Belarus (magazine #12 2020) by BELARUS Magazine

MAGAZINE FOR YOU

No. 12 (1047), 2020 Беларусь. Belarus

BELARUS Politics. Economy. Culture

ISSN 2415-394X

IN THE NEW YEAR —

WITH A GOOD MOOD!

Modern technology meets today’s challenges. The time has come for the gyroplane, an ultra-light and inexpensive personal transport. In addition to its versatility and comfort, a gyroplane can have a number of significant and undeniable advantages over aeroplanes and helicopters: — many times cheaper and more fuel-efficient: it runs on petrol, and its fuel consumption is comparable to an ordinary off-the-road vehicle; — one of the safest aircraft. Should anything happen to the gyroplane engine in flight, the unique design and propeller technology allow for a soft landing, saving equipment and, most importantly, passengers’ lives and health; — extremely simple design and control. Unlike a helicopter or an aeroplane, a gyroplane can be navigated without any special training. The production of modern and proven models of gyroplanes with advanced characteristics is launched in Belarus based on the China-Belarus Aviation Technologies and Complexes JV CJSC:

— wide range of horizontal flight speeds — from 50 to 200 km/h; — flight time over 6 hours; — maximum distance up to 800 km — fuel capacity up 80-120 litres (AI‑95 petrol). Our experienced engineers and pilots are always ready to acquaint you with gyroplanes’ technical characteristics and features, as well as to organize demonstration flights and test drives. Contact details: Aviation Technologies and Complexes JV CJSC Marketing and sales and department Теl. + 375 17 591 01 94 info@aerotexsys.by

CONTENTS

Беларусь. Belarus Social and political magazine NEWS.YAVDEX.BY

№ 12 (1047), December, 2020 Published since 1930 Founders: Zviazda Publishing House editorial-and-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.

MULTI-VECTOR APPROACH IS STILL RELEVANT

Integration strategy until 2025

10 4

Collective security — response to challenges From the formal signs of the December summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation it is worth noting that for the first time the CSTO Collective Security Council session was held via videoconference

Top class in the profession

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.

Cellular assistance Institute of Biophysics and Cellular Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus together with the 1st Department of Internal Medicine at the Belarusian State Medical University is conducting a clinical trial of a new method of treating pneumonia caused by COVlD‑19 making use of a biomedical cellular product (BMCP) based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

Convergence of inter-allied interests During the last ten days of November, the Belarus-Russia cooperation agenda prevailed in Minsk. The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Palace of Independence

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

Residency training for doctors will be held in 63 specialties. It is planned to introduce such form of training as residency in the country from 2023

16 WE HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER EACH OTHER

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

In keeping with the best traditions Belarusian National Technical University celebrates 100 years since the foundation of the university

BELTA

The meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which was held in the online format, became the final chord of Belarus’ presidency in the EAEU authorities

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The editorial office does not bear responsibility for contents of advertisements. Signed for printing on 18.12.2020 Offset printing. Coated paper. Format 60х84 1⁄8. Conventional printed sheets 6,51 Accounting published sheets 8,56 Total circulation — 1621 TIMES.BNTU.BY

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Order Republican unitary enterprise "BudMedyyaPrayekt" Licence No. 02330/71 on 23.01.2014 220123 Minsk, Belarus, 13/61 V. Khoruzhey Street

SOLAR ENERGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

On the front page of the cover Photo by Anatoly Kleshchuk

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

Everyone at school wrote an essay on the topic “a hero of our time”, describing those who, in their opinion, are heroes. But has anyone ever wondered how such people actually live? Paralympian Alexander Triput told us about it

The siblings, Rostislav and Kristina Kravchuk from the agricultural town of Brashevichi in the Dragichin District, cannot imagine their lives without the sky — they are passionate about parachuting

24 TASTE OF LIFE Wedding history Couples from different parts of Belarus come to the Kopyl Local History Museum to hold their wedding ceremonies in accordance with ancient rites

They saw a lot of attractiveness there Five reasons to see Belarus through the eyes of Russian writers

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

MUSEUM IS LIKE AN ICEBERG…

Potatoes are eaten, potatoes are admired… Today Belarusians can hardly imagine their daily diet without potatoes: we have already forgotten that our “second bread” is actually an overseas cultivated plant

BELTA

Floating above the clouds

Native words: addresses of Belarusian memory Vytautas Žeimantas is a well-known Lithuanian journalist and writer. He headed the editorial office of an evening city newspaper in Vilnius

Lyudmila Rublevskaya: “My characters manage me” This trinity — Prantish Vyrvich, Bavtramey Lyodnik and their creator Lyudmila Rublevskaya — is already well known in Belarus

Vladimir Korotkevich: The Devil’s Treasure In honour of the 90th anniversary of the birth of the famous Belarusian writer Vladimir Korotkevich, we publish his fairy tale “The Devil’s Treasure”. It was translated into Chinese by Sun Fanqi

51 World in different time dimensions To understand the origins of Vasily Sumarev’s work, one must go back in time almost half a century and visit his studio

What will the stones tell? How to go around all Belarus in a few hours, to visit the Minsk Sea and Lake Naroch, to get to the banks of the Neman and the Western Dvina, to climb the Oshmyanskaya and Novogrudskaya Uplands?

A man whom difficulties are afraid of

MORTAL BOREDOM IS LIKE MENTAL VIRUS

PUPPET-MINSK.COM

MORE IN THE ISSUE 1

CONTEXT

INTEGRATION STRATEGY UNTIL 2025 The meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which was held in the online format, became the final chord of Belarus’ presidency in the EAEU authorities Yes, because of the complicated epidemiological situation, the leaders of Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan had to communicate via videoconference. This time they were joined by the Honorary Chairman of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Moldova Igor Dodon, and Presidents of Uzbekistan and Cuba Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Miguel Diaz-Canel. Looking ahead, Uzbekistan and Cuba were given the status of observer states at the summit. 28 issues were on the agenda of the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union leaders, 24 of which the participants considered in an enlarged format. Another four items on the agenda (strategic directions of Eurasian integration until 2025, protective anti-dumping and countervailing measures, extension of tariff benefits in the aviation sphere and the issue of ECE staffing) were discussed internally in a limited circle. The agenda of the meeting also included a cluster on international cooperation of the EAEU. The President of Belarus explained what it was all about: — We have to make a decision on the launch of the EAEU Free Trade Zone Agreement with Serbia, as well as decide on the starting date of the preparation of the Free Trade Zone Agreement with Iran. These are landmark documents that confirm the interest in our union in the world. Therefore we propose the commission to intensify negotiations with other states as well. According to Alexander Lukashenko, it is time to get down to work on Article 41 of the EAEU Treaty, namely, on the joint development of exports of goods and services produced in the member states. But first Alexander Lukashenko summarized some results of Belarus’ presidency in the EAEU, stressing that the goals set by Minsk in its programme are universal and beneficial for all the participants: — The pandemic has revealed as a litmus test the essence of economic unions and integration associations. It convinced in practice even the most skeptical that only together we can be stronger. At the same time, the coronavirus also revealed the true cost of not implementing the agreements reached earlier.

Still, there have been positive developments, and a lot of them. This year, for example, work on removing barriers and reducing exemptions and restrictions in the internal market of the Union has intensified markedly. Steps have been taken in the transition to a single policy in agriculture, energy, transport, and the expansion of the use of national currencies in mutual settlements. Decisions have been taken on technical regulation. A digital agenda is being promoted, a system of corresponding transport corridors is being formed, and employment of citizens of EAEU member states is being promoted. On the external front, everything looks good too. Trade agreements with China, Vietnam and Iran are in place. Negotiations on trade agreements with Egypt, Israel and India are continuing. Preparations are underway to start talks on liberalization of trade regimes with Indonesia and Mongolia. Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that the potential of the EAEU should be used not only for the development of the domestic market, but also for the promotion of agricultural products in third countries. Minsk also initiated the issue of strengthening the empowerment of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Not everything outlined in the program of the Belarusian presidency has been implemented due to objective circumstances, Alexander Lukashenko noted. It took much longer than a year to implement some of the measures. However, joint work on the proposed areas will continue next year as well. Moreover, the objectives of the Belarusian presidency, aimed at strengthening and development of the EAEU, are largely in keeping with the ideas of Kazakhstan, which has taken up the torch of the chairman of the Union next year. According to chairman of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich, the development strategy of the EAEU until 2025 is a historic event within the framework of integration processes. It is a document that will make it possible to address many issues in a new way. The Treaty, which was signed in 2014, in Mikhail Myasnikovich’s opinion, has largely exhausted its kinetic energy, and certainly there is a need for better approaches. A special novelty of the strategic areas of integration until 2025 is that they relate more to people — education, healthcare, movement of citizens. By Vasily Kharitonov

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

COLLECTIVE SECURITY — RESPONSE TO CHALLENGES

What were discussed and agreed upon by the Heads of State at the CSTO Summit?

From the formal signs of the December summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation it is worth noting that for the first time the CSTO Collective Security Council session was held via videoconference. This, however, did not affect the business character of communication between the participants or the outcome of the summit. In Alexander Lukashenko’s speech the key message to his colleagues was made in this way: — Today, taking into account the dynamics of challenges and threats, we are required not only to maintain current interaction, but also to increase it. In today’s environment, alliance is gaining more and more meaning. It is worth recalling that the CSTO includes Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The leaders of these countries devoted considerable time to discussing the situation in the region and the world as a whole. After all, the setting of priorities in the activities of the military and political bloc for the coming period depends on it. In his speech, the President of Belarus formulated new challenges and threats that require maximum rapprochement of the allies’ positions. In particular, Alexander Lukashenko expressed concern over the growing US and NATO military presence near the western borders of the CSTO. First of all, it deals with the deployment of an additional American contingent in Poland and the plans to create new military infrastructure facilities: — We clearly see an increase in systematic military activities in this country and the Baltic States. At the same time, not only the national interests of Belarus are in the centre of military activity. NATO’s statements on the development of a new Strategic Concept should also be considered in this context. The COVID‑19 pandemic has not only complicated the problems of international cooperation, but has also provoked the escalation of social conflicts. Mass disturbances have spread all over the USA and European countries. And this is no longer a spontaneous manifestation of discontent, said Alexander Lukashenko: — The international order is sliding into the so-called managed chaos. This is a well-thought-out and well-directed activity of global players who are sometimes inconsiderate of anything, even the interests of their own peoples. In the conditions of growing pressure from outside, the CSTO must show its ability to work in the political, military and information dimensions, to be ahead of schedule, the

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

President of Belarus believes. And Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that the basis for unity is economic cooperation: — If we contact in the economy, as we have set this goal within the Eurasian Economic Union, we will survive. If we don’t (the President of Russia said very well to that point) — we will be taken apart and used one by one. In this regard, the President of Belarus stressed the need for a personal meeting of the CSTO heads of state in an extended format and, taking into account the lessons learned from recent events, to discuss the prospects for joint action. WHAT WAS DISCUSSED BY THE HEADS OF OTHER COUNTRIES AT THE SESSION OF THE CSTO COLLECTIVE SECURITY COUNCIL? Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: — The situation faced by Belarus could not but cause our concern. We are really worried about the interference from outside, i. e. financial, information, political support… It is necessary to continue acting in solidarity, defending the memory of the Great Victory, of the heroism of our peoples who saved the world from Nazism at the cost of huge and irreplaceable sacrifices. This is not only a tribute to those who fought against the Nazis but also a clear signal to the entire international community of the cohesion of our member states and their determination to stand together for peace and security.

