн гаорссц к Азаля20алцьанвіч лмадер зяі.цін ан і,ож р ьвартуэы. св ро атакмцяя Лу сць ўд і аўп ная эхні абя ў У ры ,уюВа схіеян рлгуян э ўаята фічныя й вакальныя гур інсвя цалінаёа каа, яшчэўкан цыXІXстагоддзясем’ібела дапМі ар удам ачэГос кі ніка энту іка: белякаурюус ац рыю л а т П д Д л і А л л п а го т ы ы п т о а р н а ў ч . ю е д б е зм с б й д н ўн ац нк р а й ыл рж акў ыаў а ітыя элне в й б свЕр гацанр апры Б м вы эзід жабір ўісаўпакідаліБацькаўшчыну,шукаючы у ранд ру знаёмілісязвыставамідэнкааарпса рц тэюзыў бла скеёрі г макі, празва д азега з цоывёс на ты яліз зпу збо рна і б дзя ант р ь найд сі ўу сакай д зі екса эты бтеа аалйям ядкэ ыяю зцаы гав нры ў л і П п і ы с н е к е : о і іх ы а ы к ц б м н л з а ж т май рларусаўса в маходаў.ўрДаАрэчы, в ымчні ы з роз кладной творчасці, прывезде дзі лепшайдолі.Некаторыяпусцілікараніў ы бе р зін ная акт . Я нік пр а ан я тжСаёобалраг а А ,зашяанўац ьлпьрб ау, аў ў:ён аВбаы ў да сь, элесю Ад ме с тр ісар іраў лі юцц аво зілц ібе млаархуссўся у2017мгуртзрай як лаВі ныхраёнаўвобласці,каштавда кпу ылаьвтабыў глухойтайзе,адухоўныяповязізкульту Рржаавўыбчуале д дадааркгоаўпцзіэнт ўс ар і Та рыма нсаці,ц я су сць е Г й, к джа онва зад зка нріак н наІІІ каур ам ьтну кі. като рылзре сцтацтваў райпродкаў—зберагаюць.➔ Стар. 4 д Фэс п одм.удзель кёас ыся ы мас кіяпрысмакі.Сасвятамусіх—аўза ча радз ане выяз вык ліся ар усаў іар ізанцск до а ё не вічп ув нйа,акб юўзнашАэн ВІр ын “Рле ыівя о нсам го нар та як ста на авёў ўсе й. лаЛ снук азіміровцыькя нСамГауцсцкёасБ беклла бл ца абіс ць, За ру ь“ анк ылус уШ пр аба аца ндр олйад .“Х лё іж аГ ас лява энні. Ка ам вёўкая елару саўі згр йпр якса тоУ ме Ір,пваем ат аёж ер д . в а , ра руч с в ім зі ы а а б р “ н ш Ал ы, ш ад усім снёасМерпым На зап каеБ ых ск ы да а на с” д гор ачз аку цка і аў ш т рас оў хай ся во іў ратэ дцаў Плошна г ра дн оў кл : Ш мі еная,поб ,адн юна нк лаў сал рчы Ма рст зБ ч ал ро ет ра оў на.— ідн д гілё ва2 ела ы З оўна ва шы вам аеі св Ва як ор й ы э шт , кі ір Ор агілё зіцяч ы а У м,— сант ўскі 000” ы, ны лі ялі зо ак у кан ом аг зім ім р у аб М е,д зім чы вя ў в яд ўск ад бы ас М л фе вы л гіст цэрт ад ўш і за ва в к о ма Ул Н ан лі павя агі оў ас ны стыв аўрэ ары най й р гілё лях нко а А а к ш о н А я д М мат ае ал ма я ш ара ік ара р а ар цаІ анса аляў ат м чнымпля дл ра Ва фес дзі нік ск З м ёне ёвы а в месн крат наС мбл іко іжн ю ў д цэ цоў а н ін л о э а н яс ра цц імір на са Іва т,пр лас карат уха ь“К нкур родн нтрыцы ф ыя м ь чы ў М ці” ыў чэў ада саў ых жы адз аду нага ы. ав іс эта. к і веда ом р ан і, аюц й о д н я .➔ нап ска нс” бе , у Маг рум л т ы о а ул пас аль в ка ран ы ч кс рс і выс ў н Ст ры я)іп (мас лару сера ілёв у: ўш кіх ыя к ан адзін на нер лё т орыу ніве ю, анко ар кла яц та ск сій а я ав д ы раж і аў . 4 дн ья цка іва скіх а Ге р іс ж , у од с ё ў у ал ан ай рк як ка ты ваер заў мн а алаў ав ед сак і г дзяр агад Ва Ів э е н н д ж с Н м тво іхм іра ль ір Іва сю ра — ры к а ы ага як рча айс ўні д зі ле цьп ства ім п тэле ў. М льн ова, ыс а э т сці ро а Т ю Ул а ален так ск іх чар о ен ер р анк тэрар цам воб ў дв н і і а зга ны м Был л ар у іх ве іка Г а В онтр ад жэ Маг у. ы бе н іцк есн зім ці ш ір м К ур ён а ду едач рыч нам лад н іко быў ра гл каст ька Н У іраў ня, каг а з : бац АА і к лен лоў с ся тар а ецца праў Шк ра ўля га ў ц ы з’я чн а Ржаў ты ск і вё

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Беларусь. Belarus

Social and political magazine № 11 (1022), November, 2018 Published since 1930 Founders: Zviazda Publishing House editorialand-publishing establishment Editor-in-Chief: Viktor Kharkov Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich Editorial office address: 220013 Minsk, Belarus, 10a Bogdan Khmelnitsky Street Tel.: +375 (17) 287-19-19, +375 (17) 292-66-92 Тel./fax: +375 (17) 287-15-26. www.zviazda.by E-mail: belarus.mag@mail.ru Subscription index — 74977

The topic of peace tackled again in Minsk President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, touches on world conflict, Ukrainian events, the Helsinki-2 Process and Belarus’ membership of the EU, at opening of Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting, hosted by Minsk

Great Stone — industrial park for new generation Silk Road Economic Belt being constructed in Belarus

Беларусь. Belarus is published in Belarusian, English and Chinese.

Road to the Sun Acquaintance of Belarusian readers with verses of the great master Ai Qing is one more bridge on a wide river of the Belarusian-Chinese literary friendship

9 9

Global problems are solved together The recent forum showed that the demand for peaceful dialogue, advocated by Belarus, is today extremely high, therefore Minsk’s proposals to make Eastern Europe a transboundary belt of stability and interaction are especially acute

Much can be achieved if there’s peace Presidents of Belarus and Ukraine conduct negotiations in Gomel and visit 1st Forum of Regions

Registration Certificate No. 8 issued on 16.07.2018, by the Information Ministry of the Republic of Belarus Design and Layout by Tatiana Storozhenko Liubou Malyshava Proof-reader Alisa Gungor

Guests from Jiangsu Exhibition of higher educational institutions of Jiangsu Province takes place at Minsk’s State Linguistic University — attracting representatives from nineteen universities from one of the most successful eastern regions of China

The magazine is distributed to 50 countries worldwide. Final responsibility for factual accuracy and interpretation lies with publication authors. Should any article of Беларусь. Belarus be used, reference to the magazine is obligatory. The editorial office does not bear responsibility for contents of advertisements. Signed for printing on 23.11.2018 Offset printing. Coated paper. Format 60х84 1⁄8. Conventional printed sheets 6,51 Accounting published sheets 7,10

Total circulation — 1,648 copies (784 — in English)

Order Divimax JSC Licence No. 02330/53, as of 14.02.2014 220007 Minsk, Belarus, 125 Aerodromnaya Street

Cover designed by Tatiana Storozhenko

беларусь. belarus 2018

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Lord of joy

Arnold Smeyanovich is a talented neurosurgeon, and an optimist throughout his eighty years. Just chatting with him, you can’t help but realise how lucky we are to be alive, in this world of joy. As ancient wisdom says: if you learn the art of happiness, you learn the mystery of existence

Impressive meetings The National Art Museum of Belarus boasts treasures recognised not only in Europe but globally, featuring paintings by masters of Belarus and foreign nations. Its permanent exhibitions and special events present gems to delight even the most refined of connoisseurs

Belarusian Polesie is their native home International ecological project implemented in Belarus to preserve one of Europe’s endangered birds

Concerns of the heart How artificial cardiac valves are produced in Belarus

Flowers for chairman With sadness, we recall the passing of our dear friend Vitaly Busko, who would have turned 66 in November. We first wrote about him and his high-performing farm in the Lyakhovichi District many years ago. In September 1982, he became chairman of Belarus collective farm and then Zhereb kovichi (now known as Zherebkovichi JSC)

`` Forum gathers business partners

panorama

`` Beneficial

difference against background of others

Expansion of goods and service exports to Chinese market under focus at Belarusian-Chinese business forum, held in Shanghai as part of 1st China International Import Expo

International Monetary Fund notes stability of Belarusian economy

ithin just a few days, Belarusian companies signed over fifteen contracts, memorandums and agreements, worth several dozen million dollars. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum was the head of the Belarusian delegation, the Deputy Head of the Belarusian Presidential Administration Nikolai Snopkov. He was joined by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to China, Mr. Kirill Rudy, and Liu Xuesong — who heads the Department of Eurasia at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

`` Delightful

homes in traditional style

Belarusian wooden houses for suburb of French city of Villerupt, in Lotharingia Region

he new suburb is named in honour of Jean Gilibert — an outstanding medic, botanic and biologist, born in 1741 in French Lyon. Gilibert also set up the first doctoral academy, in Grodno, as well as one of the largest botanical gardens.

By Alexander Pimenov

By Vladimir Velikhov

By Svetlana Savelieva

www.asnova.by

The delightful wooden houses are being built by the Domostroenie branch of Shklov Newsprint Mill, and a contract should soon be signed to supply Belarusian tiles and Belarus-made kitchens. According to the Belarusian Ambassador to France, Pavel Latushko, seventy-one homes have already been built in Lotharingia using Belarusian construction materials and another 132 should be ready by mid‑2019. In 2017, $16 million of Belarusian furniture, homes and other wooden items were supplied to France, while the first nine months of this year have seen sales worth over $17 million.

www.reuters.com

At the opening ceremony, various co-operative documents were signed. The Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a co-operative agreement with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai SubCouncil, while Belgospishcheprom Concern and Jiangsu SOHO Holdings Group Co., Ltd. signed a cooperative memorandum.

he Head of the IMF Mission in Belarus, Jacques Miniane, has asserted the stability of Belarus’ economy, speaking at the Kastrycnicky Ekanamicny Forum (KEF 2018). He notes that a range of developing countries have been demonstrating serious problems of late, while Belarus looks stable in comparison, having reduced inflation to 5 percent. However, the IMF believes that Belarus needs to preserve strict principles of monetary and fiscal policy. The IMF connects improvements in the Belarusian economy with serious toughening of fiscal policy. Mr. Miniane stresses the need for productivity growth, via stimulation of the private sector and accelerated reformation of state enterprises, to enhance productivity. Mr. Miniane warns against Belarus relying too strongly on the Russian Federation for its exports, and against overdependence on subsidised energy imports.

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First of all, the Head of State noted that the Munich Security Conference (MSC) is one of the oldest and most authoritative political forums in the

world, where experts discuss problems of security on a global scale. Among its major tasks, he named objective analysis and elaboration of constructive measures, including expansion of interaction and strengthening of secu-

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rity, both within Europe and beyond its borders. “The most important thing is maintaining peace on Earth,” underlined the Belarusian leader. “The relevance of this matter is proven by an impressive number of participants at the conference and its extensive agenda, that features the most burning issues facing our region: from disagreements between East and West, to the conflict in Ukraine.” The President sadly agreed with the findings of the recent report of the Munich Security Conference — suggesting that our planet is on the verge of global conflict disaster. He fears that confrontation is determining international relations, including in the European region. Mr. Lukashenko reminded all those in attendance that hostilities are unfolding on almost every continent, with those in the Middle East and Asia worsened by attempts to divide regions into spheres of influence. In Africa, weakening of central powers is accompanied

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by reinforcement of radical Islamist groups. “The simmering, relentless conflict in Donbass is taking place in Europe, here, in our shared home,” asserted the Head of State, adding that refugees number in millions rather than hundreds of thousands. He noted that trade wars between the United States and China — worth hundreds of millions of US Dollars — are provoking contradictions between Washington and Beijing in other spheres of interaction. People are already speaking about prospects of a ‘cold trade war’. The President noted that disagreements between the United States and the European Union (its closest ally), are become more apparent. Mr. Lukashenko asserted that the abyss of mistrust between Russia and the West is much wider than in previ-

ous, difficult periods of recent European history. Moreover, large-scale sanctions and information wars are in full swing. He is alarmed regarding dissent concerning our treaties on eradicating short and mid-range missiles, as well as reducing strategic offensive weapons. “The great powers are losing the status of stability protectors; they cannot find common ground on any of the key issues,” noted the Head of State. Meanwhile, he believes that the UN Security Council has turned into a battleground. At the General Debate within the framework of the current, 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, individual interests and concerns were to the fore, with few wishing to negotiate or compromise. The Belarusian leader underlined that not only global politics and economics, but sport, culture and other

areas of international co-operation are becoming arenas for clashes between some states. “Experts and analysts are gradually concluding that the world has slipped into a time of unilateral relations. They believe that we’re moving (from onepolar and then multi-polar) to a world without any ‘poles’, where each nation is willing to go to war against anyone,” asserted the President.

Assisting neighbours Alexander Lukashenko reminded that, at the opening of the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk, last July, Belarus suggested launching a new Helsinki Process. “At that time, we often heard that Belarus was too naïve in making such a proposal.” He’s page

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convinced that measures should be taken to restore the OSCE’s efficiency, it having failed to prevent bloody conflict in Europe, such as in Yugoslavia and Ukraine. “Belarus isn’t an instrument of some third party,” asserted Mr. Lukashenko. “Our proposal is not an attempt to return to previous initiatives. The Belarusian state is in favour of inclusive dialogue, even if there’s no guarantee that it will finish with a concrete result.” In this respect, Belarus deems it necessary to develop inter-state relations, including informal, across any topic relating to security, where it’s possible and where the opposing sides have coinciding interests. “We don’t lay claims to a monopoly of this initiative,” the Head of State accentuated. “We understand that its realisation depends on the concord of many, primarily key players. However, under modern conditions, where great powers are unable to agree, other states can and should play their part.” Belarus understands that such dialogue will significantly differ from that which took place as part of the Helsinki Process. Mr. Lukashenko added that the Helsinki‑2 Process is a metaphor for a new process, finding modern methods of moving away from the threat of major conflict. Moreover, the Belarusian leader emphasised that decisions shouldn’t repeat the ‘recipes’ of the cold war. Europe has no single opinion on how a new security system should be arranged, but discussion is vital.

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Finding solutions “Despite the absence of political preconditions for the launch of a new negotiation process, we must search for opportunities to develop this. First, let experts gather, and then put forward proposals for adoption by major players. Probably, the expert community will be able to find some alternative solution.” The President reminded that, three weeks ago, Minsk hosted the high-level

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international conference ‘Preventing and Countering Terrorism in the Digital Age’, under the aegis of the OSCE. Participants concluded that only by acting as a single front can we successfully counteract cyber-terrorism and other modern threats. “For the next step, Belarus is ready to welcome a joint UN/OSCE conference on fighting terrorism, and a summit on fighting cyber-crime,” asserted the Head of State. “Taking into account the presence of Mr. Greminger and Mr. Ischinger, I suggest that we contemplate restoring (under the OSCE aegis) a group of experts, comprising famous politicians and analysts.” He added that their task would be elaboration of recommendations of strategic character on general issues of security in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian spaces. According to the Belarusian leader, our country believes that such dialogue could facilitate results and make possible a summit to adopt a strategic document acceptable to everyone. Alexander Lukashenko noted that no one in Europe, or beyond, wants open military confrontation between the West and East but the region is observing major political and economic escalation of tension. Inter-block opposition is beginning, since confrontation draws in new countries. According to the President, the conflict could be solved in many cases, but no political will exists to do so. “If the wheel of confrontation continues, and the ‘game rules’ are allowed to be broken, soon, Ukraine and all Eastern Europe will be affected. In this case, it won’t be too long before nuclear conflict arises between geopolitical players, and there will be no winners,” he warned.