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia: — For several weeks already, combat actions (in NagornoKarabakh. — Ed.) have been stopped, and peacekeepers have been deployed in the conflict zone. But today we still have a number of urgent tasks. This is the issue of exchanging prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees, bodies of the dead, and finding out the fate of the missing.

development of the situation in Afghanistan. All these circumstances require an adequate response on our part. In particular, by taking the necessary measures to strengthen the protection of the southern borders of the CSTO… Following today’s meeting, the chairmanship of the CSTO will be assumed by the Republic of Tajikistan. We will continue the line aimed at strengthening cooperation to ensure safe and secure life for our peoples.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan: — The situation in the area of regional and global security is aggravated by the growing conflict potential in interstate relations. The COVID‑19 pandemic has caused widespread upheaval in the

DOCUMENTS THAT WERE ADOPTED BY THE HEADS OF STATE AT THE END OF THE SESSION: ♦ Statement on the formation of a fair and sustainable world order. The CSTO stressed that the international community must completely get rid of confrontational thinking, the desire for monopoly and domination in international affairs. Scenarios and recipes based on any kind of national exclusivity, including those based on hatred and outright hostility, are absolutely unacceptable. In this regard, the heads of state called for a meeting of authorised representatives of CSTO, CIS, SCO, OSCE, NATO and EU to discuss the security strategies adopted in these organisations as a first step towards creating an indivisible space. safety. ♦CSTO Collective Security Council Declaration. It says: “Countries will increase their participation in global efforts to ensure peace and security, consistently advocating the settlement of international and regional conflicts, primarily armed conflicts, exclusively by peaceful, political and diplomatic means within the framework of internationally recognized negotiation formats, based on universally recognized principles and norms of international law without selectivity.” ♦ Plan for Development of Military Cooperation in 2021– 2025. ♦ CSTO Anti-Drug Strategy for the years 2021–2025. Decisions relating to logistics and medical support for the Collective Forces, additional measures to improve the system of staff training for government bodies of CSTO member states.

world. The situation is also complicated by the growth of mutual sanctions, restrictions and growing trade wars. The growth of new global challenges and threats related to extremism and terrorism, drug trafficking, cyber-security and illegal migration cause our concern. In these conditions, the role of the CSTO as an effective mechanism for interstate cooperation for the sake of strengthening peace, security and stability in a vast region is significantly increasing. Talant Mamytov, Acting President of Kyrgyzstan: — In the expiring year, we celebrated together the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory in the 2nd World War. It was this Victory that united our peoples and showed us the way forward. Having suffered enormous human and material losses in that terrible war, it is our peoples who today know the value of friendship, mutual assistance and unity. This is evidenced by the interaction of our countries within the framework of the CSTO and other authoritative organisations. Common history, high allied spirit and mutual support are the main components of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan: — Various terrorist and extremist forces have not abandoned their destructive intentions and continue to be active in various regions of the world, including in the immediate vicinity of the CSTO zone of responsibility. In this context, we are following with concern the negative

Competently Stanislav Zas, CSTO Secretary General: — A number of documents important for our activities in various areas have been approved. These are several documents on the development of our peacekeeping potential and further steps to be taken towards joining the UN peacekeeping activities. Including amendments to the basic agreement: the heads of state agreed that we will continue to apply the scheme with the UN through the coordinating organization, through the coordinating state of the CSTO, which will be engaged on behalf of the organization in inclusion of our peacekeeping capabilities in UN operations. The composition of the peacekeeping force has been clarified. In particular, there is a great demand for medical units in peacekeeping operations. By Vladimir Velikhov

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

ACCENTS

MULTI-VECTOR APPROACH IS STILL RELEVANT The situation in the world and around Belarus, relations with neighbours and allies, the response to the Western sanctions and the main tasks for diplomats tomorrow. Key points were highlighted at the meeting with the President on the issues of Belarus’ foreign policy.

ndoubtedly, every sovereign state is guided by its national interests in building partnership relations within the international community. This is not an axiom, this is a foreign policy reality. But mutually beneficial relations between countries necessarily have their own principles. It is not for nothing that Alexander Lukashenko made such a clarification at the meeting: — Belarus is always ready to cooperate with those who adhere to the principles of mutual respect, sincerity and decency. Speaking about the international situation, the President of Belarus drew attention to the fact that the leap year gave the world a lot of troubles. It is not only the pandemic and related economic problems. — Once again, there was a flare-up within the territory of the former Soviet Union. This time it was in Nagorno-Karabakh. The heated conflict between our close partners, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is over now, is likely to unfold in the diplomatic area, — Alexander Lukashenko suggested. Besides, the wars in the Middle East and North Africa, where Belarus

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

has its own economic interests, have not stopped. Against the background of the restrictive measures against the coronavirus and the Islamist terrorist attacks, the protest mood in European countries is growing. The international situation is also uncertain due to the presidential election in the United States, which leaves a question mark in regard to the future policy of Washington. But the most important thing for us now is the situation around Belarus,

said the Head of State. In other words, our country is always ready to be friends and co-operate with those who respect it, consider it and its interests. Alas, some of our so-called partners have suddenly turned out to be unprepared to work under such conditions, Alexander Lukashenko said. I am referring to those Western countries, with which Belarus has been gradually and persistently building mutually beneficial contacts in recent years, and especially to the closest neighbours, Poland and Lithuania.

— Their stance on Belarus can derail, if not all, but much of what has been achieved, — said the Head of State. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that sanctions had been imposed against Belarus again. What will be the subsequent response? A little later, in an interview with journalists, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei answered this question in detail. In particular, he expressed regret that some partners decided to impose restrictions against Belarus, to expand the personal sanctions lists: — Of course, we can’t leave such things with no response. That is why on our part the corresponding sanctions lists have been expanded to include people from all EU countries. Vladimir Makei also said that it had been suggested to suspend the work of the Belarus-EU Coordination Group, in the format of which various issues of cooperation were discussed, including in the area of human rights protection: — We have never refused to discuss sensitive issues. But today we see that these issues are totally politicized. Therefore, there is no point in continuing the human rights dialogue with the EU. We are suspending this dialogue. We see that there are also attempts to politicize the implementation of a number of crossregional infrastructure projects within the

Eastern Partnership initiative. That is why we decided to downgrade Belarus’ participation in the initiative to an expert level. Vladimir Makei stressed that the Belarusian side had always been and would be determined to remove the sanctions rhetoric from the agenda. But the actions of our partners leave us no choice but to respond adequately to the unfriendly steps with regard to Belarus. — We didn’t initiate these steps. We are only adequately responding to those negative statements and concrete actions of our Western partners, which are associated with the interference in the internal affairs of Belarus. Under the unprecedented external pressure, the support provided to Belarus by its traditional allies — Russia, China and other countries — is especially valuable, once again confirming the immutable principle of friends in need. But, apparently, not everyone is happy with the allied nature of Belarus-Russia relations. Hence the criticism of Belarus for its multi-vector policy, which has been recently voiced in some media, Russian ones in particular. Alexander Lukashenko was surprised by it: — I do not quite understand why certain forces in the Russian Federation have risen up against our multi-vector policy. We would like them to say what claims they have against us in this respect. We have clearly stated that our closest ally, the country and the people dear to us is Russia and the Russians. Let me stress it once again: we have never turned away from Russia. Never! Indeed, even at the times when there were certain disputes between the countries, Belarus always acted with respect. Today, however, some people are trying to turn everything upside down and present the multi-vector policy of Belarus as a U‑turn from Russia. One can’t think of a more ridiculous thesis. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that today half of the export of Belarusian goods is sold on foreign markets away from Russia and this export should be secured politically and diplomatically: — That’s the whole multi-vector approach. It is an axiom. Any state pursues such a policy. We have to pursue a multivector policy in view of the fact that we

BELTA

ACCENTS

At the meeting on foreign policy issues

are in the center of Europe, we are a sovereign, independent state, and our economy and the welfare of our people are forcing us to do this. The President asked the leadership of the Foreign Ministry and the Government to make this point of view clear to our foreign partners. Minister Vladimir Makei also touched upon multi-vector policy: — States like Belarus, which are medium in scale and potential, have to take into account their interests in all directions. Russia is unambiguously our main strategic partner and ally, just like China. But it does not mean that we must focus only on two areas, regardless of the reproaches for trying to pursue a multi-vector policy. How can we refuse to cooperate in mutually beneficial areas with beyond the arc countries, European countries, where our export is over 50 percent? Russia is our main partner and ally, we intend to further deepen our cooperation, but we will not abandon other vectors. As for the global economy, it is now being severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The damage caused is yet to be assessed. But the main thing is clear already now: a crisis is always followed by an upturn. — Therefore, we should catch up in the moment of the world production recovery and use the situation wisely, — remarked the President and underlined that the policy of maintaining comprehensive international contacts remains unchanged:

— We should talk to everyone who wants to talk to us and respect us. The key to our economic security is to preserve traditional markets and develop new ones. We need to understand whether the approaches to export diversification, which we have already decided on, should be adjusted. Alexander Lukashenko also reminded about the need to make the best use of the good crop gathered this year and wanted to know about the outlook for foreign economic activity in general. The Head of State pointed out that foreign economic activities were among the priorities of the Foreign Ministry: — The main thing for a diplomat outside our country — an ambassador and an embassy — is to promote our goods on all markets. Export is the main thing for the work of the diplomatic corps. By the way, Belarus is ready to revise many beneficial for the EU projects and spheres of relations. This is said in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry. According to the Foreign Ministry, the unilateral aggressive narrowing of the field of dialogue with neighboring Belarus is a historic mistake of the European bureaucracy. It is stated that the Belarusian side considers a responsible, balanced and nonconfrontational approach on the part of the EU as the only promising path. In this case, Belarus will be ready to continue and develop dialogue on an equal and mutually respectful basis. By Alexsey Fedotov

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

PARTNERSHIP

CONVERGENCE OF INTER-ALLIED INTERESTS

with each other: — We should talk about strengthening and intensifying our relations, not about some kind of reset… I want you to understand and know that we are ready for this. Sergey Lavrov is rightly called a coryphaeus of Russian diplomacy. And meetings with him are always productive, as noted the President of Belarus. First of all, it is a good opportunity to “make sure we are on the same page” in foreign policy. BELTA

he purpose of Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Minsk was to participate in a joint meeting of the boards of the Foreign Ministries of Belarus and Russia. However, as is often the case with visits of this level, the information space was immediately flooded with various speculations. Alexander Lukashenko made it clear: the two countries can’t avoid close relations

During the last ten days of November, the Belarus-Russia cooperation agenda prevailed in Minsk. The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Palace of Independence

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Palace of Independence in Minsk

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

PARTNERSHIP — You have to move more in the international arena in this crazy world and your position and viewpoint are very relevant and educative for us, — the Head of State said. And of course, the agenda of the meeting included topical issues of bilateral cooperation. The meeting showed that both Belarus and Russia display mutual aspiration to strengthen their ties. In any case, Alexander Lukashenko said the following when addressing the Russian minister: — We would like to have not just good neighbourly relations, we would like to have very close, brotherly relations with the Russian Federation. I have not said anything new. I have always talked about this. They just do not always want to emphasize and repeat it, especially in Russia. Apparently, it was not to someone’s advantage but time has shown that we cannot avoid very close and friendly relations. The President expressed his confidence that the Russian leadership would prefer to have such relations today. Judging by the reciprocal words of Sergey Lavrov, it is so. First of all the minister conveyed Vladimir Putin’s greetings to Alexander Lukashenko: — He confirmed everything you have agreed on before, especially in Sochi. We have a full coincidence of interest in strengthening relations. You can call it various ways, but we have the same goal: to move forward for the mutual benefit of our peoples, our countries and the Union State. Sergey Lavrov reminded that Alexander Lukashenko had come up with a number of initiatives important for the Belarusian society and the Russian government was interested in “making these initiatives happen”: — If we can do something to support them, we are always open for it. Of course, international issues were also the focus of attention during the meeting. In particular, the President of Belarus positively assessed Russia’s actions and role in the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over NagornoKarabakh: — You have done a great job. Obviously, there are certain inevitable costs: there will be criticism and lots of other things. But the fact is that to a large extent thanks to Russia the conflict was stopped, that people are not dying there, and that we are at the beginning of our long way to the normalization of relations in the Caucasus, which is a very positive and good sign. Alexander Lukashenko said that in the beginning he was very deeply involved in these problems, had discussed them with the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan more than once, and he was very pleased that the crisis had been resolved in the way the parties had agreed at the meeting in St Petersburg. At the same time, the President of Belarus stressed that there are a lot of challenges and conflicts in the world today: — And you should know that we are always ready to go our way (if Russia wishes so) alongside Russia, overcoming these problems, starting with pandemics and ending with all sorts of claims, primarily those of the United States of America, for sole domina-

As evidenced by the facts In 2019, trade turnover between Belarus and Russia totaled 35.5 billion US dollars. In the first nine months of 2020, mutual trade turnover declined slightly due to fuel and energy products (minus 3.1 billion US dollars). Russia now accounts for about 48 percent of the total value of Belarusian foreign trade in goods. In addition, in 2019, Russia accounted for 4.5 billion US dollars, or 45.1 percent of total foreign investment attracted to Belarus. The share of direct investments from the Russian Federation in the total volume of attracted direct investments was nearly 40 percent. tion in the world. We have never welcomed this and will never welcome it. Sergey Lavrov mentioned these challenges later in his conversation with journalists. In particular, the diplomat stressed the obviousness of attempts by Western partners to interfere in domestic policy: — We see, frankly speaking, a hostile attitude towards both Russia and Belarus. We see attempts to actively influence domestic processes in our countries. As a matter of fact, Western leaders do not conceal it. The documents “on the promotion of democracy” have been adopted; there is already one on Russia. Now there is a similar document on the Republic of Belarus in the US Congress. However, said the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, “we take the situation calmly”: — We have a union state, we have something to defend ourselves with, how to defend our independence. This is a common position of our presidents and governments. Sergey Lavrov also said the course for strengthening bilateral ties in all areas had been reaffirmed during the meeting. They discussed foreign political cooperation and the implementation of the programme of joint foreign policy actions for 2020–2021, as well as the activity of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the forthcoming presidency of Belarus in the CIS. By Alexander Pimenov