The situation in Ukraine Mr. Lukashenko underlined that solution of the Ukrainian conflict is a key security issue in Europe, without whose settlement peace on the continent will remain under threat.

“No one can stop confrontation in South-east Ukraine: neither the ‘Normandy Four’, nor the Trilateral Contact Group of the OSCE. Not the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, nor the Walker-Surkov format,” he added. He believes the most terrible aspect is that those who remain are destined to die — women, children and old people who can’t escape, having nowhere to go, being tied to their land. The Head of State reminded that, since the adoption of Minsk Agreements more than three and a half years have passed, but no points has been fulfilled completely. According to the Belarusian leader, this doesn’t mean that the agreements are bad. We’re seeing an escalation of tensions, and the supply of weapons continues. Regarding the placement of refugees within Belarus, the President remarked that they are being provided with all that is necessary, and being helped into employment, while provided with medical services, despite the difficult socioeconomic situation in Belarus. The President underlined that a solution to the conflict in Donbass could have been found if there was will to do so. As for next steps, Mr. Lukashenko has suggested continuing work to strengthen the OSCE Special Monitoring Group to Ukraine and the Trilateral Contact Group. He notes that Belarus is ready to consider the establishment of a technical point in Minsk for the Trilateral Contact Group. Moreover, it’s necessary to continue looking for a mutually acceptable solution on the placement of peacekeepers in Donbass, and to ensure the superposition principle in deploying this mission. Meanwhile, according to the Belarusian leader, the ‘Normandy Four’ need to be more active in providing a clear mechanism of control for observation of the Minsk Agreements. “We can take responsibility for ensuring peace in the eastern regions of Ukraine and control along the RussianUkrainian border, as well as overseeing

the conduct of elections in Donbass, proceeding from the understanding that these regions are an indispensable part of Ukraine,” he added. The President stressed that Belarus is ready to solve this problem only if it can be confident that major world players want peace in Europe. He noted that no one needs war. The most serious mistake is to start trying to lay blame; leave that to our children, if they want to decide, but we still need to settle the problem, commented the President. He added that the USA should be brought to the negotiation table as, without them, the goal is unlikely to be achieved.

Not a buffer nor a bastion In the end, Mr. Lukashenko noted that nobody wants to see a fissure, or a political standoff between the East and the West. As tensions grow, Belarus is promised a destiny of a buffer, a ‘bastion’ between Russia and NATO. The Head of State noted that this region would be a belt of stability and interaction if it were not for various military-political blocs. He called on everyone to promote greater collaboration with our state. On the subject of Belarus’ human rights record, he stated, “Developed European democracy has formed over centuries, while they want to see a breakthrough from us within a few decades. If we act too hastily, under pressure, the result won’t be stable, so we’re going to take an evolutionary path, rather than revolutionary.” He criticised European diplomacy, adding that it will be soon taught from Belarus, because ‘we rely on stability and normality’ for people. Mr. Lukashenko added that Belarus desires normal trade-economic relations with Europe, aspiring to make the EU a pillar of Belarus’ foreign trade — similar to Russia and the EAEU. According to him, our country is aware of the true attitude towards Belarus and other post-Soviet states. He

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noted that some politicians in Europe intend to restrict the development of interaction but that he’s interested in how those politicians expect Belarus and Russia to react. The basis for collaboration is trade, so what can be done if Belarusian goods are rejected in Europe? Moreover, Belarus’ borders are defending the EU from criminals, weaponry and drugs. Mr. Lukashenko underlined that we don’t lay claims for membership of the EU and don’t go to Europeans with a begging bowl. The President added that demand for dialogue and strengthening of trust significantly outstrips supply. “Belarus has been trying to tackle this misbalance, to the best of its ability, and we’ll continue pursuing a uniting policy, as necessary.” Belarus is ready to play its role in strengthening peace.

Honest discussion The Head of State noted that some degree of ‘success’ in bringing stability to Donbass will be needed in order to move further. However, the direction of current dialogue may lead only to further conflict. The Belarusian leader underlined that this can’t be allowed to happen. He fears that the use of serious weapons in Donbass does not bode well. Addressing Europeans, he stressed

that they know how to settle this, by sending in their ‘older brother’. Mr. Lukashenko asserted that trust has been lost and that Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians must take steps to settle the conflict. The Head of State suggested closing the border between conflicting areas, but only on the basis of agreements, saying that Belarus won’t intervene by breaking ‘rules’. The Belarusian leader also noted that it’s necessary to determine the principles of election conduct in Donbass, and then Belarus will provide control, but only within the limits of agreements. Moreover, the President underlined, “If someone desires this war to continue, it will be difficult to find a solution, and any delay will intensify the conflict.” The Head of State also spoke about the geopolitical situation: that various countries’ politicians are making statements about weapons but no action is seen, which arouses concern. Speaking of the possible placement of a US military base in Poland, he noted that Belarus and Russia would be thinking about an adequate response. “Those who brandish nuclear weapons don’t think about their own security, let alone the security of other countries,” stressed Mr. Lukashenko. By Vladislav Lukashevich

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About policy of influence — without formalism Interaction along the East-West line, regional conflicts and the economic situation in Europe are only several topics of the Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting. The format of the session in Minsk was special, combining participation of representatives of official powers and various experts.

he current forum gathers together dozens of politicians and experts to discuss important issues, both of a regional and global character. It’s interesting that the discussion about the architecture of security was being built through the prism of discussions in the Chatham House format — i. e. less formality but more real ideas and trust. One of the most important aspects of the forum became the ‘Minsk Process’ discussion session which tackled the issues of settling the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Experts noted that the

major merit of the Minsk Agreements is a considerable reduction of the number of victims of the opposition, i. e. the agreements of the ‘Normandy Four’ in Minsk stopped the hot phase of the conflict. The position of the participants of the meeting is that the Minsk Agreements should be fulfilled as having no alternatives. Proposals were voiced to negotiate in the ‘Normandy Four’ format at the level of presidents or foreign ministries, dealing with the issue of launching a peaceful mission to Donbass under the UN aegis. Despite the ongoing discussion, the participants of the meeting unanimously asserted that Belarus remains a donor of stability in the region.

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Prime Minister of Serbia delivers an invitation to Alexander Lukashenko to visit Belgrade

fter the work of the Munich Security Conference Core Group, Alexander Lukashenko conducted one more bilateral meeting. This time, the President of Belarus welcomed the Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, who has also arrived in Minsk as a participant of the conference.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE FORUM HAVE THEIR SAY The Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting discussed issues which are of huge importance for our region. We see constant growth of tension and we can’t be satisfied with this. The goal of our event is to try to find points of coincidence and common backgrounds that would enable us to solve the problems which exist in the region. Of course, it’s difficult to find within just one meeting a consensus in many issues, however, we see that all sides show readiness for dialogue which, our country believes, is the only means to settle problems.

Elena Korosteleva, Professor of International Politics at the University of Kent (UK): We should react to the challenges which currently exist in the region and in the world or at least determine the areas of further development. I’m pleased that the Belarusian side continues the events in such a format. I hope that all this will lead to concrete results on a whole range of problems, including the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Of course, concrete political decisions are needed for this and the basis for them is being laid down in Minsk. Therefore, the current meeting is, undoubtedly, important for building a policy of stability and security in the whole European region.

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Vladimir Makei, Belarus’ Foreign Minister:

Mr. Lukashenko warmly welcomed the guest and said that he is pleased to see, in Belarus, a representative of brotherly and friendly Serbia. He underlined that our country attentively follows events in Serbia and worries about the problems of this country, while feeling joy when everything is going well. The President assured the guest that Belarus is ready to expand joint projects in the economy, culture and sports with Serbia. In turn, Ana Brnabić delivered an invitation to Mr. Lukashenko from his Serbian colleague to visit Belgrade. “You would do us a great honour if you visited our country,” noted the Head of the Serbian Government.

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Global problems are solved together

The Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, told journalists that the world community should listen to the Belarusian proposals. “I was deeply impressed by the adherence and aspiration towards the settlement of the conflict, shown by President Alexander Lukashenko during the meeting. I was also impressed by the relation and aspiration to settle the existing situation in the east of Ukraine and to achieve peace as soon as possible. I hope that the international community will listen to the suggested proposals, including the mission in the east of Ukraine.” Moreover, the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference called on the USA and Russia not to leave the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty but to provide its complete fulfilment. Belarus views this document as one of the most important items of modern architecture of international security which facilitates the reduction of tensions in Europe. Answering journalists’ questions, Mr. Ischinger stated that there’s no significant progress in the efforts taken as part of both the Minsk negotiation process and of the ‘Normandy Four’. Commenting on the proposals voiced at the forum about changes in the format, the Chairman of the Conference underlined that progress will take place

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The recent forum showed that the demand for peaceful dialogue, advocated by Belarus, is today extremely high, therefore Minsk’s proposals to make Eastern Europe a trans-boundary belt of stability and interaction are especially acute

OSCE General Secretary, Thomas Greminger, and Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger

only when there’s corresponding political will in the sides involved. “Of course, the expansion and change of the format and a range of participants may help, but political will remains the decisive aspect. I’m deeply convinced, and have many times repeated, that the USA should be present at the negotiation table. However, I believe that the EU should also take part.” Nevertheless, he once again noted that the proposals voiced by Alexander Lukashenko can give a definite impulse to the negotiation process. Wolfgang

Ischinger asserted that he would be pleased to see the President of Belarus at the Munich Security Conference that traditionally takes place in February. Summing up the results of the forum, many experts noted that the Belarusian capital has become a venue for settling conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and the east of Ukraine, as well as between Serbia and Kossovo, while the negotiations, conducted as part of the forum, were characterised as the beginning of the new ‘Minsk Process’. By Konstantin Bakun

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Alexander Lukashenko hopes for gradual improvement of relations between Belarus and the United States of America, noted the President of Belarus as he met the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Aaron Wess Mitchell

he US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Aaron Wess Mitchell, has been to Minsk on October 30th-31st. He had a range of planned meetings, including at the top level which tackled the development of the bilateral Belarusian-US relationships, as well as issues of the world and regional agenda. “The fact that you are visiting the Belarusian capital speaks volumes. I personally hope it will be a truly historic visit that will give impetus to the gradual improvement of Belarusian-US relations,” noted the President of Belarus welcoming the guest. Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the two countries have made serious progress in bilateral relations. “I would not, however, call the changes that are needed in the region today insignificant,” stressed the Head of State. The President emphasised his commitment to the sovereignty and independence of Belarus and noted the country’s readiness to develop relations with partners from different regions of the world. “We want to be sovereign and independent. In this regard, we stay equally close to all centres of power on our planet. Even in the most difficult times in our

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Time requires changes relations, I have never stopped saying that we are extremely interested in good relations with your country.” The President highlighted Aaron Wess Mitchell’s experience and knowledge of the problems in the region. “We know your attitude and the attitude of your country to these problems. I hope you, as the world’s leading country, will pay more attention to solving these issues. If necessary, we’re ready to assist in solving the most difficult problems in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe,” said the Belarusian leader. In turn, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Aaron Wess Mitchell, thanked Mr. Lukashenko for the hospitality and stressed the importance that the US attaches to the issue of the independence and territorial integrity of Belarus. “We understand the deep and historically close relations between your country and the Russian Federation. We also understand the successes you have achieved in ensuring stability and territorial integrity, and, first of all, political stability in Belarus,” he said. Aaron Wess Mitchell also assured the President that the United States sees great potential in the development of both diplomatic and economic ties with Belarus. At present, Belarus and the United States co-operate in areas of mutual interest and on matters important for global

and regional security, including the fight against international organised crime and international terrorism, as well as the prevention of illegal transit of nuclear and radioactive materials. Furthermore, the United States supports Belarus’ WTO accession process. The two countries have intergovernmental agreements on economic co-operation, the promotion of banking activities, reduction of strategic weapons and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and in other areas. In trade with the United States, Belarus uses the regime of normal trade relations. In 2017, Belarus’ major exports to the United States included potash fertilisers, seamless pipes and profiles from ferrous metals, X-ray equipment, furniture, liquid crystal devices, lasers, linen fabrics, and fiberglass. Belarus’ imports comprised passenger cars, medical devices and equipment, vaccines and medicines, internal combustion engines, frozen fish and electrical generating sets. In 2017, Belarus’ export of services to the United States reached a record high of almost $570m. The export supplies were largely represented by computer, telecommunication and information services. Last year, the United States invested more than $66m into Belarus, including $55m of direct foreign investments. By Vladimir Mikhailov

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Approaching understanding

Belarus doesn’t place Russian military base because there’s no need This was noted by Alexander Lukashenko as he met a group of US analysts who have been to Minsk on a visit. “This meeting is important not only for Belarusian-US relations but for the entire European region,” stressed the President. According to him, at present, the military and political situation in Eastern Europe remains complicated and, unfortunately, there’s no obvious solution. “Politicians who get carried away with their own rhetoric cannot come to an agreement. The military hope for the best, as usual, but have to prepare for the worst. Meanwhile, people are still dying in neighbouring Ukraine. Your current status and the format of our meeting enable us to openly discuss the most important issues for our region.” Mr. Lukashenko outlined several key theses which should receive special attention. The Belarusian leader reminded that Belarus is a young sovereign state pursuing an independent foreign policy, with a balanced and pragmatic position relating to wide-ranging international security. “While restoring relations with the United States, maintaining good neighbourly relations with the EU and expanding partnership with NATO, Belarus is committed to building equal dialogue with all parties,” underlined the Head of State. He added that Belarus is addressing topical issues with neighbouring countries: NATO member states and countries beyond the alliance. The President emphasised that our country is located between the two largest centres of power. “Being foreign policy experts, you understand the

risks that military confrontation can bring between the West and the East,” noted Mr. Lukashenko. “Our country is keen to avoid conflict of any nature, with a neighbouring country or internally.” The Belarusian leader accentuated that Belarus’ military policy is exclusively defensive. “I’ve repeatedly stressed that our country will never be a threat to our neighbours,” he added. The Head of State reminded that Belarus is in a military alliance with Russia, whose current relations with the West are not at their best. Nevertheless, no other states’ bases have been set up in Belarus yet. He said

“We realise that our security directly depends on the situation around us and are doing our best to stabilise the regional situation. We are not trying to escalate or aggravate it. In the current conditions any actions disturbing the fragile status quo in the region will lead to more escalation which will definitely affect our country as well. We won’t ever remain aloof if some conflict appears here,” noted the President. Mr. Lukashenko underlined that Belarus is a European state interested in a strong and united Europe, with a solid transatlantic partnership. “We’re convinced that the security of the entire con-

Our country is keen to avoid conflict of any nature, with a neighbouring country or internally that any talks of a Russian military base on the territory of Belarus are nothing more than empty talk. The President noted again that it makes absolutely no difference if we’re hosting a military base. We aren’t deploying such bases not because we want to demonstrate our sovereignty or independence. “We aren’t deploying them because there’s no need. According to our joint military plan with the Russian Federation, we’ll fulfil the duties we’ve taken on, ourselves,” he said. Moreover, the President added that the Belarusian military, if necessary, are able to more efficiently counteract any aggression and conflict on the territory of Belarus, as they are on their own land.

tinent depends on the unity of countries in the region and the preservation of the military and political role of the United States in European affairs. We don’t exaggerate. Unfortunately, we won’t handle any issues, including the Ukrainian conflict, here without the United States,” he added. “I also hope that your comments will help us understand the approaches of the western countries, first of all, of the USA and NATO, to our country and the region in general,” noted the President. “If we make even a tiny step towards better understanding of each other at the end of the meeting, we will proudly say that our mission has been accomplished.” By Vladislav Lukashevich

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Much can be achieved if there’s peace Presidents of Belarus and Ukraine conduct negotiations in Gomel and visit 1st Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine