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

BENEFITS OF DIPLOMACY

WE HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER EACH OTHER

For the second time within the past few weeks, the Palace of Independence in Minsk welcomed new foreign ambassadors The ceremony of presenting credentials has a special diplomatic and political symbolism — it is a confirmation of the willingness of foreign states to fruitfully and effectively cooperate on various issues with the leadership of the host country of their plenipotentiaries. This time the Ambassadors of China, Israel, Bangladesh, Cambodia, the Order of Malta, Namibia and Pakistan participated in the event. By and large, via them Alexander Lukashenko addressed the entire international community: — Our country is very much interested in non-conflict and effective cooperation with other countries. In doing so, we certainly exclude any political and economic pressure. In its dialogue with partners, Belarus adheres to the principles of openness, decency and equal rights. Upon arrival in a new country of destination, the first thing any diplomat does is to familiarize themselves with the specifics of the current moment. It can be assessed in different ways, but Alexander Lukashenko focused on the main point: — The Belarusians, as has always been the case in the past, have proved their ability to defend the country’s sovereignty, traditional values and territorial integrity. I have said many times and will repeat it again: only our people have the right to decide how the Belarusian state will develop in the future. Citizens of the country have a right to determine their future and the future of their state, the President believes. — It is important for us to hear everyone’s opinion. All constructive proposals will be put on the agenda of the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, — Alexander Lukashenko said. The uneasy history of Belarus, its current geopolitical position and economic structure dictate the need to cooperate with everyone. Through its initiatives in the international arena, the country has proved its ability to make a constructive contribution to solving various problems. But new challenges have appeared. Against the background of the fight against the pandemics, the global economy is engaged in increasingly fierce competition. Long-standing conflicts still remain. Therefore, a strategy to effectively counter the challenges and threats is needed more than ever. It is much more productive to do it together, Alexander Lukashenko is convinced. Addressing the diplomats, the President underlined that Belarus is a reliable partner for every state and has a lot to offer for cooperation. For its part, Minsk hopes that the heads of diplomatic

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

missions will give their leaders impartial and objective information about the life in the country. — We are ready to help you in this. I trust that your experience and professionalism will provide a solid foundation for constructive cooperation and its practical results will not be long in coming, — the President concluded. The ceremony of presenting credentials is also an opportunity to synchronize our watches and discuss the prospects for further cooperation with the countries that the ambassadors represent. To begin with, the President addressed the heads of diplomatic missions from the rostrum. During the official part, he said the following: About China — The nature of our relations is all-round strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. And it speaks for itself. This philosophy permeates all the areas of our interaction. Belarus has been actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative of China. Today this is a really working project, which yields concrete results, and we are contributing and will contribute to its integration processes in the Eurasian Economic Union in every possible way. The China-Belarus Industrial Park “Great Stone” is one of the illustrative examples of our cooperation. About seventy foreign companies are already working there. High-tech companies. I would like to highlight two very important projects for Belarus that were launched this year — the construction of the National Football Stadium and an international-standard swimming pool funded by the People’s Republic of China. Belarusian exports to China continues to grow. According to our estimates, for the first time this year supplies of agricultural products to China will reach two hundred million dollars. And I am sure it is only the beginning. About Israel — Belarus and Israel are bound by centuries-old friendship and the common tragedy of the bloodiest war in the history of mankind. Our countries are staunch proponents of the absolute inadmissibility of revising the results of that war and of glorifying Nazism. By the way, in the near future our Parliament will be considering a draft law on the inadmissibility of the glorification of Nazism in Belarus. Many countries, especially those close to us, are nowadays guilty of the so-called glorification. All for nothing! I am convinced that no merits to the Motherland can justify crimes against humanity! We look forward to developing cooperation in the fields of information technology, biotechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

BELTA

BENEFITS OF DIPLOMACY

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Xie Xiaoyong

We have a lot to offer you. We know your level of development. About the Order of Malta — Our country has considerable experience in bilateral cooperation with the Order of Malta, we highly appreciate its great humanitarian aid, supply of medical equipment and training of Belarusian doctors. The Order actively cooperates with Belarus in international efforts to combat human trafficking. About Pakistan — We attach special importance to our cooperation with Pakistan. Minsk and Islamabad have made a real breakthrough in all areas of interaction after opening their diplomatic missions. Today we must wisely use the existing achievements by focusing on industry, agriculture, education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The main thing is not to stop. We have to move forward despite all kinds of cataclysms here and there. That is why we are looking forward to an official visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. We have talked to him about it quite recently. About Bangladesh — The Republic of Belarus regards the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as an important and promising partner. Our interaction in the trade and economic sphere has intensified in recent years, and the opportunities here are great. We see good prospects for cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceutics and education. Our countries are also close in their positions on major issues on the international agenda. About Cambodia — This year, we have celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia. During this time, a legal framework and working bodies for cooperation have been formed. The time has come to actively switch over to specific projects. We are ready for this. Technological capabilities of Belarus, which you are aware of, can largely meet the needs of the rapidly developing economy of Cambodia. In addition to supplies of machinery and equipment, our enterprises are ready to intensify industrial cooperation, to participate in the development of transport and energy infrastructure of Cambodia, in the extraction of minerals. We are ready to set up the enterprises you need and train the workforce for them.

About Namibia — We are far from fulfilling the full potential of our cooperation with Namibia in Africa. Today, we are only at the beginning of our journey to shape our relations. I am absolutely convinced that we need to focus on achieving practical results in the long term. We should focus on increasing mutual trade and implementation of joint projects in the energy and agriculture sectors. …Communication with the heads of diplomatic missions was not limited to the official part and continued in a more informal setting. By the way, Alexander Lukashenko intends to meet personally (and soon) with Xi Jinping, whose best wishes were given to the President by the new China’s Ambassador to Belarus. — The time has come to talk about substantial, very important issues that concern not only Belarus, but China in particular, — the diplomat said in reply. It was said: Xie Xiaoyong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus — Political mutual trust between our states is deepening. The countries support each other on key issues. Cooperation in economy, science and technology, culture and education has also yielded very fruitful results. Since the outbreak of the COVID‑19 pandemic, we have been providing each other with assistance and support, sharing experience and supplying emergency antiepidemic drugs. This fully reflects the fraternal, friendly relations between our peoples. Alex Goldman-Shaiman, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Belarus — As ambassador, I intend to strengthen the infrastructure on which we will continue to build relations between Israel and Belarus across all spectrums. This includes promotion of cultural relations, our common heritage, memory of the Holocaust, which we want to strengthen. And, of course, cooperation in the field of economy — increase of goods turnover and tourism. With the visa-free regime, the countries are interested in increasing the number of tourists in both directions. Israelis have a great interest in visiting the places where Shimon Peres, our Prime Minister and President, was born and lived, or Eliezer Ben‑Yehuda, who revived the Jewish language. Sajjad Haider Khan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Belarus: — Belarus is a beautiful country. Our cooperation has strengthened over the past five years — since Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Pakistan in April 2015. And our relations have been developing particularly intensively over the last year. It touches on all areas. We have about eighty agreements — in industry, high technology, manufacturing, agriculture. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has accepted Alexander Lukashenko’s invitation to visit Belarus. The visit will take place as soon as the situation permits. By Oleg Bogomazov

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

BELTA

ANNIVERSARY

IN KEEPING WITH THE BEST TRADITIONS Belarusian National Technical University celebrates 100 years since the foundation of the university

he President of Belarus has congratulated the staff of BNTU on the 100th anniversary. — The history of the famous polytechnic is inseparably linked to the formation of our independent state. During all these years the staff and numerous graduates of your institution have made a big contribution to the development of the economy. A number of achievements of BNTU scientists and specialists have won international recognition, — the Head of State said. Today the university is the leading Belarusian educational institution in training highly-qualified engineering personnel for priority industries of the national economy, in introducing scientific developments and creating innovative enterprises. — I am convinced that by fostering the best traditions of the national institution of higher education the staff of the university will continue to faithfully serve the Fatherland, successfully addressing one of the most important tasks: fostering the scientific and technical elite of the country, — the President said in his letter of birthday greetings. In honour of the 100th anniversary of the university, a number of exhibits of the Belarusian motor vehicles designed by the graduates of BNTU are on display at the main building of the university. A modern electric bus and a MAZ‑303 passenger bus of the latest generation… The leading Belarusian technical alma mater has a lot to be proud of. Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that BNTU has become the pioneer of engineering thought and creativity in the country. Belarusian engineers can create real miracles in the face of fierce global competition:

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

— Everything we have seen here is produced in the world in huge quantities. The fact that you have withstood this competition and produce the goods needed on the world market is worth a lot, — the President said while visiting the university on the day of the anniversary. Alexander Lukashenko presented the Belarusian National Technical University with the Order of Labor Glory. By the way, for the first time in the history of independent Belarus. The head of state stressed with a smile: it won’t be worn by the rector on breast, it will appear on the banner of the university. Officially speaking, the educational establishment was honoured with the order for considerable contribution to the development of engineering and technical education, research in the field of mechanical engineering, power engineering, construction and architecture, implementation of new modern technologies, training of scientific personnel and in connection with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the university. Certainly, it was impossible to do without personal awards. To those who, as the President put it figuratively, had made this university, who maintained the image of this university at the highest level, who had led it to the elite of world universities. Here is what the awardees of BNTU said. Dean of the BNTU Department of Architecture, Doctor of Architecture, Professor Armen Sardarov: — Every year about 120 specialists graduate from out department, while the competition for admission is four or five candidates for one student position. And today we can safely say that a national architectural school, which continues the traditions established by the previous generations of architects, has been created in Belarus with the participation of our students.

EFFECT OF COOPERATION tute (as BNTU was then called) in 1973 and rose through all the ranks to the head one of the leading chairs of the Automobile and Transport Department, which he has been heading for a quarter of a century. For this time, 3 thousand specialists in the development, production and operation of tractor wheeled machinery have been trained in its classrooms. — Today, our graduate can be immediately involved in the production process, — Professor Boykov assesses the achieved. — The motto of our chair is to be ahead of time. This applies to all five majoring specialties, including such areas as electric vehicles and vehicle design. No less challenging tasks lie ahead: creating not only new types of electric buses, but also contactless trolleybuses and even trams. Electric tractors will also emerge, fitting into precision farming technology.

Professor Nikolay Kuleshov, Head of the Chair of Laser Technology, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, is one of the most quoted scholars in his field in the world And in BNTU the chair has been a leader in student achievement and research activities for 20 years. It is not surprising that the students trained by this teaching staff are worth their weight in gold in the Belarusian industry. — Over 20 years, we have trained about 500 engineers, — says Nikolay Kuleshov proudly. — They have designed and produced the Belarusian spacecraft, the most advanced products of such renowned companies as Peleng JSC and BelOMO. There are also examples when our former students set up innovative enterprises, recognized today in the world. By the way, our laser centre is universally recognized. Vladimir Boykov, Doctor of Engineering, laureate of the State Prize of Belarus, graduated from the Belarusian Polytechnic Insti-

By Alexander Pimenov

SOLAR ENERGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

During the opening ceremony of the 7th Belarus-China Youth Innovation Forum “New Horizons — 2020” Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology of Belarus Alexander Shumilin noted that educated and enterprising young people, i. e. students, post graduate students, young scientists, are actively working on innovative development of Belarus and China, participate in joint projects, contribute to the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. We purposefully promote interaction between young innovators of Belarus and China, support a number of events for this purpose, including the forum “New Horizons — 2020” and the BelarusChina Youth Competition of Research and Innovation Projects, — Alexander Shumilin said. In particular, the number of joint Belarus-China projects in 2019–2020 has increased by one quarter compared to the previous two-year cycle. In addition, their topics have become more diverse. Effective projects cover electronics, information and communication technologies, mechanics and engineering, energy efficiency and energy saving, transport systems, materials science, metallurgy, biotechnology, chemistry, agricultural technologies. By the way, the joint projects carried out earlier have yielded practical results. For example, highly efficient equipment and technological processes developed jointly with the Harbin Polytechnic University, are used in the Scientific and Technology Park of BNTU “Polytechnic” and in Polymedtech LLC in the production of medical devices for health and healthcare, cardiology, vascular surgery and dentistry. As a result of a joint project between the BNTU Technopark “Polytechnik” and Lanzhou University of

TIMES.BNTU.BY

Young scientists from Belarus and China are actively involved in joint innovation projects

Technology, schemes and modes of cold supersonic sputtering with maximum technical and economic performance have been developed. They are used in execution of orders from industrial enterprises in Belarus. Belarus and China are also actively cooperating in the development of innovation infrastructure entities. An enterprise has already been established to produce solar energy equipment at the China-Belarus Industrial Park “Great Stone”, as well as a training and testing centre at the joint Institute of BSU and Dalian Polytechnic University. At the Great Stone the work on the establishment of the China-Belarus Cooperation Center of Transformation of Scientific and Technical Achievements is going on. The forum included a presentation of youth research and innovation projects in the field of Industry 4.0, mechanics and new materials, digital socialization, agricultural technology and food security. By Nadezhda Nikolayeva

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

INNOVATION

TOP CLASS IN THE PROFESSION

and Practical Centre “Cardiology”, neurosurgery by the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, dentistry by the Vitebsk Medical University, transplantology by

which the qualification of a general practitioner is awarded. To become a highly qualified specialist, however, you need to do postgraduate residency training. This may take between one and five years, depending on the special field. After that, a high-class specialist gets admission to the profession and can provide medical care using high-tech methods. Rector of the Gomel State Medical University Igor Stoma is convinced that longer and deeper training in high-tech specialties is extremely necessary. “Not

BSMU, diagnostic research by the Gomel Medical University. The educational centres of all the RSPCs will also be involved in this process in various areas. “We strongly believe that cardiac surgeons, neurosurgeons, transplantologists, dentists are the specialists who should receive serious training in the residency,” added Olga Kalyupanova. According to her, in many countries basic medical education includes six years of training at a medical university, after

only key specialists with high level of competence will be trained, but this is also a kind of “upbringing” of a modern doctor,” he noted. “In the first year young people are often immature, including morally. And even after receiving a diploma of higher medical education, young professionals need to grow, stay and develop in the professional environment. The residency is exactly the one that helps to form a better-trained specialist and a more mature person.”