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ing on the backburner like other hot spots in the ex-USSR do.” The President stressed that Belarus doesn’t ask to be mediators or peacemakers. But it’s impossible to be an indifferent observer of existing events. Mr. Lukashenko reminded us that, after the start of this war, many Ukrainian citizens arrived in our country, “We’ve given jobs, free education, kindergarten and medical servicing to each of them. We’ve adopted them as our natives. Dear Ukrainian brothers, you see how you are welcomed here. It is impossible to fake this attitude. This is really the attitude of the Belarusians to you. We are extremely worried for you. We would like this blessed land with its rich resources and extremely hardworking people to flourish. And it will! Wars

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ndoubtedly, the plenary session featuring Alexander Lukashenko and Petro Poroshenko became the central event of the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine in Gomel. They discussed economics, trade, investments and new projects. However, the major issue on the agenda was, of course, ways to settle the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Speaking at the forum, Mr. Lukashenko announced Belarus’ position very clearly, “There is one goal: end the war and keep Ukraine united and indivisible! We cannot leave the problem to our children. It will be a crime of our generation for those who will follow us. Let’s be honest, securing an agreement between Russia and Ukraine will not suffice. An agreement can be reached, but it will not be enough. Let’s be honest one more time: they’ve lost trust in each other. Therefore, to get Belarus’ point across to our Ukrainian brothers, and those who hear us, to avoid all kinds of speculation, I would like to say plainly: we are ready to get involved in this conflict where things are difficult and there is no trust where it should be. We’re ready to do it for the one and only goal: peace. In my opinion, this problem has to be resolved by our three Slavonic nations. It is our sorrow. Not Europeans, Americans, or someone else’s. We should be the ones to resolve this problem to prevent it from simmer-

always end sooner or later and history is the witness of that. But why can’t we end these conflicts as soon as possible?” Mr. Lukashenko said that he couldn’t but raise this issue, “Belarus has been pushed into this problem from all sides. And I want you to know our position: if we enter Ukraine from the north — I would like the Ukrainian military to hear me — we will be driving harvesters, tractors, trolley buses and buses. We will never be driving tanks into Ukraine. We don’t ask to be mediators or peacemakers. We just worry for you. If we can do something for you, we’re ready to do it. I hate when some try to use Ukraine as a bargaining chip. Ukraine will always be powerful, prosperous and united, but one needs to know how to negotiate. Today it

M is necessary to end this fratricidal war and later we’ll decide who is to blame.” Petro Poroshenko thanked Belarus and Alexander Lukashenko personally for creating the conditions for the Minsk negotiation venue, “Documents that were signed in Minsk will forever enter the textbooks of diplomacy. They are called the Minsk Agreements. Do I trust Lukashenko? I trust him 100 percent. Your mission is extremely important. A trilateral contact party is working in Minsk. Belarus is doing everything to organise this, therefore I’d like to thank Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian nation and the city of Minsk.” After the speech by the President of Belarus and the return words from Petro Poroshenko, it seemed the major topic of the Forum of Regions was fading into the background. Of course, this was not the case. Alexander Lukashenko highly regarded the importance of this event, “People are very pleased, they have agreed on many issues and many have signed contracts. This event has good prospects. Both Belarus and Ukraine have a colossal demand for furthering the development of relations and strengthening of traditions of friendship and good neighbourliness.” “We’ve made sure that our conduct of the forum was correct,” noted Mr. Poroshenko. “A whole range of agreements have been signed between our regions. Both Ukraine and Belarus will only benefit from these contracts.” This was said at the end of the working day, while the Ukrainian air force one landed at Gomel international airport in the first half of the day. Upon the arrival, Petro Poroshenko laid flowers at Taras Shevchenko’s bust in the public garden which bears his name. Then he spoke to representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora. Before visiting the regional public and cultural centre, Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Poroshenko conducted a one-on-one meeting. The Ukraine remains one of our most important trade-economic partners. Our interest is to establish direct economic ties with the region, as this will help reinforce the position of Belarusian manufacturers in the Ukrainian market.

In the end, such forums work for the development of national economies, i.e., for the enhancement of people’s well-being. The idea to hold the Forum of Regions originated last July in Kiev, during Mr. Lukashenko’s visit to Ukraine. At the time, the leaders of the two states hoped that the event would reinvigorate Belarusian-Ukrainian relations. People on both sides of the border were looking forward to such open communication. Many Ukrainian guests admitted that

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ready for close co-operation with the Ukrainian mining and smelting enterprise. It’s no secret that its technological fleet is primarily ensured by the BelAZ quarry machinery — reliable and timetested. Moreover, an agreement has been reached at the forum that in the near future the enterprise will supply around 20 heavy-duty dump trucks to Ukraine. Mr. Lukashenko also believes that there’s significant potential for collaboration in transport logistics, “More effi-

Both Belarus and Ukraine have a colossal demand for furthering the development of relations and strengthening of traditions of friendship and good neighbourliness they had never remembered such a big business ‘mission’ to Belarus. More than a hundred companies from 17 Ukrainian regions have arrived in Gomel. Belarus isn’t a strange country for Ukraine and during the bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian leader, Mr. Lukashenko noted this especially, “You probably feel that Gomel doesn’t differ in any way from wonderful Ukrainian cities. This is natural, as the border is very close. Many Ukrainians live here, as do citizens of Ukraine who have moved because of the conflict. We had to help people and give them work and we treated them as our own citizens. So, Gomel is a good and warm city for Ukrainians.” Petro Poroshenko sincerely regarded his hospitability, “This is better than words of propaganda about tensions between our nations. There’s trust between Ukraine and Belarus, as there’s trust between Lukashenko and Poroshenko. I’m absolutely convinced that this trust will result in security, reliability, friendship and collaboration. Secondly, in its foreign trade turnover with Ukraine, Belarus is ranked second among the CIS states and fifth among all the partners of Ukraine. According to Mr. Lukashenko, Belarus is

cient use of the geographical advantages will facilitate successful implementation of various projects as part of the multimodal transport corridor from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. It’s important to use its railway component, river navigation and to integrate maritime ports of Ukraine into logistic chains.” Mr. Lukashenko invited Ukrainian businesses to more actively invest into our country, “Belarus and Ukraine should focus on the establishment of joint ventures which produce goods for the markets of third states. I think that Ukrainian business will be interested in such promising venues as the High-Tech Park and the Great Stone Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park. A favourable investment climate, as part of these initiatives, will enable them to implement large-scale projects in the innovation sphere.” The Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus, Igor Kizim, noted a key event which is beneficial for Belarusian companies. It refers to the fact that Ukraine has made a stake in the processes of decentralisation, with the regions receiving more powers and rights and, more importantly, more financial resources. It means that it becomes profitable and promising to work directly with them. беларусь. belarus 2018

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Hospitality to a high standard

From June 21st-30th, 2019, Minsk will become one of the centres of the sporting world, as it will be hosting the 2nd European Games, conducted once every four years. As part of the Games, athletes will be competing in 15 sports, with ten of these becoming qualifications for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The Games will serve as the European Championships for badminton, boxing, canoeing and kayaking and judo next year. Next summer, Minsk is expecting more than 4,000 athletes from 50 countries, while more than a thousand representatives of the foreign media will be covering the Games. The visits of 100 presidents, general secretaries of European sport federations and sport ministers are also planned. The scale is truly impressive. Belarus is already busy preparing for this important event. General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and Director of the 2nd European Games 2019 Directorate, Georgy Katulin, tells us how hospitable Minsk will be, surprising participants and guests of the European Games. Alongside Belarus, Poland, Turkey, the Netherlands and a range of other states also laid claim to the 2nd European Games. Why was Belarus chosen? The application of Minsk for the 2nd European Games said that, except for the construction of 2-3 sporting facilities, all the remaining sporting infrastructure is already present. Recently, Dinamo Stadium reopened after a large-scale reconstruction; it will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, as well as competitions in track-and-field. Construction

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Belta

Capital of Belarus prepares to surprise fans at 2nd European Games in 2019

Georgy Katulin

work is also currently being completed at the sports and rifle complex named after Marshal S.K. Timoshenko. The site is to be commissioned by the end of the year. Moreover, the new residential building is also to open at the Student Village, which will accommodate the athletes. How many guests are you expecting in Minsk? Primarily how many fans? At least the same number as during the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk and during the 1st European Games in Baku in 2015. I estimate 70,000. This figure may increase to 100,000 people. How is Minsk going to surprise its guests? People will primarily come to see a spectacular event; therefore, our task is to ‘keep’ them in Minsk till the end of the competitions and to offer an unforgettable cultural programme, souvenirs and tasty cuisine. The more interesting the programme is, the longer people will stay. Moreover, four fan zones will

open in Minsk: near Minsk-Arena, near Chizhovka-Arena, near the Sports Palace and in Oktyabrskaya Street which will be turned into a pedestrian area during the competition. We’ll also offer our guests dance and entertainment shows. Why are these European Games so important for Belarus? What legacy can they leave? Our task is to ensure that everything which is made for the forthcoming sporting event, remains in future for the benefit of residents of the city and athletes. For example, we’re studying a proposal enabling us to provide Minsk urban transport with free Wi-Fi. Hostels will be repaired in the Student Village, while the neighbouring area will be landscaped. Moreover, Minsk is purchasing 300 new buses that will later run along city routes. In total, 65 percent of the expenditure for the multi-sporting forum is taken up by the ‘legacy’: hotels, transport provision, repair of hostels and reconstruction of sites. By Artur Nanyan

vent

In the colours of the European Games Bendy bus for 170 passengers to transport participants of the competitions all, the bus can transport around 170 passengers. It is designed to be used in urban conditions, to service the busiest routes. The configuration of the interior can be changed depending on customers’ wishes and an air conditioner with a heating function is envisaged inside. The new vehicle has been produced in just six months. The work started in spring in Dzerzhinsk, where the body was welded, while the final assembly was conducted in the MAZ workshops. The first bus is symbolically painted in the colours of the European Games to be held in Minsk; MAZ vehicles will

be transporting passengers during the sporting event. There are plans to supply new buses to large cities of the EAEU states and elsewhere. There’s a demand for vehicles with a ‘push-rod’ drive in Poland and Estonia, while Serbia is also showing some interest. The bendy bus with a ‘push-rod’ drive is one of the most long-awaited innovations of MAZ, and significantly expands our opportunities. Passenger transport with such a scheme is widespread in Europe. By Sergey Kurkach

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insk Automobile Works (MAZ) produced its first high capacity bus with a ‘push-rod’ drive and newest joint assembly from the Hubner company, the first ever to be used in the world. The new arrival was presented at the Busworld International Coach & Bus Show in Moscow in late October. MAZ-216 is the first articulated rear-engined Belarusian bus. The power drive is located at the rear, rather than in the front of the body. As a result, the engineers have produced a quiet and spacious body, giving more space to passengers, including mothers with children and those with restricted mobility. Furthermore, the low-floored bus is 18m long and 2.55m wide, while it is 3.1m high. The maximum gross weight is 28 tonnes. The bus is equipped with a 326HP engine from Mercedes (EURO5 class) and an automatic gearbox from Allison. The speed is restricted to 85kmh. The buses will also be equipped with EURO-6 engines for EU states. The fuel tank is designed for 300 litres but, if desired, can be increased to 400. The innovation belongs to the category of buses with high capacity. There are 40 branded seats inside, while over-

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rospects

Great Stone — industrial park for new generation Silk Road Economic Belt being constructed in Belarus

he joint establishment of a comprehensive industrial zone was first discussed during a meeting between the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as part of the Chinese delegation’s visit to Belarus in March 2010. The foundations were laid in the signing of

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an agreement on the establishment of the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park on September 18th, 2011, between the governments of Belarus and the People’s Republic of China. The agreement determined governing bodies of the Industrial Park similar to the Chinese-Singapore Suzhou Park: • an Inter-governmental Co-ordination Council, governing strategic is-

sues of the Park’s development, which has so far met across ten sessions; • the Park Administration (a state institution subordinated directly to the Government); • a joint management company. The Chinese-Belarusian joint stock company (otherwise known as the Industrial Park Development Company) was founded on August 28th, 2012. Its Chinese shareholders comprise such

P giants as Sinomach, China Merchants Group, CAMCE and Harbin Investment Group. This April, with the approval of the Commerce Ministr y and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the PRC, German Duisburger Hafen has also joined the shareholders, with a small share. Duisburger Hafen is the world’s largest river port (1,400 hectares, 45,000 employees, and 12 million tonnes annually, sending more than 100 carriages to China monthly). “Importantly, it’s the final point on the Belt Road through Belarus. The goal is to set up a large railway hub, cargo terminal and processing zone with China Merchants Group (using their production logistics experience),” explains the Deputy Director General of the Management Company, Kirill Koroteev.

Park’s preferential regime The inter-governmental agreement (as of September 18th, 2011) envisages that the Park’s privileges are more significant than those offered to other economic zones across Belarus. Presidential Directive No. 5 states that the best regime should be provided in the Park compared to regimes in other EAEU member states. Taking into account constant monitoring and improvement of working conditions in the Park, three decrees were adopted by the President: in 2012, in 2014 and on May 12th, 2017 (No. 166). The latest was prepared directly with the participation of Chinese partners — for the first time in Belarus. The preferential regime established for fifty years includes: • total exemption from taxes for a period of ten years from the date of profit origin and for a period of fifty years for a range of taxes (real estate tax and land tax), for all Park residents;

• reduced tax rates from employees of Park enterprises (one third less than countrywide); • reduced tariffs for electricity; • visa-free entry for 180 days for work on Park projects and simplified migration procedures in future; • import of most goods without paying customs duties (always for equipment and spare parts, and for raw materials where these are not produced within the EAEU). Problems are constantly monitored, so that action can be taken to improve the investment attractiveness of the Park in the region.

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of data, and socio-cultural activity and Research and Development (R&D) in these branches. Companies may inject between $0.5 million and $5 million within the first three years, or $0.5 million for R&D. All other enterprises in the Park are exempt from paying taxes for seven years (in line with a decree on small towns). The total territory of the Park is 9,150 hectares (without the airport), as chosen by Chinese experts from more than ten land lots countrywide, suggested by Belarus. This was the most attractive from the point of view of logistics and staff assistance, being located

The Park envisions the creation of a new town, combining production, and residential and administrative infrastructure, with an eco-focus From January 1st, 2018, a new Customs Code entered into force for EAEU member states, making the Park a bonded area (alongside free economic zones in Russian Crimea, Kaliningrad and Magadan). Imports are duty-exempt and bargains can be struck with third parties inside the zone. In January 2018, the Government also approved a special regulation regarding construction issues in the Park, which significantly simplifies procedures of designing, documentation appraisal, obtaining permits, commissioning and other related issues.

Areas and concept The Park’s priority areas cover electronics and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and biotechnologies, fine chemistry, machine building, new materials, comprehensive logistics and electronic commerce, as well as storage and processing of large volumes

within 25km of the capital. It adjoins the M1/E30 transnational highway, and is on the corridor for a high-speed railway network between the EU, Russia and Asia. Moreover, the site borders the national airport and is situated close to railway links. A strategy for territorial development is being mastered stage by stage, with an initial 851 hectare site being divided into sub-zones and developed until 2020. The first (354 hectare) site is currently being developed, and five others are planned. In total, six stages are envisaged, with the remainder being worked upon until 2030. Over all, 132,000 people are to be involved, including 10,000 during the first stage.

Construction process The inter-governmental agreement and the Park Decree envisage the state page

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(6,000sq.m) is currently being constructed). A bonded production area (fenced, with 6,000 production rooms, covering 60,000sq.m) is being designed and should be popular among residents. After construction, by 2020, the joint company will manage the administrative and production real estate over a territory of more than 150,000sq.m (taking into account the innovation centre).

Residents and investments

Design of a part of the Industrial Park

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being responsible for issues of external and social infrastructure, while a joint management company is taking responsibility for internal infrastructure. Construction works were launched in 2015, during Xi Jinping’s visit, and engineering and transport infrastructure are now complete for the first stage (354 hectares). 16km of roads are in use, with around 15km more under construction, and over 200km of gas, electrical, water and sanitation pipeline built, as well as 1st and 2nd elevation water pumping stations, rainfall treatment facilities (covering 53,000sq.m) and household waste treatment facilities (37,000sq.m). Electrical supply networks and communications networks are already at the Park’s borders and the first part of the highway from the Park to the airport is ready, while a fire station is being built.

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Thanks to Chinese technical-economic assistance, there’s a step-down transformer sub-station (110/10 kWt), worth $16.5 million, while waste water flows into the Usha River, after being purified. “We’re grateful for assistance given this year for the Park’s construction, including a 156-apartment building, and an innovation centre,” notes Mr. Koroteev. “The Government adopted corresponding decisions on the appointment of a joint management company as a receiver of technical-economical assistance.” The joint company is developing rental of ready-made administrative and production real estate: an administrative building (12,000sq.m), alongside the first production building for residents (8,000sq.m). Tw o t h r e e - s t o r e y b u i l d i n g s (10,000 sq.m each) are in the acceptance phase while a one-storey building

The Park has thirty-eight residents (up from just twenty-three earlier this year). The founders are twenty-one residents from China, and nine from Belarus, plus eight from Austria, Germany, Israel, Lithuania, Russia and the USA. The total sum of investments is around $1 billion, while 3,468 jobs have been created. This year, the total number of residents should reach forty, with at least half still conducting construction works and ten having launched production of goods and services. The China Merchants CHN-BLR Commercial and Logistics Company is now operating, with an exhibition centre, a business centre with a hotel, three logistics warehouses, a container terminal, and an energy centre (covering 100,000sq.m). Chengdu Xinzhu has also launched its manufacture of super-condensers, while Fluence International Technology has launched production on LED equipment. Ruchtech is making laser equipment, MAZ Weichai is producing diesel engines, and joint company Zoomlion Bel-Rus is involved in construction and communal machinery.

Financing Since the project’s implementation, through until October 2018, $371.3 million has been invested, while tax revenues into Belarus’ budget is estimated at $35-40 million. By Sergey Kurkach

iterary contacts

`` Stone that became

a satellite

Great Stone Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park may become a town-satellite of Minsk “Today we’re discussing the construction of the road which continues Vaupshasov Street [a highway in the direction of Minsk National Airport which goes through the Belarusian-Chinese Industrial Park]. The section of the road inside the Park is already being built,” noted the First Deputy Director General of the Industrial Park Development Company, Kirill Koroteev. Plans include a fast tram and metro service track laid within the Great Park. The Industrial Park focuses on social infrastructure and the first residential housing is to be constructed here for 156 flats. The next step will be the construction of the hospital in the Park and this project is almost ready. Furthermore, in future, there are plans to build around 120,000 square metres of housing: six-storey houses and one-storey buildings. At present, the Industrial Park has 38 residents. “Today, according to the residents’ business plans, the total investments announced so far is estimated at $1-1.1bn — a good figure,” added Mr. Koroteev. “Moreover, we’ve already developed around 350 hectares of land — the start zone of the first stage where about $380m has been injected.” Around ten projects are currently in the stage of active construction. “The most important of these include MAZ Weichai, Ruchtech (that will be manufacturing laser equipment and Zoomlion (the production of mechanised machinery). China Merchants has already implemented the first stage and is now launching the second. Around 150 hectares of land already belong to the residents,” noted the First Deputy Director General. The number of the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park’s residents should reach at least 40 by the end of the year. In 2020, this should increase to 100 and the volume of investments is expected to reach $2-2.5bn. One of the model projects which is to be realised is the production of thin-filmed solar panels.

looking forward to! ‘Zapad’ magazine to illustrtae creativity of Belarusian writers and poets in its first issue in 2019 In the last 5-6 years, a whole range of projects have been implemented in Belarus, aiming to present Chinese literature in Belarusian language, thanks to Zviazda Publishing House and Khudozhestvennaya Literature Publishing House. ‘Plamya’ and ‘Molodost’ magazines and ‘Literatura i Iskusstvo’ (Literature and Art) newspaper have been liaising with the Philology Faculty and International Relations Faculty of the Belarusian State University, alongside the Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology at the Belarusian State University. Much has been written in the Chinese press and spoken at various conferences about creative projects organised in Belarus. They were also presented at the traditional Beijing International Book Fair. However, there have been few new translations of Belarusian literature in China in recent times, except for works by Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich. Her first book, ‘Zinky Boys’, first appeared in China in 1990, translated by Gao Man. Recently, famous Chinese poet Wang Jianzhao translated a collection of verse by Yulia Aleicheiko. Meanwhile, several articles on Belarusian literature and Belarusian book printing have been published in China’s ‘Russian Literature & Art’ journal: an edition that shows interest in all post-Soviet literature. Doctor of Philological Sciences Mrs. Zhang Huiyin notes that a ‘Belarusian issue’ of ‘Zapad’ is scheduled for the magazine’s first edition of 2019. The well-known literary and art periodical has been published in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region since 1953. The January edition will comprise verse by People’s Poet of Belarus Rygor Borodulin, as well as Victor Shnip, Leonid Dranko-Maisyuk and Ales Badak, and stories by Andrey Fedorenko and Ales Badak, translated by Han Xiae and Zhang Huiyin. The January issue of ‘Zapad’ magazine will be presented at the International Book Trade Fair, hosted by Minsk in February. By Sergey Shichko

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iterary friendship

Road to the Sun Acquaintance of Belarusian readers with verses of the great master Ai Qing is one more bridge on a wide river of the Belarusian-Chinese literary friendship

insk has already once seen a book by Ai Qing, as part of the ‘Light Signs: Poets of China’ series. The collection, entitled ‘The Aroma of the Lurking Forest’ contains twentysix verses and they were translated into the Belarusian language by three translators: Nikolay Metlitsky, Tatiana Sivets and Naum Galperovch in 2015. Moreover, Ai Qing’s verses were also published in the author anthology of translations of Chinese poetry — ‘Under the Dragon’s Wings. One Hundred Poets of China’, released back in 2012, as well as in ‘Petals of Lotus and Golden Daisy. One Hundred Poets of China of the 20th Century’. Both projects were created by translator Nikolay Metlitsky. Now, the Khudozhestvennaya Literatura Publishing House is preparing a new collection of Ai Qing’s verses, also translated by Mr. Metlitsky. …Ai Qing was born in the Chinese province of Zhejiang on March 26th, 1910, and died on May 5th, 1996. This rather long period of time contains a journey along life and art — rich for poetic revelations. Despite family needs, the poet finished the secondary school and entered the National Academy of Arts in Hangzhou. Within a year the young man decided to teach painting in Paris. In 1929-1932, the poet was studying in France. Since then, evidently, he has ‘absorbed’ the admiration with Emile Verhaeren.

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Probably, at that time, he opened for himself Walt Whitman. At that time he also enjoyed Vladimir Mayakovsky. However, traces and experience of strangers became only practice and studies for him. The life of Ai Qing, who was arrested in 1932 for speaking against Kuomintang (and was kept in prison until 1935) and his poetic searches became an evidence of his own, special and original approach towards reality. Not destroying old traditions in the Chinese poetry he contributed much new into the Chinese poetry due to managing to see the whole poetic Universe and choosing the free verse. Ai Qing managed to do this together with many of his peers who were also studying in France, the UK and the USA, who were opening the world poetry at home, in China. In 1936, the first poetic collection of Ai Qing was released — ‘Dayanhe’ (My Nurse). The major topic of the book tackled simple life of a Chinese village. When the national liberation was in progress (1937–1945) the poet wrote and released the following poems: ‘Toward the Sun’ (Xiang taiyang) (1938), ‘He Died the Second Time’ (1939), and ‘The Torch’ (1940), as well as collections of verses: ‘North’ (Beifang) and ‘News about Dawn’. In 1941, Ai Qing joined the Communist Party of China and moved into the centre of the liberated districts of Yan’an. He wrote the poem ‘Zoya’, dedicated to the Soviet Komsomol member, as well as works devoted to heroic struggle of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. Mao Zedong paid big attention to belles-lettres and even conducted a special big session where much was spoken

iterary friendship

The Sun Ai Qing in various periods of lis life

about the role of art in strengthening ideological positions of the Communist Party of China and which strongly criticised poetsindividualists. Probably, at that time, a crash began to form in the relations between Ai Qing and the party leadership. Though when the Communist Party of China took the power Ai Qing began to occupy important positions and headed editorial offices of leading literary and art editions. Two collections of Ai Qing’s literary-critical articles appeared in late 1940s bearing the same title: ‘On Poetry’. After the formation of the People’s Republic of China the poet visited the USSR and his trip resulted in a separate poetic book, entitled ‘Rubin Stars’. Ai Qing has also brought a big cycle of verses about America from his trip to Chile. In 1957, new power (how much powers the poet has made in order to come to the new China together with this authority and to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China!) accused Ai Qing of ‘rightism’. In 1958, when it seemed that all conditions for creativity and free life were created, Mao Zedong sent Ai Qing — at that time already a famous poet — to Manchuria for criticising the repression of free speech. For sixteen years the artists and creator was cleaning communal toilets. Until 1978, when he was completely rehabilitated, Ai Qing wasn’t published at all. In 1985, the poet was remembered in France when the President Mitterrand awarded the Chinese writer with Literary Prize of France. A worthy assessment became an evidence of that large-scale work which the creator showed in his return to Chinese readers. Still defending his right of a painter for individuality, Ai Qing wrote a bright poem, ‘On Top of the Wave’. The books of poetry translations of the Chinese master were released in Moscow in 1981 and 1989. Later, a separate monograph dedicated to the Chinese poet was published in Moscow. Now, it’s high time for Ai Qing’s poetry in Belarus. It seems that nowhere in the Slavonic world, except for Russia and now Belarus, the poetic legacy of Ai Qing is read so touchingly and insistently. Acquaintance of Belarusian readers with verses of the great master is one more bridge on a wide river of the Belarusian-Chinese literary friendship.

From distant and black centuries, From epic graves, From peaks that drowse in sleep, From floods that bring death To everything alive The Sun appeared A huge and fire-like disc. Under this bright aureole Life shivered everywhere And leaves began to dance on branches, And river wild streams Followed the sunbeams with a hymn. Deep in the ground When it appeared I heard this! After long sleep Insects began to move, And people’s voices Broke the silence of paralysed areas. Cities, Twinkling with electric lights, Were inviting the Sun With iron thunder. At this moment As if by the hand of the fire My soul, bleeding in throes, Was thrown away, like dirty clothes, And I believed again In the opportunity of human resurrection.

Spring, 1937

By Ales Karlyukevich

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on-traditional approach

For the sake of health Vitebsk is first regional centre to offer traditional Chinese medicine, thanks to the Fohow scientific and innovative enterprise

Becoming a pioneer In the homeland of world-famous artist Marc Chagall, representatives of China are prescribing traditional Chinese medicine. In the early 1990s, psychologist Lionna Futchik established Belarus’ first non-state naturopathic wellness centre — providing sanatorium treatment inside the city. The sanatorium complex offers mud therapy, massage, aromatherapy and herbal medicine, as well as having a psychological assistance room. The project is being jointly realised with Przhevalsky sanatorium, from Russia’s Demidov District. “At that time, little was being written about this type of therapy. However, a positive and professional attitude helped establish business contacts and overcome organisation-

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Lionna Futchik

al problems,” recalls Lionna Futchik. Simultaneously, we organised courses to help hundreds of young people develop their talents. We set up the Phoenix school of health and active longevity and ran seminars for those

wishing to explore the other side of their nature. Meanwhile, the mental health school taught how to control emotions. The Lidorinka wellness centre treats musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis and osteochondrosis, as well as depression and distressed emotional states. Child development issues are also addressed, via such programmes as ‘Step into the Future’ and ‘School of Promising Youth’. Teenagers can also receive vocational consultation, to help guide their career choices. Regardless of age, psychologists can offer help to those in difficult situations. “Psychological problems destroy mental and physical health, leading to illness which no medicine can cure. In such cases, a psychologist is the solution, working with patients to

on-traditional approach nervous system, increasing blood circulation, improving tissue nutrition, regulating endocrine activity, relieving pain and reducing muscle tension. According to Ms. Futchik, anyone can learn the art of ancient Chinese Gua sha massage, which uses curved plates and sharp-edged scrapers to stimulate the tissues and organs, encouraging microcirculation. With various degrees of curvature, and various prongs and projections, the skin is stimulated. Of course, no edge is so sharp that it breaks the skin, and tools can be made from jade, agate, jasper, or bian.

Zdrava Yang-Sheng

In the Zdrava Yang-Sheng Centre in Vitebsk

help them find their own solutions, to achieve peace of mind and restore life balance,” emphasises Ms. Futchik.

Upgrade brings happiness Many years of experience has allowed Ms. Futchik to set up partnerships with Chinese partners, and has brought her the position of heading the Fohow scientific and technical investment holding office. The word ‘fohow’ stands for Phoenix in Chinese: the mythological bird, like an eagle with bright red or golden plumage, which revives from being burnt to ashes. Known in various mythologies and often associated with sun worship, it burns itself in its own nest, allowing a chick to emerge. Stoics says that the world is cyclically born and dies in fire, so the Phoenix can be seen as a metaphor for the universe, as well as being an allegory for hope. In the Christian world, it symbolises the triumph of eternal life over death. In metaphorical interpretation, the Phoenix symbolises eternal re-

newal, bringing happiness. “We chose the name of our company to bring to mind the culture of restoring vitality,” says Ms. Futchik. Fohow is an international corporation established by Mr. Yu Fei and his business partners and is registered in Hong Kong. The corporation has its own institute, Yang-Sheng Fohow (‘Yang-Sheng’ stands for ‘love life’ in Chinese), which specialises in research, production and promotion of health industry products worldwide. Their natural food products draw on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the corporation is engaged in innovative developments in the field of physiotherapy and reflexology, producing multifunctional textiles for use alongside TCM.

Gua sha is not paint Vitesbk’s centre also offers Tai Chi Qigong classes, which bring the body and mind into balance through a sequence of controlled movements. There are even workshops on acupressure, which works by stimulating the

Vitebsk’s Zdrava Yang-Sheng Centre of Slavic-Chinese Practices was established in liaison with the Health Protection Faculty of Vitebsk State Medical University, whose Dean is Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Tatiana Olenskaya. Working with the founder of Fohow, Wang Xiaoliang and Mr. Zhao Peng, who heads the Tianjin office of the Fohow corporation in Moscow, the Vitebsk centre offers classes in the art of Yang and Yin vital energy, which works with pressure points. Staff explain the theory of Wu Xing, based on the primary elements of fire, earth, water, wood and metal, and their relationship with our internal organs. Many have been learning about the Oriental arts of acupuncture, acupressure, and Su-Jok therapy, even taking part in international conferences and symposia, with some conducting internships in China. The Chinese Embassy in Russia has been working with Vitebsk specialists to pass on rehabilitation methods used in China for thousands of years. Meanwhile, Fohow is involved in charity activities in Vitebsk, recently donating furniture to a social shelter housing children temporarily, after they’ve faced difficulties at home. By Alexander Pukshansky

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ducational projects

he MSLU’s assembly hall was crowded long before the opening ceremony, with young people gathering at presentation stands, carefully studying brochures and chatting with representatives of foreign universities, watching video clips and exchanging contacts. Undoubtedly, many wish to study Chinese. In 2017, the Chinese Language Department

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opened at the Linguistic University, currently with three hundred students enrolled. Tatiana Demianenko, the Director of the Confucius Institute, led the ceremonial meeting of Belarusians with Chinese representatives of the educational sector. She was assisted by MSLU students, who acted as interpreters. The assembly hall was full, mostly comprising students keen on studying abroad. The Acting Rector of the Linguistic University, the Vice-Rector

for Research, Larisa Tarasevich, expressed her hope that the partnership and friendship between Belarus and China will be further strengthened. Ms. Han Xiaojie, the Deputy Director of International Office of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, spoke in detail about the benefits of studying in the eastern region. She said, “We have many talented people. Follow Marco Polo!” In 2017, there were 40,000 students from 180 countries studying in the

E Jiangsu Province, which is one of the most successful in China, boasting a well-developed economy and a high level of education and culture. Relations between Belarus and China are developing rapidly. A good example is the Great Stone Industrial Park, which is widely advertised in China. Investors are willing to invest in the development of Belarusian projects and, according to Ms. Xiaojie, after studying in China, young Belarusians are more likely to work well at home. Andrey Krasutsky, the chief specialist of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of Belarus, reminded guests of past political meetings between President Alexander Lukashenko and the Chinese authorities, aimed at strengthening allround co-operation. He also mentioned the statement of the Minister of Education, Igor Karpenko, about the need to learn Chinese as an academic subject. Belarus also joins China in declaring 2019 the Year of Education. A student of the Chinese Language Department, Anna Yaryshkina, was invited onto the stage to share her impressions of China, where she passed an internship. She spoke good Chinese and was interpreted into Russian by a Chinese student! That was a great tandem of two languages and two cultures… The official part of the opening ceremony concluded with a small concert. Students performed famous English songs in Chinese and danced in Oriental national costumes. The final chord — the most vivid and memorable — was a performance by Chinese delegation members. The deans and their deputies, representatives of the admission committees of eastern universit ies and le c turers s ang jointly the ‘Jasmine’ song in their native language. They tried to sing harmoniously and their performance was touching! Unsurprisingly, all those present burst into applause. By Alisa Krasovskaya. Photo by the author.

ducational projects

Representatives of Chinese universities explain studying abroad

Students become acquainted with Jiangsu Province

Meihua Student Theatre

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o-operation

Closer to China China attracts students from around the world, with those from the Minsk State Linguistic University heading to the Confucius Institute to learn international communications Everything begins with language Our relations with China are strong and close, making us forget the thousands of kilometres that separate us, and the challenge of a language much more complicated than Belarusian. Of course, over a billion people worldwide speak Chinese and not all are native speakers. To find out how Belarusians manage

to take on board Chinese culture, we visit the Confucius Institute at Minsk’s State Linguistic University, chatting with Director Tatiana Demianenko, who tells us whether Belarusians learn Chinese characters easily. Ms. Demianenko, Confucius institutes are a global network of cultural-educational centres, with some cities having several branches — including offices, classes and in st it ut i on s .