To raise a professional “Clinical internship will be changed to residency. But this is not the same,” noted Olga Kalyupanova. According to her, the rapid development of the sphere of medical aid requires from the healthcare services to create a modern system for training of specialists. This is about the mastering of high-tech interventions, further improvement and enhancement of the quality of training, taking into account the current state and prospects of development of healthcare, integration with the world system of medical education. The residency will be aimed at individual postgraduate training of medical specialists, enhancement of their professional knowledge and improvement of their practical skills, mastering of advanced medical technologies and training of highly qualified competitive specialists for provision of high-tech medical care. Clinical residency training is currently provided in 63 specialties. It is envisaged that they will all remain in the residency, but different terms of training will be envisaged. This issue is still under discussion, as the head of the main department pointed out. Each educational institution will be responsible for certain specialties. For example, the training in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology will be provided by Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, cardiology and cardiosurgery by the Republican Scientific

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

BELTA

Residency training for doctors will be held in 63 specialties. This was reported by Olga Kalyupanova, Head of the Main Department for Organisational and Personnel Work of the Ministry of Health, during a round table discussion on the issue of improving the quality of medical education. It is planned to introduce such form of training as residency in the country from 2023.

INNOVATION

Learning on simulators

Clinic not only for patients A modern simulation centre will also appear at the Grodno State Medical University. According to its rector Elena Kratkova, the premises are now being reconstructed, the work should be completed by the end of December, and it is planned to open in early January. Elena Krkakova also said that a new academic building of the Grodno State Medical University is to be built next to the university clinic. There is a decision to allocate a plot of land and the design work has started. After the construction of the new building, all clinical chairs will not be located in the wards as they are now, but will be moved BELTA

In particular, the Belarusian State Medical University plans to build a new laboratory simulation complex by 2025. This was announced by the rector of the university, Sergey Rubnikovich. He says it will create a full-fledged European centre where Belarusian students and young specialists will be trained in narrow scienceintensive practical areas, as well as provide educational services for export. BSMU already has a simulation laboratory of quite a high level, which allows conducting classes in various areas — therapy, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency conditions. “I believe this is the basis, the foundation for training our students. But if we want to go further and form highly qualified narrow specialists, we need highly professional equipment,

practice-oriented training for students and young professionals will ultimately ensure the necessary quality of highly qualified care for the population, the rector noted.

certain simulation devices that would simulate clinical conditions and diseases as much as possible,” said the rector, adding that such centres are available abroad, including in Russia. At the same time, as Sergey Rubnikovich pointed out, educational courses do not necessarily have to last months, they can be short-term. For example, an orthopaedist traumatologist may need a couple of days at the most to practice some manipulation on a knee or shoulder joint. A good level of

to a separate building. Students will be able to visit clinical departments as the need requires without disrupting the treatment process. As for the university clinic, this pilot project allows students to practice their academic knowledge while still studying at the university. Elena Kratkova believes that simulation centres are necessary, but it is very important to teach a student to have contact with the patient, to develop skills in collecting anamnesis, examining

and performing diagnostics. Thanks to the university clinic, this is possible. In practically one year (this project started in 2019), a lot has been achieved. Much work has been done to develop the regulatory framework, without which the existence of a university clinic would be impossible. Clinical departments have been set up and have started to work. Plans for scientific, educational and therapeutic work are being drawn up. Measures are being taken to improve the material and technical base. Establishment of a university clinic is, by the way, in the plans of the Vitebsk Medical University. “It is a global trend,” stresses Anatoly Schastny, Rector of the Vitebsk State Medical University. “In my opinion, the activity of the university clinic is very important and in demand, because the university will function without discontinuing practical work. It will treat, teach and do research, all on its own premises, with its own staff and budget. Moreover, it is a new opportunity for the export of educational services.” Vitebsk State Medical University is also planning to create a research and production training centre. According to Anatoly Schastny, pre-project preparation for the construction of the centre, which will occupy 7.5 thousand square meters, is under way. It will implement the message of the President, which he delivered at the Second Congress of Scientists: — University 3.0: is for the scientific discoveries which will be made with the help of this centre, to quickly make their way to implementation. Anatoly Schastny added that university science required certain transformations and financial support. The rector is confident that it will result in be a very quick and significant return, both in terms of developing science and training experienced personnel. “We are used to talking more about academic science, but the contribution of university science is no less. In addition, it is linked to a very urgent issue — the training of university staff. Only through scientific work and the defense of theses can we upgrade university personnel and award scientific degrees — associate professors, doctors of science,” he explained. By Nadezhda Nikolayeva

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

ACHIEVEMENTS

CELLULAR ASSISTANCE Institute of Biophysics and Cellular Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus together with the 1st Department of Internal Medicine at the Belarusian State Medical University is conducting a clinical trial of a new method of treating pneumonia caused by COVlD‑19 making use of a biomedical cellular product (BMCP) based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) bility of their immunomodulatory properties. In addition to olfactory epithelium, cells from adipose tissue, umbilical cord, placenta, and bone marrow can also be used in therapy. Before being injected into the patient’s body, MSCs are tested for compliance with all the criteria stated by law: sterility, high viability, and authenticity. The dose of biomedical cellular product is calculated on the basis of the standard, i. e.

built up in the laboratory. The novelty of the approach lies not only in the sources of the MSCs, but also in combining cultures from three different donors into a biomedical cell product that is injected into the patient intravenously. The cells from different people, although similar in their properties, still differ slightly in their ability to suppress inflammation, viability, and so on. Their pooling (aggregation) ensures the sta-

1 million cells per 1 kg of the patient’s body weight. The therapy with mesenchymal stem cells supplements the drug therapy. It is aimed at reducing the inflammatory reaction in the lungs (90 % of all MSCs are deposited there), activation of the body’s own resources, and restoration of damaged alveoli and vessels. — Our target group is patients with severe pneumonia (lung damage from 50 %) with

WWW.NITA-FARM.RU

— The technology we offer has unique features, — says Natalya Antonevich, Head of the Laboratory of Immunology and Cell Biophysics of the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. — Fragments of nasal mucosa are taken from he a lt hy donor-volunte ers under local anesthesia, then mesenchymal stem cells are extracted and their biomass is

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

COVLD‑19, whom the prescribed treatment doesn’t help, who have a low index of saturation (blood oxygen saturation), potential candidates for artificial lung ventilation, — says Natalya Antonevich. — It is important to identify the stage at which medications fail and the saturation drops, to determine the dosage, the frequency of MSC injections, and the interval between them. We strive to prevent a serious continuation of the disease and prevent the patient from needing ALV. We started the project back in the summer. With the arrival of the second wave of coronavirus, an experimental therapy was started at the 10th clinic in the capital. Informed consent for such treatment was given by patients aged from 45 to 73: all were overweight and had arterial hypertension. No side effects, allergic reactions or fever were noted in any of the patients and all had some improvement. One of the participants of the clinical trial has already been injected with the biomedical material twice. In the treatment of new patients, the experts plan to increase the frequency of application.

No side effects Scientists verified the effectiveness of pooled MSCs during

a preliminary project to develop a new therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus, a severe autoimmune disease. In almost all of the patients involved in the experiment, there was a marked improvement. — Unfortunately, even today, medical professionals meet with prejudice against stem cell therapy on the part of some people, — Natalya Antonevich points out. — This is a misconception. Side effects have been reported in the past when embryonic stem cells have been used in a number of countries, which can actually transform into tumour cells. All of the methods with the use of MSCs are completely safe. The cells are obtained from adult volunteers. Today the countr y has already approved more than 30 guidelines for application of MSC-assisted therapy in various pathologies — multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, damage of mucous membranes of skin, chronic stenosis of the larynx, long-lasting nonhealing ulcers in diabetes, chronic infections, injuries, etc. In all cases, thanks to the use of MSCs, certain progress is observed, it slows down the course of the disease, reduces severe symptoms, and in some diseases even leads to complete recovery. By Olga Poklonskaya

ANNA ZANKOVICH

OWN WAY

A MAN WHOM DIFFICULTIES ARE AFRAID OF Everyone at school wrote an essay on the topic “a hero of our time”, describing those who, in their opinion, are heroes. But has anyone ever wondered how such people actually live? Paralympian Alexander Triput told us about it. Of course, he hardly considers himself to be a hero of his time. However, the athlete is an example of heroism and the fact that a person can do anything. And this is not just a beautiful metaphor or a motivational phrase.

Sport has always been in Alexander’s life, despite his congenital nearsightedness, through which he attended a specialized school. First it was 400‑metre dash, and then the javelin swiftly “flew” into the life of the Grodno boy. That’s how he found his main occupation, i. e. javelin throwing. In 2000, at his first Paralympic Games in Sydney, he won silver in javelin throw and fourth place in combined events. Two years later, due to an injury, both eyes retina detached and he lost eyesight in the left eye. However, Alexander returned

from the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens with gold in javelin throw and silver in combined events. But his return was marred by crutches — like the ancient Greek hero Achilles, Alexander’s foot failed and broke during the competition. In 2013, Alexander went through an ordeal after which another man would have given up. Another, but not him. Multiple comminuted fractures of the spine with damage to the spinal cord and a neck fracture caused by a fall from the fourth floor, radically changed Alexander’s life.

What followed was a story worthy of a superhero movie script. A series of hospitals, crowds of doctors, nine operations… And three years later, in 2016, Alexander went to the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. From there he returned with a bronze medal, confirming that this man can do anything.

“We will overcome anything” Today, Alexander Triput is preparing for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, postponed to

2021. “I was very upset when the Paralympic Games were postponed. All the athletes were in a depressed mood. Whatever one may say, the Olympics give a special feeling, a completely different approach to work. After Rio, I was resentful that I had finished only third; I could have competed for silver, or even gold. I want to prove to myself that I can be a champion at the main events, all athletes strive for that. Right now I’m slowly gaining my form and working hard. While there were no competitions, I decided to take

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

OWN WAY

a completely different technique and specifics of throwing. Immediately after the injury I tried to throw a javelin the way I did before, but I had to retrain.” Alexander Triput believes that one should quit sports at the height of their career. “Over time, new athletes will

“Many thanks to everyone” Alexander’s friends help him not to lose his courage and strength of spirit. He even jokes that he could write a whole book about them. But just before a competition he ANNA ZANKOVICH

bad concussion, I competed quite well. At that time our five-man team very was close to each other. Each could have been first or fifth. There was no drawing. I, as the first in the ranking, was supposed to be the last to compete, but I was placed first. I had to take all six tries at once. That made me hesitate, I was worried, or else I could have thrown farther.” T he 2 0 1 6 Par a ly mpi c Games winner Manolis Stephanoudakis of Greece threw javelin 29 metres. Alexander Triput has surpassed that record in four years: “In competitions I have already thrown both 29 and 30 metres. ThereBELTA

a medical check-up. It turned out that detachment of the retina had started in the right eye. Fortunately, we noticed it in time and fixed it, thanks to the doctors from Voka. Some previous shoulder and rib injuries also made their presence felt. Doctors even advised me not to move my left arm at all. But for me it’s impossible, I had to go through a lot of medical manipulations. It would seem, there is no competition, but there are more injuries than when there are. I hope we will overcome all that. I am even working with a psychologist in order not to lose my psychological form and fighting spirit, so necessary on the eve of the Paralympic Games,” says Alexander. The psychological and physical fitness is affected most of all by the absence of competitions. During them, Alexander feels completely on his own ground and even serious injuries which he got during the tournament do not interfere. In February 2019, at the World Games for people with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates, he won and set a European record having a concussion: “I came to the World Championships with a cast — I had broken my leg. It is not easy to compete with a cast, when you sit on the chair, your sensations and movements change. But I got used to it somehow. And during training I dropped the barbell and got a concussion. I did not understand why I was vomiting and felt dizzy. I didn’t have a doctor nearby whom I could consult. A few days later, I met a friend from Austria and she brought me a doctor, who diagnosed it. But even with a pretty

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

Deputy Prime Minister Natalya Kochanova hands over a flag to the flag-bearer of the Belarusian delegation Alexander Triput. 2016.

fore, it will be more interesting in Tokyo than it was in Rio. The Paralympic sport used to be called a festival sport, but now we have already confirmed our high athletic level. I once offered healthy athletes to throw a javelin from my chair. They didn’t put their legs up so they couldn’t lean on them and tried not to help themselves with their bodies. No one even came close to my figure. I have

appear. And if I do not show results, they will soon forget about me, it often happens. And those who left at the height are remembered for a long time. And I want to live, to rest. I will never be able to live without sport, even if I rest, I still want to train. That is why the question of ending my career is still open. Let’s see how it all works out in Tokyo,” says Alexander.

likes to be alone, to get in the mood. You have to be careful not to forget anything — there is no place for trifles in Paralympic sport. By the way, he has friends who also help him with equipment. For example, his friendship with the handball players made Alexander a pioneer. To throw a javelin the athletes need to hold on to a special pole with one hand. To prevent his hand from slipping, Alexander smears it with a special mastic that is used by handball players. “If you strain the hand holding the pole, the hand that throws a javelin also gets strained. With mastic, the fingers are glued and the hand is not tense, respectively the other hand is more relaxed. By the way, this is my know-how; I haven’t seen any mastic on my competitors yet,” the athlete said. A comfortable chair for the competition also came courtesy of his friends. The administration of Grodno helped.

OWN WAY According to Alexander, no one else has such a chair. It is light, comfortable and can be quickly folded into a special case, which is very important for constant travelling. All the more so, as it was made entirely in accordance with Alexander’s needs. His home town helps the athlete in organizing training camps and, in general, Alexander says it is always ready to help. “I’m lucky to have people around me. I can always count on them. The National Paralympic Committee and the National Olympic Training Centre for Paralympic and Deaflympic Sports support me. The Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Sports takes care of my health. I have good relations with the Belarusian Athletics Federation. The former chairperson Vadim Devyatovsky often helped me with my equipment and at all the competitions it was obvious that I was representing the country. My javelins are different from those of healthy athletes, they weigh 600 grams and are less hard. Ivan Tikhon, the current President of the Athletics Federation, is not only my friend but also my countryman. I hope everything will go well with him in Tokyo. When I come to Minsk I train at the arena of the Republican Track and Field Athletics Centre, they also help me and I live at the Sport-Time hotel, where they help me a little to set things straight,” said the interlocutor. Alexander admits that he would like to draw more attention to Paralympic sport in the country. In the United Arab Emirates and Germany, there are sports clubs where Paralympic athletes have everything

they need and can work all year round. It would be great if something similar appeared in Belarus. “I can’t complain about not being supported. Thanks a lot to everybody. The only thing I would like is to participate in the competitions more often. It’s good that I have sponsors, McDonald’s pays for my travel and accommodation at the competitions. I save the government money and at

people think that because I have sponsors and I compete money and various preferences fall on me. Of course, it is unpleasant. I don’t like to complain, but… People don’t understand what I go through every day. I have had bad eyesight since birth and the wheelchair is not much fun either. Many thanks to the doctors and my character that I have not given up and continue to live. But I can’t understand

the same time I represent the country, raising its prestige with my successes. But compared to healthy athletes we compete very little. That’s why I wish the Paralympics would have more competitions,” the athlete shares his thoughts. By his example Alexander Triput proves that there’s always a way for a heroic deed in life, even if it’s just to live and do one’s own business. But he is cool about it: “I am very pleased when people support me and worry about me. People write me a lot of letters, send me cards, especially children, and I keep them all. But, on the other hand, there are a lot of jealous people. For some reason some

what there is to be jealous of. I try not to pay attention to this kind of attention and focus on my friends, family, who are always there for me. And, of course, I am getting ready for the Paralympics, now all my thoughts are about it,” admits Alexander.

“I can’t live without sport” In his spare time, which is now very scarce, the athlete likes to walk around town, see something new. But even with his leisure time, he fulfils an important social role — he draws attention to the problem of a barrier-free environment. Ac-

cording to him, it is improving every year: “An example of a barrier-free environment is the Dinamo Stadium. However, when it was opened after the restoration, there was a problem with a lift — you had to keep pressing the button to make it move. Another time the lift did not work at all, but now everything is fine. The track and field arena in the Belarusian State University of Physical Education is convenient for me. In Minsk there are still many places where barrier-free environment needs to be improved, but I can see progress. In my home town Grodno the entire centre is equipped with ramps and low kerbs, which makes me very happy. In addition to walking around the city and meeting with friends, Alexander enjoys literature, prefers audiobooks. By the way, the athlete considers “People in the Swamp” by Ivan Melezh to be his favourite book. Alexander’s story poses only one question — where did he get so much motivation and strength? The answer, like everything associated with this man, is strong: “I have been in sport for 22 years and I can no longer live without it. I am always drawn to physical activity. For me, even going out of town and turning the wheels of my chair is already physical activity. No athlete wants to be an underpart, everyone strives to be the best. But at the same time you should not forget to cooperate with doctors and take care of your health. Thank God, we have more people who are able to support and not ruin. And so my motivation, perhaps not the main one, is to help people either with advice or just by example.” By Valeriya Stetsko

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

HOBBIES

FLOATING ABOVE THE CLOUDS The siblings, Rostislav and Kristina Kravchuk from the agricultural town of Brashevichi in the Dragichin District, cannot imagine their lives without the sky — they are passionate about parachuting. First the young man came to the DOSAAF Brest airclub five years ago, and after a while he brought his sister there. Now these brave people live in Brest and every weekend they come to the airfield to do what they love to do. — I have always been an active guy, I used to do hiking, mountaineering. At some point, I decided to try something different, — Rastislav said. — While studying at university, I heard from a friend that there is an organisation where you can try parachuting. Every year, before the start of the season, people aged 15–19 are recruited there for training. It is a budget-funded programme, which allows you to study and jump for free. At that time, however, the recruitment was over and I had another year to wait. Thus, I was only enrolled in the flying club at the age of 18. The training lasted for three months, after which, according to the programme, I was to do three skydives, and the instructor was to decide whether I was worth staying in sports or wasn’t. I remember that at first there were about 40 people in our group, but after the selection only I remained. The first height, which novice skydivers win alone, is 800 metres. It is growing gradually and it becomes more and more difficult for an athlete to control the body while flying. According to the manner of separation from the plane, stability the fall the instructor decides whether to make you use a parachute of another type. First the athletes use “Junior” type, then “D1–5U”, after it they use “P1‑U”, and then the sports “Wing”.

The last of these has other characteristics: it flies much faster both vertically and horizontally, it opens faster and allows you to make various interesting elements. By the way, Rostislav started to use it three years ago. — The speed of free fall is 180–200 kilometres per hour. I perform jumps both alone and with a partner. As of today there are over 400 of jumps. The most memorable is from a height of 3.500 metres. Words fail me to express the sensations that I experienced during the flight. It is like floating above the clouds. Back then, the jump lasted almost a minute, and usually it is no longer than 20 seconds. While flying I primarily think about safety because you always have to control the altitude. It’s interesting that it was only after the first 200 jumps, that fear of altitude or something else disappeared, and now there is no nervousness at all. It’s OK to be afraid, but you shouldn’t let that feeling overwhelm you. In addition to Brest, Rostislav skydived at competitions and demonstrations in Malarita, Zhabinka, Kobrin, Kamenetz, Rogachev, Bobruisk and Vitebsk. Experienced athletes can skydive five or six times a day. However, for a beginner it is no more than one time.

In flight - Rostislav Kravchuk

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

HOBBIES — Frankly speaking, I have never seen anyone who did not like skydiving. If you have already decided to do it, don’t think about anything, just act. My sister and I did not even tell our parents about our first jumps. They did not understand why we had such an unsafe hobby. We also have a younger sister, Masha, and Kristina and I have recently given her a birthday present — her first skydiving in tandem with the instructor. It was a surprise, she was very pleased with it. In general, skydiving is always a surge of positive emotions. When we do new things with other athletes, we rejoice like children. In addition, you will find like-minded people in the flying club, so our team is like one big family. I don’t think we should give this up. I feel uncomfortable when, due to certain circumstances, I have to miss skydiving. My longest break is six months. It was very difficult, I missed the sky. ♦♦♦ Twenty-year-old Kristina started parachuting three years ago. Just like her brother while studying at university (she is now a primary school teacher). — He offered to jump in pairs with an instructor, I agreed. My first mastered altitude was 2.750 metres. The feelings were incredible. It’s no wonder that everyone who goes to the airclub wants to jump a lot and often. If the weather is good and there is fuel for the plane — fly, land, run fast to set up a parachute for the next takeoff. Today I have over 120 jumps, usually from the altitude of 1.200–1.400 metres. You can get higher to feel the air flow, to relax. The highest altitude for a single jump is 1.700 metres. As far as I remember: the sun is at the top, the clouds look like cotton wool, and you seem to be falling into them. Each jump is individual, different from the previous ones, says our dialogue partner. The most memorable skydive that brought a lot of adrenaline happened when Kristina started to use the sports parachute “Wing”. — My legs were shaking heavily at the height, and when I landed, everything was shaking with happiness, my voice was trembling. And on the ground, the team were shouting “Hurrah! She has made it! She did not jump alone, but with partners — such a group of two or three people is called a formation. In it, one can perform different combinations of elements: approach and move away from each other, hold hands, then simultaneously open the parachutes and immediately rise higher. The sensations are incredible, because you have to control your body as well as feel your partner, be in tandem, moreover, “enter” the wind flow, trust it, which sometimes is not easy. Kristina admits that there is always nervousness during jumps, sometimes even masters of sports feel nervous, after all their sport is extreme. — I am such a panicker! But even if you have problems opening the main parachute at height, thank God, there is a spare one that I have not yet had to use. Before a jump, skydivers undergo mandatory preliminary training: we go through a “detachment” (a certain set of actions in an extreme situation that can happen in the sky), and pack parachutes. After all, our sport is about safety, and only after it about the quality and quan-

Kristina Kravchuk after landing

tity of jumps. For example, on the ground we talk and work out how we will act if the dome of the parachute does not come out of the backpack. In general, landing near a ditch or forest is a normal situation. There have also been cases of top cords twisting, but that’s not a problem. By the way, various championships and regional competitions are held quite often, and all of them are very interesting for us, athletes. Of recent ones, it was the participation in the Parachute Sport and All-Around Cup of the Republic of Belarus. Every year, skydivers undergo a medical check-up, some do not get permission to continue due to health problems and therefore leave the sport. It is also necessary to pass tests and regulations before each season. To the girls who are in the minority in the airclub, the same requirements are applied as to the boys. — I have never been afraid of not passing a medical examination because I have very good health. In general, I am a fast girl. Before parachuting, like my brother, I did hiking and went to various clubs. I like to try something new. To be honest, every year I decide whether to stay in this sport or not, because I often feel nervous, that’s my temperament. Well, you have to devote a lot of personal time to this sport. If there’s a family, I think it’ll be harder, but on the other hand, I miss jumping too, this sport gives me self-belief, confidence and the awareness that I manage to do something not everyone is capable of. By Darya Shlapakova Photo by Autor.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

WONDER PRODUCT PHENOMENON

POTATOES ARE EATEN, POTATOES ARE ADMIRED… Today Belarusians can hardly imagine their daily diet without potatoes: we have already forgotten that our “second bread” is actually an overseas cultivated plant. However, it has been “living” on Belarusian land for so long (or rather, in it) that we consider it to be our native. But this is not what we are going to talk about. It’s about how the modern world is changing its views on the most seemingly unchangeable things. For example, potatoes.