How many are located in Minsk and Belarus? There are four centres in Minsk. The first is the Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology, b a s e d at t h e B e l a r u s i a n St at e University since 2006. Ours opened in September 2011 and, three years later, the Confucius Institute was established at the Belarusian National Technical University. In 2015, the Confucius class began operation at the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture. There are also many

Director of the MSLU Confucius Institute, Tatiana Demianenko

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o-operation

A visit to the Confucius Institute feels like a trip to the Heavenly Empire

branches at schools, gymnasiums and higher educational institutions across Belarus, each with their own institutes, classes and offices. How do they differ from each other and who initiates and sponsors the opening of new cultural centres? Regardless of their name, they have a single goal: to promote Chinese language and culture. This is one of the mandatory conditions. However, the volume of funding varies, being greater at institutions. We’re all sponsored by the Chinese, with funds allocated by the state office for the dissemination of Chinese culture of Hanban, whose headquarters is located in Beijing. It runs every centre worldwide: about 5,000 in all. Our esteemed Rector and later Chair of the Confucius Institute, Natalia Baranova, initiated our Chinese corner at MSLU. It’s now grown into an independent Institute, thanks to her efforts. Top guests from China attended its opening. Meanwhile, we’ve established classes

at schools and gymnasiums, which liaise with our universities. We have Confucius classes in Molodechno, Baranovichi, Minsk, Grodno, Mogilev and Borisov. Belarusian Confucius Institutes offer various focuses. The BSU, for example, hosts more scientific conferences and seminars, while the BNTU studies science and technology. What about yours? Our educational projects do vary. We’re interested in medical topics, so we organise special forums and, of course, we teach Chinese. This year, the Institute has about two hundred students. Among them are accountants, railway workers, TV staff and employees of private companies. The youngest is 8 years old but we’ve even had a girl of five, who came to the MSLU with her mother to take the international HSK and HSKK exams. It was interesting to watch them both sitting and writing. Moreover, they passed the first level (of six).

Following Marco Polo Every year, the Confucius Institute organises trips for students to train in China for up to a year. Immersion into the culture of the country and its language is useful and exciting. Of course, many are keen to stay longer, as the Jiangsu Province, where the Southeast University is located, is famous for the quality of its education, attracting students from all over the world. Internships pay for food, insurance, accommodation and training (all fully paid by the Chinese). Students need only pass the selection round, in Belarus, featuring oral and written exams, then apply for a scholarship. Of course, youngsters return from China as different people, having fallen in love with the country. Even ten days are enough to change your mind, as the national culture is so exciting! I loved the rotating round tables and chopsticks… Students come back with not only excellent knowledge of the language and rare page

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o-operation

Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Shi Ling (L) with an employee

souvenirs — such as Cheongsam and traditional costumes, red lanterns and umbrellas — but with their own love of certain customs. Rather than bringing home electronic gadgets, they’re more likely to return with a desire to organise Chinese tea ceremonies at home, and ideas for joint Belarusian-Chinese projects. Some even wish to teach Belarusian to the Chinese. We know demand for linguists in Belarus is ever growing. The Great Stone Park and various schools and gymnasiums are eager to introduce Chinese language classes, but lack teachers. Some wish to teach Belarusian to the Chinese but is our language of interest to them? Recently, we were at a reception organised by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenip otentiar y of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus, Mr. Cui Qiming, on the occasion of China’s National Day. He addressed guests with a wel c ome sp e e ch i n Belarusian, which was so lovely! I’ve heard that he tries to speak Belarusian at various meetings and his pronunciation is great! Not

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all Belarusians speak so cleanly. My colleague, Shi Ling — the Director of the Confucius Institute on the Chinese side — is also gradually learning Belarusian. Meanwhile, Chinese students often ask how a certain word is pronounced in Belarusian.

Forums, meetings, conferences… Life is busy at the Confucius Institute; every summer, its students leave for two weeks to camp in Nanjing, the capital of the Jiangsu Province.

There, they practice Chinese, and attend master classes on such cultural pastimes as paper cutting, weaving decorative knots, and calligraphy, as well as tasting national cuisine, touring the capital and its surroundings, and going to Shanghai. Meanwhile, school directors and their deputies and teachers visit China to attend lectures and go on excursions. Like their students, they return inspired. A delegation from the Southeast Un i ve r s it y of t e n c om e s t o t h e MSLU. The Chinese are interested in opening centres of Belarusian language and culture, and a couple such have already been launched. The ‘Bridge’ national competition, organised by the Chinese Embassy, is a multi-stage competition in Chinese language, launched seventeen years ago, at the MSLU. There’s a qualifying round to select 10-13 semi-finalists, who then spend 3-4 hours competing for the right to represent their country in Beijing, where the final of the international competition is held. Another contest is specifically for poetry, song and performance in Chinese. The ‘Legends of China’ jury comprises representatives of such well-known companies as Huawei, and Medea, and features those from the Great Stone Park.

C Every year, the best students from all over Belarus receive a scholarship from the Chinese Ambassador, worth about $1,000 — for achievements in studying Chinese language. The Confucius Institute celebrates its birthday twice: on September 18th (its anniversary of establishment at the MSLU); and on September 24th (the day of all Confucius institutes). The holiday lasts for a week, involving traditional workshops and solemn meetings. This year, a new Centre of Chinese Language and Culture opened in the Student Village and the Meihua Student Theatre performed at the Town Hall — representing the art of the East. Naturally, the Confucius Institute celebrates Chinese New Year and next year is to be the Year of Education — both in Belarus and China, so there will be many events dedicated to our Belarusian-Chinese friendship. Tell us about the World Conference of Confucius Institutes… It’s traditionally held in December, hosted by a Chinese city. I love these meetings and always look forward to them. Despite the fact that the forum attracts a huge number of people, we all know each other well, like a family, and are so happy to meet. Everyone shares their achievements, then discusses

problems, relaying experience. In May, there are regional conferences. I attended in Athens in 2017, when the quality of teaching Chinese was the main item on the agenda. I was pleasantly surprised, as it used to be seen as an achievement to speak and understand any level of Chinese. Now, we’re talking about improving the level of teaching. It was also noted that the Chinese lack enough Russianspeaking teachers. Basically, everyone speaks English. As far as I know, this conference not only discusses the urgent affairs of institutions, but also confers titles. Yes… in 2014-2015, my predecessor, Larisa Tregubova, received an award for having made a ‘great contribution to the development of the Confucius Institute’. In 2013, our ‘Chinese island’ was named ‘Best Confucius Institute of the Year’. There are only ten such titles in the world. When were you appointed director? Is it difficult to manage an international project with Shi Ling’s partner? I’ve been in this position for eight months and, previously, occupied the post of Deputy Dean of the Faculty of English for Educational Work, working a lot with the Institute. So, my administrative

o-operation

training was good! I teach English now and have twenty-five years of experience at the MSLU. Last July, I went to Beijing for an eight-day internship of Confucius Institute Directors. We were taught to build relationships with the Chinese director. It turns out that there are a variety of situations and problematic relationships. Fortunately, in our tandem with Shi Ling, everything is fine. I think if you love your job, and if it makes you happy, any difficulties are easy to overcome. Confucius himself said: choose a job you like, and you do not have to work a single day in your life. Is it necessary for the Belarusian Director of the Confucius Institute to know Chinese? A mandator y condition of employment here is knowledge of the English language. The Chinese Director doesn’t speak Russian or Belarusian. I studied Chinese for a year, but haven’t been doing so lately. This language is complex and requires a lot of time and effort. I would divide it into two: oral and written. In Chinese words, there are also different tones: you can say the same spelling with a different tone, and the meaning changes. Having worked for many years at the MSLU, what can you say about today’s students? Do those from abroad differ from Belarusian students? All young people look the same: they wear modern clothes — such as jeans with fashionable cuts, and listen to pop music. They differ from previous generations in their motivations. We were guided by our heart while the modern generation clearly understands what’s profitable and promising. Learning Chinese is popular in our country because young people believe learning it will help their career.

Delegation of representatives of higher education from Jiangsu Province

By Alisa Krasovskaya. Photo by the author.

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cology

Belarusian Polesie is their native home International ecological project implemented in Belarus to preserve one of Europe’s endangered birds

fforts are made to restore the habitat of the Aquatic Warbler — a globally endangered species — in the Belarusian reserves of Sporovsky and Zvanets.

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The “Wetlands” project should assist, financed by the Global Environmental Facility and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus.

The Aquatic Warbler is one of the rarest songbirds in Europe, though it was once found in over twenty European states. In the last century alone, its world population has reduced by 95 percent, as a result of reclamation of almost all

E lowland bogs. The nesting places of this rare bird species remain only in Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Germany. Moreover, half of the world’s population nests in our Republic. The Belarusian reserves of Sporovsky and Zvanets are important internationally, being the key habitats for the largest population of Aquatic Warbler in Europe. Most of the Sporovsky Reserve is covered by lowland bogs and Sporovskoe bog is one of the largest floodplain lowland bogs in Europe, remaining close to its natural condition. Fifty-two species of animal and twenty-two types of plant are registered on the reserve’s territory — all listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. Among its inhabitants are many endangered species: Greater Spotted Eagles, Aquatic Warblers, Double Snipers, Black-tailed Godwits, Curlews, European Otters, European Tortoises and Dwarf Dragonflies. The population of Aquatic Warblers numbers around 500 to 700 male birds. In recent years, open lowland bogs have become covered by trees, bushes and reeds (no longer being cut for cattle grazing), that is jeopardising their globally important biodiversity. Open bog territory has reduced by 25 percent because of the spread of bushes alone, necessitating the removal of reeds, trees, bushes and grass.

As part of the “Wetlands” project, machiner y has been purchased to aid clearing, with plant matter being used for chip fuel, hay and fertilisers. At least 1,200 hectares are to be cleared, creating new jobs at Sporovsky Reserve. It’s planned to mow almost 2,000 hectares of grass, for biomass use in agriculture and burning in local boiler-houses. Moreover, mown grass and seeds can be used for speedy restoration of lowland bogs on previously developed peatlands at Dokudovskoe bog. Zvanets Reserve boasts Europe’s largest lowland sedge bog, as well as the world’s largest nesting place for the Aquatic Warbler. More than 25 percent of the global population of this endangered bird species nest there, and the site is home to other rare birds: Greater Spotted Eagles, Double Snipers and Curlews. Rare types of plants also find their home there, alongside insects such as Dytiscus Latissimus (a species of beetle).

ecology

Rampant reeds and bushes are violating the hydrological regime, preventing mowing and negatively influencing the local population of Aquatic Warbler and other bird species. The “Wetlands” project will include not only mowing at Zvanets Reserve but the removal of reeds and bushes over the area of almost 5,000 hectares. As at Sporovsky Reserve, these will be used for chip fuel, mulching, and production of bio-fertilisers. The aim is to see endangered bird species revive in number. By Vladimir Mikhailov

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ersonality

Lord of joy

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ersonality

in each day. His life journey hasn’t always been easy, filled with the sorrows we all face, but he has found his path, knowing that all comes right eventually. In his youth, he learnt tolerance and patience, and began radiating the joy for which he’s become known. His neurosurgical skills are invaluable, keeping him busy at the Republican Research and Clinical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Equipped with the most advanced, European level equipment, he takes part in all brain surgery operations. Professor Smeyanovich has been showered with awards and titles and is blessed in having been married for over fifty-eight years. His wife, Tamara, is also a doctor (he jokes that she has the genes of a Decembrist wife). Instead of persuading her husband to work in Logoisk (where her father invited them both to work as surgeons) the daughter of the First Secretary of the Logoisk District Committee of the Party followed her husband to the Mogilev Region’s rural hospital in Dribin. They married as students, during their sixth-year internship in Bobruisk. Their children are also doctors. Their

son, Vitaly, is a famous neurosurgeon and heads the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology at the Republican Research and Clinical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery, while their daughter is a dentist. They also have three grandsons and one granddaughter, and their elder grandson, Stas, is studying at Minsk Medical University. They even have a great-granddaughter. Arnold Smeyanovich has been working in medicine since 1963, having started at a rural hospital. He understood the Hippocratic oath and patients’ desperate need for healthcare. A doctor needs to inspire confidence in a favourable outcome. In his three years at the rural hospital, he learnt much that was indispensable.

He still remembers arriving at Dribin, meeting the local surgeon and his wife — an obstetrician-gynaecologist who hadn’t had a vacation for two years. They showed him how to act in an emergency, such as a case of appendicitis, and how to tackle hernias, a perforated ulcer, or uterine bleeding. Their accumulated experience was incredible, and Mr. Smeyanovich had to cover while they went on holiday. There was a power cut and he was worrying, as he had to make on-the-spot decisions, even performing surgery on an old man who’d been stabbed in the heart. One young man — an officer — was brought to the hospital with a broken back, following his diving into a river. Vit a ly u nd e rsto o d that he needed help, page

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s to where Professor Smeyanovich gains his optimism, it’s obvious that his Faith plays a role. He seems born to bring joy to others, and to take pleasure

Arnold Smeyanovich on his jubilee

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ersonality

so a post-graduate student Fiodor Oleshkevich arrived from Minsk and Mr. Smeyanovich assisted him, even though he’d never seen such a surgery. Perhaps, the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon himself was standing over Oleshkevich. He said, “When you arrive in Minsk, I’ll introduce you to neurosurgeon Efraim Zlotnikov, who needs young people.” Smeyanovich then began focusing on neurosurgery, under Zlotnikov. The founder of Belarusian neurosurgery liked the humility of the young doctor, as he later told him, recollecting how Smeyanovich patiently knitted nodes during surgeries. When we asked Mr. Smeyanovich whether he’d found the key to the mysteries of the brain, he told us, “The brain remains a closely guarded secret. It’s not a grey substance; it’s tenderpink in colour, and very beautiful. I can only admire Mother Nature and the Lord who created this miracle. Is t he brain a rep ositor y of knowledge? A universal encyclopaedia?