This year, plant breeders of the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on potato growing will submit to the State Variety Testing Commission a new variety of potatoes with dark purple flesh. — The variety has passed a full scheme of selection tests. Now it will have to pass state variety trials on 12 plots in different regions of Belarus. And if it shows good results, it will be included in the State Register, — says Georgy Piskun, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Chief Researcher of the Potato Breeding Department.

And next year, says Georgy Piskun, the breeders are planning to submit red and pink flesh varieties to the State Committee.

All purple The goal of breeders is not to please eaters who are bored with monotony. Potatoes with coloured flesh are valued not only for their unusual appearance. — The high content of antioxidants is the main value of the new variety, — says the interlocutor. — The champion among vegetables in terms of antioxidants is broccoli. Our new variety of po-

Head of the potato microclonal propagation laboratory Vladimir Antipovich and junior researcher Nina Shurkova

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

tatoes contains the same amount of these substances as this type of cabbage. The potatoes with coloured flesh are a favourite among western dieticians. Today, in many countries around the world, a trend in breeding and cooking is potato varieties in which the tuber flesh is brightly coloured: purple, pink, blue or red. The colour of the “second bread” acquires new useful properties as well. It has been proven that eating coloured potatoes has a positive effect on cardiac function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents the development of oncology and significantly improves eye-sight. In addition, coloured potatoes have a high insulin content, which means they are useful for people with diabetes. The more intense the colouring of potato flesh is, the more antioxidants and insulin the tubers contain. As for aging. In South Korea, rejuvenating cosmetics and fat-free chips made from coloured –flesh potatoes have been produced for about ten years. Well, about “bored eaters”, too. Georgy Ivanovich says that the taste of coloured potatoes does not differ from that of ordinary potatoes and they are cooked in the same way. But in terms of appearance, the simplest dishes, e. g. mashed potatoes or fried potatoes with lard made from purple tubers look incredible. — For the colour to remain bright, when boiling potatoes you need to pour sault in cold water, and when frying, you

WONDER PRODUCT PHENOMENON need to salt the potatoes before it is crispy. And it’s best to bake them in the oven in their jackets, — says the expert. The new variety has no name yet. — It is not as simple as it seems, — says the scientist. — The fact is that the names of cultivated plant varieties must not be repeated throughout the world. This is why many domestic potato varieties (and not only) have Belarusian names.

The food of the poor? Or the rich? Coloured potatoes are not an invention of the third millennium. They have grown since ancient times in the Peruvian Andes. Conquistadors brought only the plants with light-flesh tubers from America: Europeans considered the rest to be inedible. And only now, on the wave of fashion for healthy eating, European breeders have remembered about the coloured potatoes. The history of eating potatoes began thousands of years ago: American Indians worshipped this plant and believed that it was animate. In 1565, the potatoes were first brought to Britain, but the British did not like them. The doctors also warned: “Tragic consequences await those who eat potatoes.” Potato dishes began to appear on the tables of European aristocrats in the 1610s and 1620s. In France potato was grown as an ornamental plant: bouquets of its flowers were given to ladies. It is generally believed that the poorer the population, the more potatoes they eat. But that was not the case at the beginning of the triumphant procession of this root vegetable across Europe. And it is not so today. First of all, scientists found out that potato starch is necessary for the brain to work effectively and it even increases mental capabilities. Secondly, modern varieties of potatoes (in particular with coloured flesh) are actively included by nutritionists in healthy diets. The first doctor to talk about the benefits of potatoes was military pharmacist Antoine Parmentier. Today in France, a monument to this scientist bears the in-

scription: “To the Benefactor of Humanity”: during the Revolution of 1789, the potato saved people from hunger. Potatoes were brought to Russia by Peter the Great at the end of the 18th century. In the 19th century, fried potatoes were served at balls, they were called “potatoes a la Pushkin”. A legend has it that the great poet peeled and fried these fashionable vegetables with his own hands for his friends. On the lands of the Commonwealth of Poland, the potato appeared around the same time as in Russia. And it was also promoted by a crownwearer, i. e. it was introduced to his subjects by King Jan Sobieski. The first Belarusian potato varieties appeared in the 1860s. The history of the Republican Potato Production Centre dates back to 1929. For almost a century domestic breeders have zoned about 120 varieties.

It’s impossible to cook porridge from foreign varieties Every year the Institute submits 1–2 potato varieties to the State Commission. In Soviet times there were fewer. There was a lot of competition, says Georgy Ivanovich. But there is still a lot of competition today. — The State Register of Belarus has 152 varieties of potatoes, 47 of which are of Belarusian breed. Dozens of foreign potato varieties are constantly on the state test, — explained the interlocutor. — From foreign varieties I like German ones of the firm “Noriko”. They taste similar to our Belarusian potatoes. But in general, foreign varieties can’t be boiled soft. New potato varieties appear through hybridization — to put it simply, pollination. Of the 100.000 samples with a new genotype, only one remains after nine years of breeding trials. It must stand state tests in 58 indicators at 12 sites in various soil and climatic zones of our country. In particular, the new variety must show

yields of at least 60–70 tonnes per hectare. Another indicator: when digging out the plant, large, medium and small tubers must be evenly represented. If it is abrupt, e. g. only large and small potatoes, without medium, if the tubers are irregularly shaped, the variety will be rejected. By Alexandra Aetselevich

Rainbow in the plate And finally, a few recipes of purple potatoes, so that you don’t get confused when you have a chance to cook this novelty.

Warm salad “Listopad” Peel 750 g of purple flesh jacket potatoes, cut them into cubes and put them in a salad bowl. Add 200 g of finely sliced sweet red pepper and celery root, 2 tbsp of finely chopped greens (dill, parsley and green onions). Mix gently. Dress salad with sauce: 1/2 glass of olive oil, 1/4 glass of prepared mustard, 3 tsp. of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp. of salt, 1/4 tsp. of black freshly ground pepper.

Mashed potatoes “Holiday at Sea” Peel 6 large purple potatoes and boil them in salt water until soft. Coloured potatoes shouldn’t be overcooked, otherwise the bright colour will disappear. 20 minutes after the water starts boiling is enough. Melt 1–2 tsp of butter in 100 ml of milk and mix with finely sliced green onions. Add 3 tsp. of finely grated cheese, salt and ground black pepper to taste. Whip the potatoes with a mixer, pour the milk and butter, onion and cheese and mix again.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

TASTE OF LIFE Popular dietitian Irina Yablonskaya does not count calories and lets one eat whatever they want… except sugar. She firmly believes it is possible to be perfectly happy without it.

I immediately asked Irina what happiness is. After all, the story of her personal life is known, as they say, to the whole internet. Irina Yablonskaya is the former editor of the popular Pingouin magazine. It was one of the “rare Belarusian” glossy editions, as they said about it at that time. The socialite herself, as she was used to being called in the media sphere, had an “elite French school” and a gold medal behind her, a higher medical education and work in the ambulance service, a career in radio and a successful media business. “I love to learn,” Irina tells about herself, displaying a seemingly endless number of diplomas and certificates on her blog. A general practitioner, dietician, psychotherapist, anti-aging doctor… This multidisciplinary knowledge and extensive experience

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

helped Irina to understand one day that an active social life was not for her. It turned out that it is much more important and pleasant for Irina to see the happy smiles of her patients, to whom she has helped to get a new zest for life. I wanted to talk to someone who knows “everything and a little more” about quality nutrition and, consequently, quality life. So, our conversation with Dr. Yablonskaya is about this and a little about personal matters. — Happiness is when all members of my family are healthy, — answers Irina the first question without hesitation. — Is there a link between nutrition and feelings of happiness? — Of course there is! The main thing is to have the right diet.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE — Are you talking about protein-fatcarbohydrates, counting calories? — The whole world has long understood that counting calories is bad for you. It’s a pathway to anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating. My patients don’t count calories, but they eat whatever I tell them to. — How do you diagnose them first? — I rely on bio-impedancemetry — it’s a method of diagnosing body composition. This device, in my opinion, gives the most accurate measurements: it shows the percentage of body fat, muscle, bone, mineral, intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, the basic metabolism. It is not difficult to undergo diagnostics, such machines are available at medical centres in all major cities of Belarus. But for those who live in the district centre, I advise to buy a smart scale. Of course, they do not reflect so clearly the composition of the body, but when there is no alternative — it is quite suitable. I have one of these too. I also pay attention to biochemical blood tests. Some suffer from protein deficiency, some just don’t digest it, some don’t eat enough, some don’t exercise enough… In general, I need the results of a complete examination to draw the right conclusion. — Are there any foods which are directly responsible for the production of happiness hormones? — Yes, there are a number of foods that contribute to the production of serotonin. For example, turkey, chocolate, bananas… But this is very relative. If there’s a disorder in the body with serotonin intake, one can’t get by with foods alone. There is also a link to vitamin D deficiency, which everyone is now “screaming” about. However, a lot of people are deficient in it. For example, I have hardly three percent of patients with a normal content of this vitamin. Besides, sometimes it’s not absorbed.

Social life of a popular "glossy" editor - in the past

— Is it possible to eat whatever you want, whenever you want, thus getting pleasure from life, without falling ill and experiencing physical discomfort? — In simple terms, it’s called intuitive eating. And I don’t support it. Often the body deceives us. It is not right to eat what you want and when you want. On the contrary, more often than not, it signals a deficit condition or even a serious illness. — I found a recipe for a green smoothie on your public Instagram account. Its composition confused me somewhat. It was the first time I’d heard the names of some of the products, and I suspect they don’t come cheap. Proper, quality nutrition is not a story for the poor? — I don’t know what impressed you so much about that recipe. Let’s analyse it. Coriander is a well-known product. Kale is cabbage. Yesterday I bought a whole sack of it at the Komarovsky market in Minsk and paid for all 8 rubles. Is it expensive? I don’t think so. I’ll make a salad out of it, add some to smoothie, Bake in the oven for 35 minutes at 200 degrees. Serve with tea, kefir, coffee or berry juice. and use some for fermentation. Next, bok The cookbook “From Pepper to Heart” was pubchoy is also a kind of imported cabbage, lished in 2017. It took three and a half years to one kilo costs 8 rubles and for me it is write it. The dress Irina Yablonskaya is wearing on enough for a fortnight: I stew it, bake it… the cover consists of two thousand chilli peppers Kiwi, cucumber – everyone knows it. Baby and was submitted by the author of the book to the asparagus may be available not to everyone, Guinness Book of World Records committee. The but we don’t need much of it. Chia seeds author of the outfit is designer Natalya Potkina. are common in our area. Chlorella — yes, “The book contains 120 of my author’s recipes it’s not cheap, but a jar lasts for a year, and with calculation of calories, nutrients — proteins, you only need a teaspoon of it. Matcha — fats and carbohydrates, with the exact quantity I think everyone knows what it is. As for of ingredients available, step-by-step photos and essential oils: one drop can often replace a descriptions. The whole process of cooking, from kilo of product. After all, it’s a concentrated buying products, taking photos and writing the succus. If you don’t want to use oils — that’s recipes was done by me personally,” writes Irina. fine, you can do without them. In fact, it’s

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Green smoothie "Healthy and beautiful skin": 150 ml filtered water 10 g coriander 30g kale 20 g bok choy 20 g kiwi 20g baby asparagus 1 cucumber 1 tsp chia seeds 1 tsp chlorella 1 tsp matcha 1 drop rosemary essential oil 1 drop coriander essential oil 1 drop thyme essential oil Wash and lightly dry the vegetables, greens and fruit. Soak the chia seeds overnight. Put some water in blender, add kale, bok choy, cilantro, asparagus, cucumber, kiwi, chia seeds, chlorella, matcha. Whisk. Afterwards, add a drop of coriander, rosemary and thyme essential oils. Mix it. Drink immediately.

not as expensive as it seems at first glance. Health is more expensive. For me, it’s elementary stuff in general! Especially when you consider that many things grow on our land. For example, root crops: we have so many of them! And I am not talking about beetroot or carrots. What about parsley root, celery root, parsnip? They are available at the market all year round. You can eat not only marrow, but zucchini, patty pan squash, pumpkin, brussels sprouts… And we have plenty of onions! Unhealthy diet seems to me to be more expensive.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

— And what about imported fruit and vegetables “full of ” chemicals? — That’s why I said: I buy at the market. And so should you. There are also farm products. But don’t be so afraid of “chemical” products. In many countries in the world, crops are harvested four times a year. They are transported by plane — quickly. In Belarus, there is no shortage of anything. If you want to eat what you want, if you are interested in broadening your diet with high-quality products, you can buy absolutely everything here. — Do you eat meat? — Of course. — Tell us about your eating habits. — My mornings start with fluffy buckwheat porridge. I am fond of it and eat it every day, I change protein components. I love liver pâté, I make it myself. A perfect breakfast for me: buckwheat and pâté! — And porridge with butter? — Of course. — What about calcium in butter and iron in buckwheat — they are hard to digest together as substances-antagonists?! — Oh, please! There is no calcium in butter. It’s vitamin D. And calcium is in the lowest fat dairy products. So it all goes together! — This is already new information to me. Yes, you live and learn. There are so many myths, fakes — and somewhere among them there is a lost truth — about the benefits and harms of certain products! Who to believe, how to navigate: where is the information rubbish, and what is worth noting? — One should be guided by what doctors write. For example, me and my colleagues. I have the best specialists working with me in the team. And yes, you are right — there are indeed many different myths on the internet. — What do you advise to give up without exception? — Sugar. In any form, even hidden. — It’s complicated… I read that even skim milk has sugar in it. — Not only that, I was surprised, but horseradish and mustard have it! Although it’s a preservative in this case. All in all, read the labels carefully! — What about the fact that sweets are good for the brain? — You mean glucose? It’s made from complex carbohydrates. These should definitely be present in your diet. These are all kinds of whole-grain cereals, whole-grain pasta and so on. The choice is huge, you just have to want to see it all. And believe me, you can live without sugar. — Irina, what is “body positivity” from your point of view: acceptance of yourself with all your flaws or a veiled reluctance to take care of yourself? — Actually, it’s dislike of oneself. It’s a way of getting attention, of earning somebody’s love. And it doesn’t need to be earned a priori! I know some body positives myself. They are all united by their lack of self-love, although they deny it in every possible way and show the opposite. Deep down, each of them wants to be slim and healthy. Some people just lack motivation, others lack sup-

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE port from outside, and some lack something important in life. All people, by and large, care about the way they look and feel. — Irina, having left the media world, you have not ceased to be a famous person and are still in the media spotlight. So let me ask you a couple of personal questions. Why did you decide to change your career so drastically? Wasn’t it scary to start all over again? Give some advice to those who want to, but are afraid to start their life from scratch. — It’s not scary at all… Especially since I was originally trained as a medical doctor. When you realize that you have “outgrown” it and you realize that the job you are doing is not for you — at no age is it scary to start all over again! But you have to “dive” into new waters sharply. It is very good for the psyche to get out of the comfort zone. It motivates, stimulates. And if we change something in life smoothly, without rushing — we just lose time. Hesitation, doubts, especially when you listen not to yourself but to others — all this slows down development. I have stepped out of my comfort zone more than once. I would like to say that every time I recovered from the stress pretty quickly and got back on track. So you don’t have to stay in your “swamp”, that’s for sure! — Are you psychologically affected by the epidemiological situation? And if you are, what do you do to relieve yourself emotionally? That’s a question for you, as a certified psychiatrist. — We live in the countryside and I don’t feel the full extent of the pressure. We communicate with family and friends remotely. We don’t go anywhere. I consult patients on-line, too. I have not disconnected from the outside world, no. It’s just that in April I was “overloaded” with information, all this speculations about the world conspiracy… That’s when I realized that I can’t stand it anymore. It’s necessary to be able to shift focus. That’s where the “boring routine” of everyday life rises to the challenge. We were renovating a new house — it’s good to be distracted by family chores! I advise everyone to take it easy and stick to a healthy diet. As a preventive measure, you can take zinc (it supports the pancreas, which is the first to respond to stress) and vitamin D. Monitor its levels periodically… — How often should these tests be taken? — At least once a year. Better once every six months, but with moderation. And essential oils are good. And gargle… Of course, you can’t run away from everything, you can’t be immune. Some of our family members get seriously ill. They spent three weeks on ALV being unconscious. It turned out that we were sick too, but asymptomatic. We learnt about it by chance when my husband became a level one contact. Our tests were negative, but we had antibodies. And now my in-laws are sick… We help as much as we can, give advice. But I don’t read the news. I work, I take care of my family — I have enough worries. — What is your favourite season and why? — I used to think I didn’t care. But now I realize that I like the time from April to October. When it’s warm.

"Aromatic healthy cheese balls" 150g whole-wheat flour 200g cheese “Brest — Litovsk Maasdam” 10 quail eggs 150g sesame seeds Baking paper Grate the cheese on a fine grater, mix it with the flour and six quail eggs. Knead the dough. Divide it into equal balls. The dough is sticky and I recommend wetting your hands in cold water so that the balls look nice and smooth. Crack 4 quail eggs into a bowl, brush on your balls, then roll them in sesame seeds and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes at 200 degrees. Serve with tea, kefir, coffee or berry juice.

By Alisa GunGor Photo by Autor.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

TRADITIONS WITH A NATIONAL FLAVOR

WEDDING HISTORY

nly 30 years ago, the newlyweds and their guests were undemanding and not very choosy. Exchange of rings, a kiss, swans on the bonnet, simple contests for guests, cutting the cake — this is probably the whole uncomplicated set of wedding rituals “in the Soviet way”. Today the bride and groom want to make one of the most important days in the life of every couple truly unforgettable. “Creative weddings” and “eco-weddings”, in “village style” and in the style of cult series, weddings in ancient manors, in the forest, on the seashore …The main thing is to have enough money, and the fantasy of wedding agencies is endless. One of the main wedding trends of recent years is authentic weddings in the folk style, with old costumes and rites. And this, by the way, does not require significant material investment. For example, young couples who are interested in weddings with local Belarusian charm come to the Kopyl Local History Museum.

Between past and future Wedding ceremonies started here in 2008 — even earlier than museums in Minsk and regional centres offered brides and grooms this opportunity. By the way, the staff of the Kopyl museum is an innovator not only in this area. It was one of the first museums where most of the exhibits can be touched and held in hand. — This makes the museum alive and interesting for visitors, — says its director Valentina Shurakova. — To hold

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

Couples from different parts of Belarus come to the Kopyl Local History Museum to hold their wedding ceremonies in accordance with ancient rites history in your hands — isn’t that interesting! The exposition of the Kopyl Local History Museum is unique: all things here are real and ancient. There are no replicas. What about the traditional “headache” of museum workers — the preservation of exhibits? — This is, of course, very important, explains the dialogue partner. — And we do everything for that. But it’s equally important that people can literally and figuratively touch the history of their land and feel a connection with its past and future. For the 12 years that have passed since the Kopyl Local History Museum held authentic wedding ceremonies, a wide variety of couples have come here. More often than not, of course, the bride wears a lavish low neckline wedding dress, and the grooms has a modern suit on, but it happens that the outfits of the newlyweds and their guests are made in strict accordance with the concept of a national wedding. — I remember a couple from Minsk — both the groom and the bride, and guests were dressed in ancient costumes. The groom was wearing a linen shirt and trousers, white valenki. The bride also had valenki on, a long white homespun shirt and a small sleeveless jacket. There were few guests, only young people — all of them in Belarusian costumes. It was just great! To walk around the museum halls and “play old times” can be much more interesting both for newlyweds and their guests than to sit at the table all night, the director of the museum notes. — Well, when we hold a wedding ceremony, we attract many people to our halls

who in some other situation would probably not have come to the museum.

Feel like a prince From the Civil Status Registration Office, the newlyweds go to the museum, where they will undergo trials and ancient rites. At the entrance to the building, they are greeted by the museum staff dressed in national costume, a Kopyl-Kletsk costume. The young couple pass through an arch with ribbons and encounter the first obstacle on their way. Right on the doorstep there is a red ribbon. — In the old days, such a ribbon was placed on the doorstep of the house to which a groom was leading his wife, — says the interlocutor. And this obstacle must be overcome correctly. In no case should a young husband cross the ribbon himself, leaving his wife behind — it’s a bad omen. He must take his beloved in his arms and step over the obstacle with her. — If the young man can’t figure out what to do, we suggest he should ask an older-generation guest for a hint, — says Valentina Leonidovna. It is logical that the Kopyl museum has become a kind of centre of wedding rituals. After all, the very name of this ancient city is supposedly made up of the names of two lovers. According to a legend, in ancient times a formidable castle of a wealthy prince was towering in the place where Kopyl is situated now. Not far from the castle, there was a river, which turned into a lake near the princely walls. The prince had his only

TRADITIONS WITH A NATIONAL FLAVOR beautiful daughter. As it happens, the princess fell in love with an common shepherd. Once, at stormy night the lovers decided to run away to get married and get rid of class restrictions. The prince chased his daughter. But the lake hid the lovers, covering them with a huge wave. When the prince heard that his beloved daughter had drowned, he cursed the lake and the river, and they went deep into the ground immediately. In due time a city appeared there, its name combined the names of the princess and her lover — Ko-pol (the lovers’ names were Kolya and Polya). This legend is told to the young couple. To the applause

prince”, i. e. friends of the groom, come to his aid. And sometimes the wife takes away her husband’s bow and aptly shoots an arrow at the target!

The way to the next hall is densely covered with ancient coins — this element of wedding rituals goes back to pre-Christian magic of fertility and wealth. — In the original, the newlyweds are to be showered with coins, — explains the conversation partner. — But we have to collect all these coins later. And it is not easy to get them out of the dresses of mod-

of the guests, they are presented with a “princely certificate” testifying that they have got married. There is a horn on Kopyl’s ancient coat of arms: this is an ancient land of hunters. And the new husband is asked to prove that he is a good earner. A bow, arrows and a target — not every modern man can do the job! — This part of the ceremony always passes very heatedly, — smiles Valentina Shurakova. — The guests on both sides “cheer” for the young man, encourage him and give him advice. When the husband is not very good at it, the “team of the young

ern brides! So our newlyweds dance on “gold”. The essence of the ritual remains: the more coins stick to their soles, the richer life will be. In fact, as we were told at the museum, guests also jump on the coins — they want to be rich too! Not only the “prince”, but also the “princess” is tested during the wedding ceremony. For example, the girl is asked to press the towel with an antique wooden iron. She must figure out how to do it. However, it is not forbidden for the guests to give a hint. She should ask the eldest of those present for advice. If they are

NASLEDIE-SLUCK.BY

Magic of love and harmony

too young to know how to use the device, there is a brainstorming session with the girl’s chief advisor — her chosen one for life from now on. It is here that the photographs happen to be particularly interesting — sometimes funny, sometimes touching and symbolic, the museum staff note. — For example, a beautiful hand of the bride together with a hard hand of her great grandmother. And the two women together iron a national embroidered towel with the help of the antique device While travelling around the museum’s exhibition, the couple has many more “stops”. The bread, baked according to ancient recipes, must be taken home: it shouldn’t be cut before the end of wedding festivities. The wife is put on a dower chest covered with sheepskin (the bigger the chest, the more hard-working and skilful the wife was considered). The couple are presented with small handmade leather chests for rings — a kind of protecting charm of love and loyalty. These chests are given to the newlyweds by elderly people. Representatives of the city and its oldest inhabitants are necessarily invited by the museum staff to hold wedding ceremonies. Generational succession and the concept of “kindred” formed the basis of wedding ceremonies in the old days. — In addition, — explains the director of the museum, — elderly retired people often feel that they have got out of time, that nobody need them. We show them how important their life experience is. We prove that they are in demand in modern life. For them, this is an incentive to move on with their lives. During the ceremony, mothers-inlaw or witnesses are secretly given a ritual doll-kuvadka — a powerful Slavic amulet, which is supposed to be given to the newlyweds at the end of the wedding. In fact, there are two dolls, they symbolise a couple, but they have only one arm for two: it embodies the inseparable connection between people who love each other. The arm needs to be protected — until it is broken, there is an invisible thread of love and nothing can tear it apart. By Diana Ronina

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

THEY SAW A LOT OF ATTRACTIVENESS THERE TOURISTER.RU

Five reasons to see Belarus through the eyes of Russian writers

2. TO TAKE OUT A PASSPORT IN STOLBTSY LIKE MAYAKOVSKY “The building of the Stolbtsy station, clean and white-coloured, immediately reminded of Europe… What care, what a construction site! That’s what is called a “chic” building!” — said Vladimir Mayakovsky in 1927. At that time, the Belarusian territories were divided by the border: the western part was Polish, and the eastern part was Soviet. From the town of Stolbtsy (now the Minsk region) it was a completely different country. This is where the legendary lines about the Soviet passport were born. Vladimir Mayakovsky wrote them when he was on the Manchuria — Stolbtsy international express. It is well known that the poet shared his compartment with a Swede and a Briton, who became the characters of the famous poem. The walls of the Stolbtsy station saw many celebrities — writers Maxim Gorky, Boris Pasternak, Alexey Tolstoy, chess player Mikhail Botvinnik and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden. But Mayakovsky is remembered by the station’s employees with particular warmth. Now nobody will ask you to show any documents. But it is not forbidden for anyone to take out “a red-leather passport” and say proudly: “Read, envy, I am a citizen.”