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How does everything work? A ‘picture’ immediately appears in the brain on receiving any signal from a nerve, eye or ear. Here is a cat sitting under roses. This is my working table and this is a photo of my father. This is a portrait of my teacher Zlotnikov, and here are you, my guests… Unbelievable! I know one thing: the brain is the most powerful machine — stronger than any super-computer. I can’t guess how it ‘processes’ so quickly! From where do thoughts generate? Theories, hypothesis, discoveries? I often give examples to those who are keen to know the answer to the question of the brain’s mysteries. I’ll also share it with you. I think this information will be useful. It’s also present on the Internet. For instance, the laureate of two State Awards of the USSR, surgeon Voino-Yasenetsky (Archbishop Luka) used to say that the brain is like a telephone exchange. By the way, he was born in Belarus. Natalia Bekhtereva (an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Medical Academy of

Sciences) believed that the human brain can create only the simplest thoughts but it doesn’t add anything to what it receives. Meanwhile, John Eccles, a Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology and Medicine, who discovered ionic mechanisms of excitement and relaxation in the central and peripheral nervous cells, believed that the brain doesn’t ‘generate’ thoughts but only perceives them. In the end, who sent Fiodor Oleshkevich, to invite me to Minsk? Maybe, you’re right and St. Panteleimon himself was standing in that operating room when the young officer was being saved. Did Oleshkevich receive vibrations from the heavenly telephone station? My life turned towards neurosurgery. In any case, I like imagining something like this…” We also like this thought! Arnold Smeyanovich searches for joy in everything surrounding him. It’s a great recipe for remaining interested in the world, staying young at heart. It makes me think of ‘Pollyanna’ — the American bestseller by Eleanor Porter, as well as

Neurosurgeons of the Republican Research and Clinical Centre during surgery. Arnold Smeyanovich (L)

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ersonality

Endovascular surgery on brain vessels at Minsk’s clinical hospital No.5

Sarah Harding’s film of the same title (which we recently watched). The optimistic heroine used to look for the positive in everything, just like the hero of our publication. For fifty-eight years, Arnold S m e y a n ov i c h c on du c t e d br a i n surgeries, treating around 10,000 patients. What joy it must have brought him. It’s no wonder that he’s embraced the idea of cherishing every moment, and has encouraged others to think in the same way; life is fragile. He conducts about 250 surgeries annually and has never refused to help anyone. His laughter lines, around his eyes, bear witness to his delight in life. He doesn’t pretend to be anything but himself, and his sincerity wins people’s confidence. His very presence inspires optimism. We leave in an elevated mood and with a cup of golden honey, which he

gives us as he bids us farewell. Supposing to drink tea with us, he’d prepared honey and biscuits but had to rush off to surgery… Having departed from our charming interlocutor, we sat for a while on a bench outside the Republican Research and Clinical Centre, in front of red and yellow maple trees. It was dinner time and we were keen to share opinions on this wonderful person, wishing to prolong the experience. It was October, an Indian summer, warm, with the air filled with the aromas of autumn. We took our apples and opened the cup of honey. We’d forgotten to ask Mr. Smeyanovich whether he’d ever read about Pollyanna. We’d forgotten to ask what kept him young: his genes or some other secret. We decided he’d been born like this. How happy we were to discover, while writing this article, that Mr. Smeyanovich had already answered this question, saying

that it was important to think positively. Negative thoughts are self-fulfilling. So, it’s better to be glad, and treat others kindly. Arnold Smeyanovich is the sort of man you want to count among your friends: a man who believes that life is a gift from the Lord.

Destiny — to live Many surgeons have icons in their offices, and speak openly of their belief in God. Arnold Smeyanovich is no exception, believing that we cannot fathom everything. It’s also a wellknown fact that before the launch of the brain laboratory research Natalia Bekhtereva received a blessing from the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, Ioann Snychev. How many successful surgeries are t here w here a positive result seems page

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ersonality

Arnold Smeyanovich performs at First Eurasian Congress of Paediatric Neurosurgeons in Minsk

From the biography of Arnold Smeyanovich Professor Arnold Smeyanovich heads the Department of Neurosurgery at the Republican Research and Clinical Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery. He is an academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, a Doctor of Medical Sciences, an Honoured Figure of Science, and laureate of the State Award of Belarus. He is also an honorary member of the Association of Neurosurgeons of Russia. From 1997-2005, he was the Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiotherapy. He is an author of twenty-five inventions and patents, boasting more than four hundred scientific works, including seven monographs. Moreover, his numerous awards include the Order of the Fatherland of the 3rd degree.

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almost impossible. Mr. Sme yanovich g ives examples, and many can be read online. He mentions two famous cases, saying, “Once, a tall young man entered my office and asked whether I remembered him. I didn’t but he told me that I’d operated on him when he was three years old, and it seemed unlikely he’d live long. His type of tumour, like a medulla blastoma, was usually fatal. There are up to 200 types of tumour. However, nature can surprise us. Anyway, the young man is absolutely healthy now.” “Yes,” he adds, “Many mysteries of the brain are beyond our understanding. The body never fails to amaze me. Many years ago, together with Prof. Zlotnikov, we conducted surgery on a girl whose tumour occupied her whole cerebral hemisphere. She was left with only half a brain but the other half took the over. She grew up, married, and is still healthy.” Mr. Smeyanovich was lucky to escape death when it seemed impossible, during the Great Patriotic War. Pukhovichi was occupied by the Germans and Arnold was just six years old when he and his friend from a neighbouring house decided to ride on the back of a military vehicle. He became hooked on something and was dragged under the wheels but a German surgeon saved him. Mr. Smeyanovich remembers his grandmother predicting that he’d become a surgeon, because of being saved by the surgeon. He dreamed of becoming a pilot but his eyesight prevented him. Many Jewish families lived in Pukhovichi and Arnold Smeyanovich and his grandmother happened to be on the street one day, when Jewish families were being rounded up. Being dark-complexioned, they might have been executed, were it not for women who drew them from the crowd. There were rumours that the Jewish residents were later shot but fate saved Arnold Smeyanovich, keeping him alive, to save others from death.

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By Valentina Zhdanovich. Photo by www.sb.by.

echnologies in medicine

Saving dummy Semen Medical students study anatomy on gigantic tablet and practice on robot-dummies

www.sb.by

reakthrough discoveries and information technologies are changing modern medicine at an unbelievable pace, with smart devices entering medical practice, as well as the teaching process of new doctors. A recent innovation at the Belarusian State Medical University (BSMU) is an anatomic table with a visualisation system. It simply boggles the imagination. Our reporters spent the day seeing how today’s medical students learn their profession. Behind the glass doors of a small classroom, a group of students in white coats listen attentively to Associate Professor of the Anomalous Anatomy Chair, Anna Pasyuk. She’s leaning over the white table, which resembles an ordinary operating table but is actually a gigantic tablet where anatomy can be studied in high definition and with exclusive accuracy. It enables students to make incisions on a virtual patient and study his internal structure in the tiniest detail, from any angle and projection. There’s also an ‘anatomical library’ containing over a thousand unique clinical cases from all over the world: rare diseases, congenital anomalies and injuries. The detailed structure of four people who donated their body after death can be examined virtually, via ultra-precise 3D images. Every millimetre of tissue, organs and vessels can be seen; the tini-

Anatomic table with visualisation system

est incisions were scanned, for ‘reassembly’ with the help of a computer. Using a joystick, you can regulate the brightness via smartphone, and ‘remove’ layer upon layer from the person on the virtual table. It’s truly a marvel. A couple of clicks and you view under the skin, then deeper and deeper. It’s possible to add and remove venous and arterial systems, to monitor how blood is circulating at various points in the body and, if you select an organ, you can examine it in minute detail, making necessary ‘incisions’ to study layer by layer. “Our university purchased the anatomic table last year,” notes Anna Pasyuk. “Now, we’re introducing it into our educational programme, adapting the

curriculum to maximise IT opportunities. This table is of greatest interest to students in their first and second years, but can also prove useful to support senior students who, for instance, are studying topographic anatomy. Interns and assistant physicians also find it useful.” The equipment can be used for midterm tests and to train in practical skills. A teacher might prepare a particular test in advance, asking students to name certain parts of the body, or diagnose. The database is huge, so is divided into sections, including fractures, tumours, and abnormal and normal structures. Students can also monitor how human organs change with age. By Olga Savitskaya

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cience for production

Artificial cardiac valves before sterilisation

Elektronmash employee Tamara Torotko conducts the bench-work of the artificial cardiac valve’s frame

Concerns of the heart How artificial cardiac valves are produced in Belarus

cience invents new ideas, while production brings them to life, says the Director of Elektronmash, Oleg Goretsky. Scientific developments find their embodiment in his enterprise’s products. The company manufactures technological equipment and medical items, but its major work focuses on the heart.

the Eurasian Economic Union — in the Russian Penza Region and the Belarusian capital.

The unique enterprise employs fifty people but, according to the director, each of them is a fine master craftsman.

From heart to heart Items for cardio-surgery have been developed at this factory in Minsk for twenty-seven years. The artificial cardiac valves, Planiks-E, have been produced for almost a decade. A model is implanted into a human instead of damaged aortal and mitral valves. Such prostheses are manufactured only at six enterprises worldwide, with two of these being in

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Director of Elektronmash Oleg Goretsky

cience for producrion

Fitting process

Fitter-gatherer Vyacheslav Lepnikov at work

Manual labour accounts for almost 70 percent of the production process. It’s no surprise, as the quality of the prosthesis ensures the life of a patient. Doctor of Medical Sciences and practicing surgeon, Yuri Chesnov, and State Award laureate, academician Yuri Ostrovsky, are liaising with the company. According to the director, on visiting the enterprise, foreign specialists are always surprised at how the small country of Belarus can independently produce such unique prostheses. Meanwhile, the story of an employee who was implanted with a valve created at his own company back at the beginning of production (almost thirty years ago) has become a true legend. “We began with single-cusp valve. In some technical, physical parameters and characteristics the angle of opening of the cusp led to blood foaming which is not desirable. Accordingly, the whole world has moved to bicuspid valves. Why do we need these? To avoid return blood flow, enabling it to go around the circuit,” Mr. Goretsky explains the basics of anatomy and technology. Over twenty-five years, the prostheses have given the chance of life to 10,000 patients in Belarus. This is comparable with the number of residents of Volozhin or Uzda. In our country, Planiks valves occupy around 90 percent of the market for these products. According to specialists, domestic prostheses can rival imported ones, and the price is lower. Valves are manufactured on a to-order basis and around 1,500 items are produced annually. However, the artificial

cardiac valves made at the Elektronmash Plant don’t have a complex construction. Mr. Goretsky tells us in detail how all the elements work. Not everything is easy to understand just by listening, but if we look more carefully, it’s possible to see how it works.

Exporting health The number of products exported to foreign markets amounts to hundreds. Major partners of the enterprise are Ukraine and Kazakhstan. In the Asian countries, our specialists conducted master classes in the cardiac centres in Alma-Ata and Pavlodar. In the Pavlodar clinic they do approximately the same number of operations as in Belarus. The factory works closely with the Ukrainian Research Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery (named after N.M. Amosov) and the Heart Institute. “On entering the market it’s necessary to assure the cardiologists of these countries that the item is of good quality. We conduct master classes, where our cardiosurgeons, for example, academician Yuri Ostrovsky, teach people how to implant the prosthesis correctly. Valves of various manufacturers have their own peculiarities and it’s necessary to be aware of these nuances,” emphasised Mr. Goretsky. The manufacturer plans to establish export supplies of artificial valves to Georgia, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The head of the company underlines that, “Work is being undertaken but it’s necessary to understand

that not every country boasts specialists in cardio-surgery. To produce an item is one thing, while to implant it is completely different.” The production has been certified in line with international standards, which ensures its implementation in various countries, except for the EU. “On buying some goods one can see the European marking CE. Today we don’t have it, but hope to in the future,” says the director of the plant. The Belarusian company takes part in tenders for the supply of goods, including to England. In November-December, they plan to conduct registration and deliver small lots by distributors to Georgia. Journalists ask if we’ll soon be able to print cardiac valves on a 3D printer. The director of the enterprise doesn’t agree, “You’ve seen the production and the process. Each specialist fulfils their own technological operation and makes the item in compliance with strict procedures, avoiding rough edges and splits. I think that at present 3D printing won’t ensure this. However, it may be able to do this in future. We’ll see.” The valve helps the human’s major organ to beat evenly for at least a decade but can work even longer. Everything depends on each individual case. The specialists say that, by creating the product, they primarily would like to help ill patients stand on their own feet and fulfil their work meticulously, sincerely for the health of our hearts. By Maria Dadalko. Photo by Anna Zankovich.

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remiere

World premiere of ‘Anastasia’ ballet at Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus presents artistic improvisation on the historical theme to much applause and encore Honoured Artistes of Belarus — Anton Kravchenko and Irina Yeromkina

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Pavel Sushchenok

Hypostasis of Anastasia Slutskaya

rector of the Bolshoi Theatre, Vladimir Gridyushko, also claimed great applause, looking around the hall with obvious delight. All who’ve been working on ‘Anastasia’ must now surely be breathing a sigh of relief, including the public relations and marketing team. Back in 2003, Belarusfilm Studio shot the ‘Anastasia Slutskaya’ historical documentary, using a script written by Anatoly Delendik. Directed by Yuri Yelkhov, the film won the Platinum Award at the International Film Festival in Houston (Texas, USA) in 2004 and a diploma in the ‘Adventure Film’ category. In 2006, it became a laureate of the International Film Festival in Hangzhou in China — winning the ‘Crystal Jellyfish’ award. On the eve of the traditional prepremiere press conference, there was speculation as to whether ‘Anastasia’ would too closely resemble the ‘Vytautas’ ballet (the music being written by the same composer) or the film ‘Anastasia Slutskaya’ (script and lyrics by Anatoly Delendik). However, such fears were foundless, as ‘Anastasia’ is a completely original ballet. For the third page

remiere

We know very little about the life and deeds of Princess Anastasia Slutskaya (late 15th — early 16th century). The daughter of Ivan Yurievich — Duke Mstislavsky — she married Semen Mikhailovich Olelkovich — Duke Slutsky. After his death, she more than once (15051508) led the army, successfully repelling Tatar raids

Mikhail Nesterov

he premiere has been awaited these five years and has proven to be as spectacular as was hoped for. Emotional shouts of ‘Bravo’ welcomed almost all the dancers on stage, after the performance ended. Among them were pupils of the Choreographic Gymnasium-College, playing the son and the daughter of Anastasia. The standing ovation, with hundreds of smiles, bore witness to the Theatre’s triumph, and the transformative power of the dramatic arts. Choreographer, ballet-master and People’s Artiste of Belarus Yuri Troyan took bows to great applause, as did composer Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, conductor Andrey Galanov, the author of the libretto Anatoly Myasnikovich, production and set designer Alexander Kostyuchenko, and costume and stage designer Yekaterina Bulgakova. Most are well known, already having received state awards. Sponsor Belaruskali JSC presented flowers, alongside those from the theatre management and friends, sending a huge floral basket onto the stage. The General Di-

A scene from the ballet: the marriage between Anastasia and Semen Slutsky

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time, the Bolshoi Theatre has created an innovative masterpiece, in the footsteps of 2017’s ‘Vytautas’, and Dmitry Smolsky’s ‘Grey Legend’ opera, first staged in September 2012. The latter is a truly national performance: a modern classic of which we are rightly proud, receiving the State Award of Belarus in 2016. ‘Vytautas’ play wrig ht Alexe y Dudarev once gave a TV interview for ONT in which he said, “Our Middle Ages were no worse than in France or England. The difference is that they commonly romanticise history, while we are only taking the first steps on that path.” People’s Artiste of the USSR Valentin Yelizariev also spoke to ONT, saying, “The main guiding force of the theatre, which distinguishes it from all other theatres worldwide, is its creation of national performances. It’s very important to set a high standard for such national shows. They must be the best.” At the end of September, Mr. Yelizariev, who has made Belarusian ballet famous globally, was appointed to the post of Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Theatre. Clearly, he intends to supplement the repertoire with more national performances — both in opera and ballet — wishing to make our

Lyudmila Ulantseva (Anastasia) doesn’t return Mikhail Glinsky’s affection

Pavel Sushchenok

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Pavel Bas

Laureate of international contests Takatoshi Machiyama (Akhmat) combines genes, talent and art

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theatre known and respected not only in Europe but all over the world. I hope we’ll witness this in future. Regarding the premiere, Yuri Troyan said, “‘Anastasia’ is not an historical study but a choreographic legend.” In an interview with ‘Parterre’ magazine, he stressed, “Our main goal was to show Anastasia as more than just a warrior — a Belarusian Joan of Arc. I’m more interested in her path from youth: the way in which a virtuous young girl tackled conflicts. These gradually hardened her character, making her stronger, and psychologically ready for serious action.” Has it been a success? For me, it’s obvious. Irina Yeromkina danced

the first premiere, truly capturing the character of Anastasia, the wife of Duke Semen Slutsky. We see the many faces of the legendary princess, realising that she’s a woman of strong character who knows what she wants. Even when young Anastasia marries Semen, her spiritual power is visible. This is brilliantly manifested in the lyrical Adagio: the scene of Anastasia’s intimacy with her husband (performed by Anton Kravchenko during the premiere). It’s impossible not to admire their beautiful and sensual duet, which glorifies love. The sublime sensuality and power of Ms. Yeromkina dominates in a way rarely seen.

Pavel Sushchenok

Laureate of international contests Alexandra Chizik (playing Zaira) gives original and expressive performance

Although there’s only a short period of time in which we must be convinced of Anastasia’s transformation, I had no difficulty in believing her to be not only passionately in love, to be a gentle mother to her children but able to gather an army and lead it in battle against the Crimean Tatars. Lyudmila Ulanskaya’s transition from youth to maturity was less convincing (as performed during the final rehearsal) despite her femininity and beauty. Somehow, she lacked a warrior’s inner strength. Perhaps, over time, her spiritual power will develop, and I don’t know how it will turn out for the other four ballerinas sharing the role: Olga Gaiko, Pervana Myradova, Anna Foki-

na and Yana Shtangey. As Mr. Troyan said at the press conference, everyone will be given an opportunity to show their talent, including the six male dancers each allocated to the roles of Mikhail Glinsky, Duke Semen Slutsky and Tatar Khan Akhmat. Meanwhile, four dancers share the role of Ivan, Duke Mstislavsky — Anastasia’s father. With the premiere over, the cast can settle to the many months ahead, of delivering the performance. Each staging is unique, involving a different cast, who interact in new ways, and bring their own flavour to the roles. Although dance movements (the Adagio, Arabesque, Fouette and many others) may be technically brilliant, the psy-

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chological portrait varies. Of course, the core idea and mood remains, as planned by the choreographer during rehearsals, but various shades are inevitable, reflecting the performers’ inner world and emotions. On the day of the premiere, the stars were in alignment, showing the performers at the height of their professionalism. All components came together smoothly, without the fragmentation often inevitable in ballet. ‘Anastasia’ explores the theme of love — mutual and undivided, which permits sacrifice and allows challenges to be overcome. I was also struck by the charm and artistic talent of Yuri KovalevMikhail Glinsky. It was impossible not to sympathise with him when Anastasia rejected his feelings. My special compliments are devoted to Takatoshi Machiyama — a soloist who performed the role of Khan Akhmat. His Japanese personality came across strongly, through virtuosic, rapid and extremely light Pasde-Chat jumps and splits in the air. His grand jete en tournant en attitude are enchanting. Mr. Takatoshi, as my fellow journalists agree, has his own style and, in ‘Anastasia’, resembles a dragon flying on the wings of night. His genes, talent and skills are well combined. With special reverence, I approach Alexandra Chizhik. Her Zaira is a real warrior who combines femininity and power. Her twine jumps cannot be confused with anyone’s else; like Takatoshi’s, they are unique, memorable and delivered with ease. Earlier in Sasha’s solo dance career, I found her sincere and charming. Interviewing her, I found her to be easy to chat with, while her talent is original, expressive and artistic. As Zaira, she moves fluidly on stage. I also respect Yekaterina Bulgakova’s remarkable costuming for Anastasia, in dramatic shades of red and delicate pastels. We all recognise her page

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Mikhail Nesterov

Scene from performance

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they’re fabulous! They are European, in contrast with Russian national women’s costume, which reflects the idea of motherhood (being voluminous and wide). Belarusian costume developed under the influence of the West. Look closely and you’ll see

that it’s similar to Western costumes, with a waistcoat, European corset and many skirts. A woman should be equal to a man, standing firmly on her feet, as mistress of the house.” Yekaterina’s costumes feature this idea well.

Mikhail Nesterov

taste and style, which presents noble Anastasia on equal terms with her husband. I think this is Yekaterina’s firm conviction: that Belarusian women of the Middle Ages were not only housewives and mothers but worthy friends of their husbands — able, if necessary, to take up the sword. I’m pleased to quote her mother, the famous fashion designer and artist Inna Bulgakova (www.sb.by/ articles/gran-maysterstva-ny-bulgakavay.html) who says, “Folk is my favourite style. The national Belarusian costume with its century-old traditions is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. It doesn’t matter that I come from Russia. I’ve always been interested in Belarusian culture, and I think I know it completely: like the back of my hand. I’ve travelled all over Belarus, studying its history and costumes, letting all ‘pass through’ my head and my hands. Belarusian folk costumes are not just beautiful:

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Duke Mikhail Glinsky is played by outstanding and charming Yuri Kovalev, an Honoured Artist of Belarus

Folk elements are also present in Alexander Kostyuchenko’s set design, showing warmth, comfort, and quiet resistance as well as the famous Belarusian tolerance — through neutral grey and beige shades. Vertical wings feature faces of saints addressed by the characters (inspired by those from Polotsk’s ancient frescoes at St. Yevfrosiniya Monastery). All elements are drawn from centuries of history and seem to have the patina of time. Even the clouds on the inner curtain (made by video projection) create the illusion of immersion in the past, traveling to ancient Slutsk. The princely city is not shown explicitly, but the atmosphere is well created. The Tatar theme in the sets is created with clever lighting, while invaders’ raids involve sounds of fire, advancing hooves and the clash of metal: a theme carried through intentionally in the powerful music of Vyacheslav Kuznetsov. The maestro has truly created a contrast, compared to his last theatre staging, increasing the orchestra’s percussion to emulate the aggression of the invaders. However, this does not dominate but only occasionally breaks into the music stream. The beauty of the southern Tartar culture is heard in solos by Zaira and Akhmat, and in the Tatar dancing at the wedding of Anastasia and Semen. Named ‘best composer of our time’ in Belarus, Mr. Kuznetsov wrote the music for ‘Anastasia’ in a year and a half. As he admits, it was a pleasure to work with Bulgakov, Troyan, Galanov and Kostyuchenko (with whom he closely liaised). With friendliness, mutual respect and the ability to enjoy each other’s success, the venture has been a clear triumph. It’s not the first time that Mr. Kuznetsov has drawn inspiration from Belarusian history, and the themes he explores are universal: joy and sorrow, suffering love and rejoicing. His lyrical ‘Anastasia’ combines high drama with high art, and the eternal emotions that touch us all. By Valentina Zhdanovich

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Mikhail Nesterov

Irina Yeromkina plays Anastasia

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Yazep Drozdovich has been compared to Leonardo da Vinci, in the wide-ranging interests which influenced his art. In the 1930s, Drozdovich studied astronomic literature at Vilno (Vilnius) University, developing his own theories on how planets interact, and even designed space rockets. His cosmic series of art resulted, drawing on his love of history, archaeology and Belarusian ethnography, creating works of sculpture, painting and literature. He

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wrote diaries and was engaged in teaching. At that time, it was generally believed that all planets were inhabited. As a painter, Drozdovich wished to explore this idea, as we see from the two paintings on show at the National Art Museum of Belarus, from his ‘Life on Saturn’ series. His imaginings are reminiscent of earthly landscapes, but take a leap into the unknown, imagining architecture, nature and geographical

peculiarities. In the corner of each picture, he added a symbol to represent the planet, and gave a detailed description on the reverse. Those who study Yazep Drozdovich’s works call them unique examples of science fiction, showing how creativity can transform knowledge and create a new, unseen world. People’s Artist of Belarus Mai Dantsig created ‘My Ancient and Young City’ in 1972 (permanently on show).

A Impressive in size, it boasts vivid colours and an unusual angle, as if from a bird’s eye view. Dantsig captured central Minsk, in which he was born and grew up, endeavouring to show its history and mood. The painting has great life and movement — among people and vehicles — in contrast to the cold beauty of the capital’s architecture. We see ancient and modern buildings simultaneously. Nemiga Street was a 12th century thoroughfare which took its name from the river (which dried up in the late 19th-early 20th century) and upon which ancient buildings once stood, until they were demolished in the 1970s. The Gothic Great (Cold) Synagogue is portrayed in the right lower corner, near a building under construction. Once primarily inhabited by Jewish families of modest means, it became the site of the Minsk ghetto during WWII. Meanwhile, the 17th century church still stands, shown in Dantsig’s work behind a building under construction, on Kirill and Mefody Street. Initially, this building was the Annunciation Roman Catholic Church and belonged to the Bernardine Monastery. Later, the monastery was transferred to the Orthodox Church and, after WWII, became the Orthodox Holy Spirit Cathedral. The monastery behind this Cathedral can be seen in Mai Dantsig’s picture. Wellpreserved, it was used as housing during the post-war years, before being returned to the Orthodox Church in the early 1990s. The Upper Town, which played a leading role in the life of Minsk until the mid‑20th century, is a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. Dantsig’s picture also shows the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, which is situated in a public garden, surrounded by streets on four sides. Once, Troitskaya Square was located there, and then a Roman Catholic church was built. In the early 19th century, the church burnt down and wasn’t restored. By the mid‑20th century, the square was used as a market-

place but, from 1935-1937, the Opera and Ballet Theatre was constructed. The monumental building is impressive in scale, though is only half the size originally planned. During WWII, the whole square in front of the theatre was under wire, being used as a camp for prisoners-ofwar. Afterwards, it was planted with trees, to become a public garden. Thus, Mai Dantsig’s picture isn’t only artistic but is of historical value, as showing the existence of those architectural monuments which have failed to survive to our present days. Dantsig was embracing the essence of the city; not merely its panoramic landscape with masterpieces of ancient architecture but showing how that architecture changed with time. Undoubtedly, the idea is unique among our pictorial art, combining monumental expressiveness and expression of form, exciting colour solutions and unexpected angles of pictorial thinking. ‘My House’, created in 1972 by Honoured Figure of Arts of Belarus, Vasily Sumarev, is another large-scale work of national painting, showing that the Belarusian artistic school occupied a significant place in the diverse panorama of Soviet art. At the All-Union Exhibition, in Moscow, Mr. Sumarev’s painting immediately attracted a wide range

of spectators. Soon after the event, he joined young artists from various republics of the Soviet Union, contributing to a series printed by Sovetsky Khudozhnik Publishing House: ‘New Names’. His ‘My House’ depicts Minsk from a bird’s eye view, with a red two-storey wooden building occupying central position. Located close to the railway, it was where the artist was born and grew up. Festive in atmosphere, Mr. Sumarev presents the world of his childhood: neighbours celebrating a wedding are depicted at one window, while someone dries fish at another. Meanwhile, in the street, people chat, play games and read. The children represent the artist himself and, everywhere, we see details remembered from his childhood, almost like scenes from a film. There is nothing sorrowful, indicating the purity of childish hopes and aspirations, while the attention of older people provides spiritual warmth. Later, he created several variations on the work. Mr. Sumarev also loved to teach. Immediately after graduating from the Belarusian State Theatre and Art Institute (now the Belarusian State Academy of Arts), he became the head of one of the most famous children’s painting studios, at the Palace of Textile Workers. Those page

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years influenced his own creativity, bringing a theatrical and playful aspect to his work, including elements of folklore, and the traditions of realistic art. Some of the National Museum of Art halls are dedicated to Russian painting. At the turn of the 19th‑20th century, the school was sometimes contradictory in character, searching for harmony and beauty in various ways. Meanwhile,

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a number of artistic associations were founded: the World of Art, the Union of Russian Painters, the Jack of Diamonds and the Blue Rose. One of the most noticeable Russian figures in this period was Boris Kustodiev, who boasted a unique, joyful style. Noisy and hospitable Maslenitsa was one of his favourite themes. Examining his painting by that title, exhibited at the museum, you can feel the atmos-

phere of celebration. There’s so much going on in the scene, and the festive mood perfectly suits the landscape. The city is beautiful and elegant and almost toy-like, filled with bright colours. Observance, irony, and the ability to find joy in the smallest moments, as well as his open attitude determined his creativity. Critics said of him that he was ‘interested in life — vivid, vigorous, diverse and multi-coloured’. In 1910, Moscow hosted the first exhibition of young painters united under the name The Jack of Diamonds, displaying pictures by Alexander Kuprin, Piotr Konchalovsky, Vasily Rozhdestvensky, Robert Falk, Aristarkh Lentulov, Ilya Mashkov, Mikhail Leonov and Natalia Goncharova. The show aroused public indignation and art critics called it ‘some kind of nightmare’, ‘complete delirium’, and a ‘hallucination of the mad’. The artists had brought rage and despair to their art, in their pursuit of truth, but it was said that they’d ‘neglected all laws of creativity’. Meanwhile, the Jack of Diamonds’ artists wanted primarily to return to the primacy of colour, line, expression and composition, with a new vision. Of them all, Ilya Mashkov perhaps most succeeded. The National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus boasts nine works by Ilya Mashkov. Acquired from his family and from private collectors, they are the pride of the Russian painting collection. One of the most outstanding is Mashkov’s ‘Still-life with Melons and Pumpkins’ (1914-1915). Porcelain and glass vases are accompanied by apples and pears, pumpkins, a watermelon, and flowers in clay pots, all spread across rumpled fabric in a blue-green shade. Saturated colours and diversity of form give the work primeval power and expressiveness. It’s as if we see the flowers and fruits for the first time, as ‘prototypes’: a solemn hymn to the great power of Nature. To appreciate these masterpieces, a trip to the museum halls is essential. By Veniamin Mikheev

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etrospective

Contradictory Bergman

he event was named Bergman Weekends and was organised by the Centre of Audio-Visual and Performing Arts — Art Corporation, with support of the Swedish Embassy in Belarus and the Swedish Institute. Simultaneously with the movies, the documentary — devoted to the genius director was screened at Minsk’s cinemas: ‘Bergman’. In a sober and sentimental way it was telling of the master’s controversial personality. In 2018, we are celebrating the centenary of Ingmar Bergman and it seems only the laziest person has failed to mention this. It is noted that, after the release of a new ‘dedication’ — Elvis Presley, Pablo Picasso or, finally, the famous director — the question arises what new could be said when so many words have been proclaimed. It every time appears that there are not enough words in such cases. Not to mention the actualisation of the name, the return to what has changed the world of art (in this case, the art of cinema) and the fact that a documentary is in itself an independent work. The documentary work of Jan Magnusson — who had previously shot ‘Invasion to Bergman’ for the Swedish national television, was called by critic Varietu ‘one of the most honest portraits of the film artist’. It was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

We live in time of a wonderful film event: a retrospective of one of the greatest, most famous and influential directors in the history of cinema — Ingmar Bergman. His 20 restored films have been shown on a large screen in Minsk. Honesty is the film’s key. Without too much enthusiasm, Jan Magnusson shows that, as a brilliant director, Ingmar Bergman was a very controversial personality. Stories about the success of his films and theatrical productions are accompanied by stories that the classic, for example, supported the Nazis and empathised with Germany during War II. It tells us that Bergman was a very bad parent — which he personally admitted — and fickle in love relations. He used his authority to morally destroy a prominent and promising actor in the Royal Drama Theatre: in comments, it’s explained by competition. The documentary takes 1957 as a starting point; that year was very intense for the director. In 1957, Bergman — who suffered from stomach ulcers — released several films, including ‘The Seventh Seal’ and ‘Strawberry Field’; he also staged several performances and experienced may personal events in his private life. This year demonstrates the phenomenal performance of Bergman, shows the direction of his interests, finally and irrevocably makes him a famous author. The film contains scenes from films, archival plans from the film sets or theatrical scenes, an interview with Bergman and his answers to the questions of the documentary, comments made by his colleagues, students, relatives and lovers. Ingmar Bergman’s brother, one of his

women, the actor that suffered from the wrath of the great director are featured. Whatever the contradictions of personality may look like, even with a share of sentimentality, the film gives the viewer the opportunity to solve the eternal dilemma — how to treat someone who creates a great movie but supports the Nazis. Bergman, besides being open for public, appears in touching and funny scenes. He makes us laugh and evokes a simple human disposition. He is organic in his element: on the set; he jokes and looks intently at the scene, he politely and obediently answers the questions of the journalist. Finally, his movies come: ‘The Seventh Seal’, ‘Person’, ‘From Life of Puppets’, ‘Fanny’ and ‘Alexander’, ‘Autumn Sonata’. Each of them features his ‘own world where he describing what it means to be such a person as Ingmar Bergman’. The documentary shows very beautifully that Bergman’s childhood and his family, his relationships with women, his fears, uncontrollable feelings and memories were embodied in each film and that each work is actually about Bergman himself. This, perhaps, lurks one of his numerous secrets. There is probably no other important activity but to plunge into ‘Bergman’. The film has been shown as Minsk’s Pioner, Fаlсоn Club Boutique Cinema and Silvеr Screen Gаlilео. By Irena Kotelovich

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Daniel Yastremsky:

‘Eurovision

is a dream I’ve long been working towards’

Anna Zankovich

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his 14‑year-old Minsker is perhaps the most famous Belarusian ninth-grader today, having won the national round to gain entry to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Happily, he has no time for ego, being happy to chat with his many fans (girls mostly). Daniel’s days are busy, having singing lessons at Studio Plау with teacher Olga Drozdova, as well as dance lessons and English lessons, photo shoots, interviews and concerts… besides his regular school work. How do you find time for everything? After the national selection, my team took a week or two of holiday, but this was followed by a very busy time: interviews, rehearsing a new show, and working on a song (we recently presented its final version and you can hear it on the radio now, as well as on social networks and on popular media services, such as Yandex.Music and iTunes). My weekly schedule tends to be as follows: I attend dance and singing classes daily, then acting classes at the weekend, and sometimes interviews. Of course, I go to school, although I occasionally miss days and don’t have the chance to complete homework. My teachers and the school administration are understanding, helping me as much as they can. When I won the national selection, it coincided with the beginning of the school year, and I received a lot of congratulations from classmates and teachers. Then

everything died down a bit, because I didn’t go to classes and hardly ever had time to talk. Now, apparently, I’ve got used to this schedule and chat more with friends — everyone is supportive. Are you planning to rest before the contest finals, or will you be working through the holidays? Holidays? I don’t even know when they will be [smiling]. Actually, I have free time to go for a walk at the weekend or to play basketball with my friends — in physical education classes, so I don’t feel especially in need of a break. So many people take years to qualify for Eurovision, applying repeatedly, but you seemed to win easily. We’d been preparing for a long time, taking part in ‘New Wave Junior’, and ‘The Voice: Kids’. It was all useful experience. Eurovision has been my childhood dream but I needed to believe in myself. I’ve taken part in many contests, while attending music school (studying piano) and taking singing lessons for five years. In other words, I take this very seriously. Are you planning to make a career of music? Yes, because this is what I really love. I believe this will be my future. I can hardly imagine what else I’d be interested in. To be honest, I can’t even imagine such a situation. Speaking of contests, what did they teach you? My first experience of participation in a major TV project was ‘Ukraine’s Got Talent’. Of course, I was very excited giving my first interviews and observing from backstage. The atmosphere was very pleasant and I didn’t mind waiting for six hours for my turn. Three judges then voted for me and it was the biggest win of the time. There were many participating children so the competition was tough and I failed to reach the next round. However, I felt the support of those professionals and believed in myself. Next, we decided to apply for ‘New Wave Junior’, which was very useful. I learnt so much. Alexander Revzin taught us everything, from how to look at the camera to engaging with the audience, and how to behave on stage — things which can only be learnt in practice. I’m very grateful to have been involved. If I sometimes think of giving up, I remind myself that being an artist isn’t an easy job but the results are worthwhile. The competitive path involves not only victories but also disappointments and failures… If something doesn’t work, it’s really very disappointing. However, I believe that every failure should be perceived as a step towards the next stage: we must learn from it and move on. Even now, my dance and singing teachers refer to past mistakes, to help me avoid them in future. I have the same attitude towards criticism: when someone explains what the problem is, I accept it and try to improve. There’s

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no point in negativity for its own sake. I try to ignore those thoughts. We know you admire Bruno Mars, Dima Bilan and Sergey Lazarev. What about Belarusian singers? We do have some very interesting artists in Belarus. German Titov is known not only as a singer but as a composer — including in Russia. Meanwhile, there’s Kirill Gud — who wrote my contest song, ‘Time’. He’s very cool

If I sometimes think of giving up, I remind myself that being an artist isn’t an easy job but the results are worthwhile and I hope to work with him in future. I admire Teo and Uzari as well. We really do have many talented people. They aren’t my undisputed idols but each has something to teach me. When you won the selection round with your ‘Time’, many people complained about it being another song in English. Do you ever sing in Belarusian? Of course, I do! During a promo tour of our cities, I often sang ‘Kupalinka’, and people joined in. In the future, if there’s a choice, I’d like to sing in different languages, to be interesting to different audiences. By Victoria Teleshuk

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With sadness, we recall the passing of our dear friend Vitaly Busko, who would have turned 66 in November. We first wrote about him and his high-performing farm in the Lyakhovichi District many years ago. In September 1982, he became chairman of Belarus collective farm and then Zherebkovichi (now known as Zherebkovichi JSC).

the leaders, for whom movement was necessary in life. He was unafraid of change, as he believed in people. He knew he had strong personnel, many with higher education: engineers, agronomists, accountants and specialists. They had different characters but a common language was needed with all, as he understood. He realised that he needed to be on good terms with everyone, to bring out the best in them. Without his initiative and enterprise, business would have failed to succeed. He was looking for an approach to allow initiative to emerge, rather than being strangled by rules. Meanwhile, he had to ensure no anarchy could emerge.

How wonderful it would be to speak to Mr. Busko today. Sadly, we’ll have to refer back to his thoughts in 1997, during Perestroika, when he was heading Belarus collective farm. Of course, since that time, much has changed…

Village life I came to Belarus farm from Progress collective farm in the Lyakhovichi District, where I was deputy chairman. Previously, Belarus farm was led by Alexander Bokach — a strong leader and a good person. He later worked as Deputy page

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n the first anniversary of his death, his friends, family and colleagues gathered to remember him, with heartfelt emotion. “He probably has connections up in heaven, just as he did here,” one foreman smiles. “It was December and snowing, and we wanted to close a silo hole but Vitaly told us not to, saying it would remain warm for some time. It wasn’t at all what the forecast predicted, but he seemed to know everything. I’ll never know how he had the answer to every question.” Vi t a l y h a d g r e a t c u r i o s i t y and interest in life, and in people. When our friend — hydrogeologistscientist Vladimir Shimanovich — visited Mr. Busko with us, Vitaly attacked him with questions: how is oil being stored, how is mineral water being extracted, what are brines and why are they useful for industry, why is there so much ferrous metal in Zherebkovichi’s drinking water? Once, he met us with a sly smile — as if saying: well, let’s talk dear journalists… He then asked a question about some unique fish that lives in the waters of the Red Sea. Of course, we couldn’t answer him and he laughed merrily, gaining obvious pleasure from accumulating knowledge and sharing it. His memory was amazing. We were entranced by how he remembered the annual indicators of milk yields, and production volumes of meat, potatoes and cereals… As soon as he started talking, he told you the figures. What sort of chairman was Vitaly Busko? I recall seeing him in an office chair in 1997, as if no time had passed at all. He wore a black leather jacket, had slightly grey hair and an attentive gaze. This was how we met him first, during Perestroika, when the models of managing agricultural enterprises were changing rapidly. It was really a new time, with new business conditions and new problems. Mr. Busko was among

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tired of them and are eager to return to the countryside… Ever yone has the right to express their opinion. As long as I’m chairman, I’ll make decisions and bear responsibility. The same is true of the President: he is responsible. People may ask why we need some to have such great powers but we need stability. I hope it comes quickly, since it will be easier for me to work — and, probably, for all of us…

Without love, happiness is impossible

Vitaly Busko (L) with Alexey Skakun and cosmonaut Piotr Klimuk

Chairman of Brest Regional Executive Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the BSSR. I really appreciate sincerity and justice and believe the worst thing is to punish a person when they aren’t guilty. Any leader has two temptations: to serve those who are ‘above’ in power, or those who work on the land. I realised that everything depends on villagers — no matter how good or bad they are. If they work diligently, then a chairman is praised; if they fail, the leader needs to retire. How can workers be motivated? A manager needs to think about people and create certain conditions. Will a person’s attitude to the land change if they know it will remain theirs for a long time? I don’t know… However, with today’s resources, I can assert confidently that the future relies on developed agricultural production. Collective and state farms need to be reformed in order to change the attitude of people towards work, towards the land, and towards the common good. A lot of sincere, honest people work for us, and our production processes are mostly working smoothly. We manage

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without state subsidies and, during the period of Perestroika, never detained wages. We paid salaries consistently. People see the lazy and the diligent. Everyone, in the end, gets what they deserve. I can say that our villagers support the President in his measures to maintain order and improve production discipline. For our part, we’re endeavouring to make our working capacity grow, so that people live according to their conscience… In Belarusian villages, hundreds and thousands of abandoned houses are being destroyed. These wooden houses are in a good state but their owners have died or left, and their children have moved to cities. There are such houses on our collective farm as well. For a reasonable price, owners are ready to sell such houses, so we bought eight. For the cost of building a new house, you can buy about ten old ones. We need a little more to invest, but we have our own construction team of thirtyfive people, so now we have housing for ten families. I believe that this practice of restoring old houses, as well as their land, can be supported by the state. I recommend that other places try this. Those living in high-rise buildings are

He loved people and supported them strongly. He helped them a great deal; even when it seemed impossible, he found alternative solutions. I remember Vitaly’s wife, Regina, telling me that, during Perestroika, when salaries weren’t paid regularly, Mr. Busko ordered grain given instead of money — at cost price. One day, a mechanic came to his office, almost crying, saying, “Mr. Busko, I’m turning blind. I need to go to Moscow and have an operation. Help me with money. I’ll work later to repay you.” This was a problem but Mr. Busko found a solution. He said, “We’ll give you six cows as a salary. You can sell them and use the money for the operation.” The man’s eyes — and probably his life — were saved as a result. Vitaly died during the sowing season, in late March. The working day of March 30th was in full swing and the machinery was ‘buzzing’ in the fields. However, either by intuition, or because someone told the workers when the funeral procession from Zherebkovichi would pass by, going to the church in the village of Podlesie for the funeral, and then to Lyakhovichi’s cemetery, they turned off the machinery. They came to stand along the road with their hats in their hands, as a motorcade of more than seventy cars passed by. Some grateful residents from the village of Konyukhi came out. They’d seen how their farm developed

after it joined Zherebkovichi. It was Mr. Busko who achieved this, jointly with his colleagues. It became profitable and, as villagers recollect, in 2015, the production co-operative purchased 350 high-breed Merinland sheep from Austria. People loved Mr. Busko and respected him for his sense of justice. He was strict — not only with his subordinates but with his family. Persuading and explanations were not his way. He expected speedy action in response to orders, but also listened to advice from those he loved. His family members weren’t always able to meet his expectations but, when they did, he was extremely proud. I remember him telling me about his twin sons Sasha and Vanya calling him to tell him they’d been milking a cow. They were just eight at the time, and knelt either side, milking simultaneously. Vitaly praised his sons, who are now both involved in farming. They do almost everything imaginable — except for milking! They visit their mother, Regina, most weekends, in turn or together. Sasha comes from Brest (where he lives with his family) and Ivan comes from Minsk. They help around the house and garden but also phone her often as well, sometimes three times a day, asking, “How are you mummy? Is everything all right?” She can hardly ask for more. When I visit my husband’s parents’ home in Yatskovshchina, we always visit Regina. Sometimes, we call ahead, and we love chatting with the brothers, if our visits coincide. Sasha and Vanya are open, respectful and sincere, making them easy to chat to. They’ve clearly been brought up well. Their father was strict, as he himself admitted, but he loved his sons and was proud of them — especially when they both successfully graduated from the Medical Institute. In turn, Regina is tender in her love, with enough kindness for all. She’s a warm and hospitable hostess,

always offering tea. We exchange news and remember Mr. Busko. It’s hard not to mention what we’re all thinking: that we want the door to

trusted them but wanted his own, personal impressions. We recently went to Zherebkovichi, wanting to take a picture of the farm

People loved Vitaly Busko and respected him for his sense of justice. He was strict — not only with his subordinates but with his family. Persuading and explanations were not his way. He expected speedy action in response to orders, but also listened to advice from those he loved open, and for him to appear, saying: ‘Well done! You’re sitting well but why aren’t you singing?’ If he wasn’t too tired, he’d joins us after taking a shower, wearing a fresh shirt. He did often become exhausted, having driven hundreds of kilometres around the huge farm. Vitaly needed to know about everything personally, rather than relying on reports from his deputies and other specialists (there were about seventy). He

but the mist was too thick. However, we visited Regina, and chatted as always.

Strict but fair… That rainy Saturday, it was warm and comfortable in the bright and spacious house: Zherebkovichi central heating was running smoothly. We were alone, as Regina had asked Sasha and Vanya not to come. “I heard that the road police page

Administrative building of Zherebkovichi

беларусь. belarus 2018

are advising us to limit long trips at the moment,” she explained. We thumbed through the family album, looking at photos featuring Mr. Busko with various famous people, who were his good friends. Among them was Belarusian cosmonaut Piotr Klimuk, and heroes of Belarus Piotr Prokopovich (the former National Bank Chairman) and Vasily Revyako (the Chairman of Progress-Vertilishki farm in the Grodno Region with whom Mr. Busko studied at Grodno Agricultural Institute). There was also a shot of Mikhail Myasnikovich (the Chairman of the Council of the Republic). Mr. Busko was friendly with Alexey Skakun — an agricultural scientist, a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and head of Ostromechevo farm in the Brest Region (well-known domestically and abroad). People say that, even now, Vitaly’s grave in Lyakhovichi is covered with fresh flowers. As Regina notes, “Someone grateful brings them.”

page

I cannot forget how, immediately after our acquaintance, after taking us on a tour of the fields and farms, Mr. Busko invited us to his house for lunch. We were vegans then, eating neither meat nor fish. It was often awkward, refusing a hostess’ dishes, and Regina was upset, wanting to treat us, journalists from the capital, with something tasty. We didn’t want to go into why we didn’t eat certain things, or make a fuss. If you can’t be pragmatic, it’s best not to visit other people at all. Mr. Busko taught us a lesson in responsibility, which we recall with gratitude. A couple of years before he passed away, we were visiting my husband’s parents in Yatskovshchina (which is subordinate to Zherebkovichi Village Council). Following tradition, I called Regina and she invited us to dinner. We agreed but were late by twenty or thirty minutes, for some reason only the devil knows! I’ve always been punctual, having been taught by my father, a veteran of World War II,

Mikhail Cherkashin. Mr. Busko scolded us as if we were his family members, saying that Regina had been worrying and that the dinner would be spoiled from waiting. After listening to him, we felt ashamed. I remember thinking how straight talking he was. Vitaly’s honest words caught my conscience and I was sorry that we hadn’t behaved well. Regina ended up acting as peacemaker, assuring me that she wasn’t in the least bit angry with us. Vitaly had been his usual strict self, as I mentioned. However, he was fair. Zherebkovichi JSC is now led by Anton Bukaty. He was born in the area and worked as Mr. Busko’s deputy. People speak well of him but all admit that the strong foundations of the company have been laid by Mr. Busko. New technologies were introduced during Vitaly’s time, a farm in Chashchi b eing e quipp e d w it h t he l atest technologies. It’s his legacy, for which he’ll always be remembered. By Valentina Zhdanovich. Photo by Ivan Zhdanovich.

This is the road to Zherebkovichi Vitaly Busko was driving along almost each day

беларусь. belarus 2018

Photo byÂ Ivan Zhdanovich

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