The Nobel laureate in literature came to” blue-eyed” Belarus more than once. For the first time it was when the aspiring writer started his reckless journey by Orlov-Vitebsk railway. “I like the words: Smolensk, Vitebsk, Polotsk…” the writer confessed merrily to his wife Vera. From the northern capital of Belarus, 19‑year-old Bunin returned to Moscow, “having no money even for an overnight stay”. But he was very impressed. “I arrived in Vitebsk by the end of the day. The night was frosty and bright. It was very snowy, sullen and clean, untouched, the town seemed ancient and non-Russian: tall, joint together houses with steep roofs, small windows, and deep and rough semicircular gates in the lower floors… I was walking like enchanted in this crowd, in this, as it seemed to me, ancient town, in all its wonderful novelty for me.” The last time Ivan Bunin saw Vitebsk province from a train window was in 1918. He was leaving for emigration, he didn’t mask his tears and “was leaving behind all my previous life and the ruins of Russia, having crossed its new border in Orsha”.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

RADZIMA.ORG

1. TO COME TO VITSEBSK BY TRAIN LIKE BUNIN

3. WALK AROUND MOGILEV LIKE PUSHKIN

tersburg theatres. However, the residents of Brest will remembered Griboyedov for other “exploits”. Once for a bet he rode on horseback onto the second floor of the house in the midst of a ball. There is also a story about Griboyedov’s replacing the organist during his service in the church of the Brest Jesuit Monastery. At first he played traditional music, and then, unexpectedly for the worshipers, he started playing “Kamarinskaya” dance music!

MOGILEVNEWS.BY

The “Sun of Russian Poetry” illuminated Belarus with visits twice. In 1820, Alexander Sergeyevich was going into exile from St. Petersburg to Chisinau, and in 1824 he was returning to his family estate Mikhailovskoye under police supervision. The rumours that Pushkin himself would visit the provincial town of Mogilev spread quickly. The poet was awaited. And he did not fail: he used to walk along the old streets in a Russian shirt and boots. There was an officer overcoat on his shoulders, and a yarmulke on his head. He was usually followed by a servant dressed up like a Tatar boy. Officials and most of the officers didn’t seem to notice Pushkin’s arrival, ordinary people and lower-ranking military officials held a lavish reception. In gratitude the poet read poems to them until four o’clock in the morning According to his contemporaries, Alexander Pushkin repeatedly stated that he liked Mogilev. The architecture, the clothes of the

EVROTOURT VER.RU

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

5. TO SERVE IN POLESYE LIKE BLOK The First World War brought this refined lyrical poet from St. Petersburg to Pinsk area. In 1916 Alexander Blok served as a tallyman for the 13th Engineer Construction Corps. What were the poet’s Polessky days like? “I went mad, half a day riding a horse through forests, fields and swamps, with no chance to have a wash; then — we drink samovars of tea, scold the bosses, take a nap or fall asleep, scribble in the office, sometimes sit in the backyard and look at pigs and geese. There is a lot of good in all this, but when it stops, everything will look like a dream.” Blok did not write a single poem in his Belarusian period. However, before his death, the hopelessly ill Alexander Alexandrovich often remembered the village of Kolba, where his regiment was stationed. In delirium he pronounced the name Mariya more than once and even said that perhaps he had a son in Polesye.

townspeople and the way they talked were particularly impressive. We find confirmation of the words in “Boris Godunov”: “Drink, but don’t lose your mind”, “Let’s drink a glass for a wife of the tavern keeper,” Pushkin’s characters say it in Belarusian manner.

The author of the most cited work of Russian literature “The Mischief of Being Clever” was a brilliant diplomat. But his hussar past is usually neglected at the lessons of literature. It’s a pity! Alexander Griboyedov was directly involved in the war with Napoleon, and encountered the victory over the French in BrestLitovsk. Here the young officer tried himself as a writer for the first time. The plays “Young Spouses” and “His Family or Married Bride” were written during the Brest period, and already in the 1815 theatre season they enjoyed great success at the best St. Pe-

By Sofya Arsenyeva PHOTOCENTRA.RU

4. TO HIT THE TOWN OF BREST LIKE GRIBOYEDOV

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

COLLECTIONS

MUSEUM IS LIKE AN ICEBERG… The National Art Museum is one of the largest in Belarus. In addition to a permanent exhibition, it organises many events and promotions, ranging from online exhibitions during the pandemic to lectures given by famous cultural figures. But all of this is just an external side, well known to every visitor.

adezhda Usova, a leading researcher at the National Art Museum, told us about the hidden from our eyes: “Each museum is a complex organism, a kind of “iceberg”. Everyone thinks of a museum as an exhibition that they visit. In fact, this is only four percent of what a museum possesses. Visitors see the best: the works of art that were lucky enough to have been raised from vaults to the “ball room” with its glow of light and hundreds of visitors. They show themselves and represent the artist’s name. — And where are the other works of art? — Most of them are in so-called vaults or foundations. There are currently more than thirty-four thousand works in the museum. In total, they comprise twenty collections. It happens that the most interesting works replace each other. Time passes, a new cultural layer accumulates, society’s attitude changes and, consequently, so do the paintings. They get into the permanent exhibition and remain there. — What is the fund like?

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

— There are many rooms. In 2006, a new building was constructed, there are storage rooms equipped with mobile shelves and stacks… This is where curators keep their collection as they see fit. And when they are asked to find a work for a photograph or an exhibition, they look through their folio, find the work and bring it in. But in order to exhibit a painting, a number of efforts still have to be made: for example, to give it to the restorers as the frame an be damaged or there are scuffs. In fact, a curator is a very respected expert who must preserve collections for future generations. After all, we have very old works. The oldest of them is a small chess piece that is nine hundred years old. And we must make sure that our children and grandchildren will see this piece. Every piece of art, like a person, has its own passport: registration number, photo, specifications. This is a big job, especially since the fund is constantly being replenished, sometimes under dramatic circumstances. For example, the Borisov Crystal Plant is out of business now. People stopped

buying crystal… At the factory there was a museum, or the so-called assortment bureau. The management is forced to sell off artistic crystal of the past and present century. We have taken over three hundred copyright works for temporary storage for further purchase. Can you imagine what a huge collection! Unfortunately, artistic crystal doesn’t exist any longer, and a 120‑year history of the factory is over. Apparently, one day a Museum of Glass and Crystal will be built in Minsk, and we will exhibit these preserved collections from Borisov, which, I have no doubt, will cause nostalgia… — How do the works get into the collection? — There are special grants from the Ministry of Culture and budgetary funds that are spent on the purchase of new exhibits. The state does not have that much money. Sometimes an artist waits for several years until his or her turn comes and the painting is bought. Museum anniversaries are also a good reason to replenish the fund. We have many friends who ask what to give us before

COLLECTIONS such a celebration. And then we say, for example: we need a Slutsk belt or a badge, which is waiting for its chance to be preserved. There was story: an elderly man came to the museum and told us that he had an old icon in the attic of a village house. He thought it to be very valuable. The man was elderly and seriously ill, but he really wanted this icon to be in the museum. Specialists examined it and agreed, because the icon turned out to be very beautiful, a real masterpiece. He was so happy! And he just gave it to the museum. It was restored, and now it is on display with the donor’s name on the plate. He is already dead, but visitors can see his name. Contemporary artists can get to the fund thanks to the President’s grant. The Purchasing Commission of the Ministry of Culture which consists of well-known respected artists, evaluates the work and decides whether to buy it or not. — What about auctions? — Unfortunately, our practice with European auctions does not work yet. There are many obstacles. For example, there are problems with foreign currency export. For EU countries it is very convenient to hold auctions with each other. Even in Russia, it is almost impossible to buy anything at an auction. It is easier to buy works from collectors or descendants of artists. This arrangement has been worked out. — Artists, probably, give their collections as gifts, don’t they? — Of course they do. I was a curator of the jubilee exhibition where gifts were given to the National Art Museum. I was given a list of all the gifts for the last twenty years which are listed in the museum’s electronic catalogue. I was surprised to see that it was a huge 75‑page list of five thousand works! Another thing was to choose the 200 best for the exhibition! There are a lot of gifts and it’s very good. It reflects society’s position: people understand the need to preserve works of national character. The gifts are very different, e. g. icons, paintings and graphics. Sometimes even entire collections. For example, the Vitebsk artist Ales Memus presented three hundred of his drawings.

— Do you accept all sorts of things or do you make a certain choice? — We accept graphics easily. Because the works on paper are stored in folders, and they do not need much space. Painting is another thing. Sometimes older artists, whose paintings have not been sold for a long time, want to donate a hundred and twenty of their paintings to unload their studio, but the museum does not accept them. We will choose five works that we think are the best. The question arises: what about the others? There is a way out — to donate the collection in your small homeland. Sculptures are rarely donated because they are expensive. — How long does it take to collect? — It is a continuous process that lasts for decades. Sometimes new collections appear. For example, we have formed a collection of medals and commemorative coins thanks to our banks, which now produce many beautiful medals. — Which specialists are responsible for forming the collection? — Museum historians, art historians, cultural scientists. For example, the collection of fabrics was formed by several people: first an expedition to the villages, then gifts from people and purchases from collectors. Our task was to make sure that all the works were photographed, annotated and widely available. — Are your favourite works kept in the collection or exhibited? — Unfortunately, my favourite painting is in the collection. It is very sad, but there is nothing you can do about it. This is Vasily Sumarov’s still life “The Night the Cactus Blossomed”. It’s a great picture with an interesting plot. It may appear in a new exhibition of the future museum complex. Now we have a grandiose project conceived by our director Vladimir Prokoptsov — thirteen albums showing our collections. At the curator’s option, a lot of material will be published in them. I think this is very good, because our first album, which represented ancient art, was sold out within a year. By Arina Karpovich

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

FOOTPRINTS ON THE GROUND

WHAT WILL THE STONES TELL? How to go around all Belarus in a few hours, to visit the Minsk Sea and Lake Naroch, to get to the banks of the Neman and the Western Dvina, to climb the Oshmyanskaya and Novogrudskaya Uplands? All you need to do is to visit the most unusual museum in Minsk, which is located in the capital district of Uruchye.

Here you can see the largest map of Belarus, which is laid out in stone. And not only the country’s borders are shown, but also the main relief forms, trails imitating the main rivers and water bodies. One of your steps here will be equal to approximately two kilometres. On this map you can also see where the last glaciers “stopped” — the borders are shown with the help of chains of small boulders. The stones are arranged according to geographical principles. The “Park of Stones”, a natural monument of national importance, covers an area of over seven hectares. Unfortunately, this unique not only for Belarus, but also for the whole of Europe object (there are no “stone” museums of such scale and with similar ideas) remains unheralded. Today the city’s tour guides are trying to correct this nonsense and, above all, introduce the object to the residents living next to the unusual museum. The exhibits which were brought there from all over Belarus show the history of our country, and one can travel in time with the help of an imaginary “time machine” as far as millions of years ago. The modern appearance of the land on which we live is related to its development over the last two million years. 1760 thousand years ago, the land was a plain that rose from west to east. In the Stone Museum, you can see how glaciers came to our land from the Scandinavian peninsula and covered Belarus five times. The most power-

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

ful was the Dnieper glaciation, which, according to scientists, occurred 350–280 thousand years ago. In those days, the glacier covered the entire territory of our country. But the Sozh glaciation covered only half of the territory. During its reign this glacier “built” the Grodno, Volkovysk, Slonim, Novogrudsk, Kopyl, Oshmyansk, Minsk and Orsha hills. It was this and the last, Poozersk, glaciers that left a large number of boulders on our territory. When you walk through the park, pay attention to the way the hills, decorated with stones, border on flat and clean surface on this live map. Only people who haven’t travelled much in their own country can

say that it looks alike everywhere. When people who live in Polesye and are used to living on the plain come to the Minsk Region, they may find the local terrain uncomfortable. It is just that the glacier that “worked” in Central and Northern Belarus didn’t reach them.

There are very few stones in the south of the country as well as in the east. In the west, however, there is too much of this wealth. For example, the Smorgon Dis-

trict is 40 per cent covered with stones, which creates problems for agriculture. The glacial heritage influenced our history and culture. Look back, there were many castles made of stone in the west, e. g. the Krevo castle. And in the east, there was a shortage of this building material, brick was expensive, and wooden buildings didn’t survive to this day. Some exhibitions in the open-air museum are devoted to the form and structure

FOOTPRINTS ON THE GROUND of stones. Researchers can determine how where and these “guests” came from to our land. Individual stones in the body of the glacier during the journey fell into cracks, broke apart, erased, cracked, became smooth, while others managed “to ride on horseback”, they still resemble a piece of rock. By the way, one of the largest of these fragments rests near Rakov by the highway to Grodno, and it is a natural monument. The stone map clearly lacks a sign dedicated to the authors of the idea to create a museum of boulders, it should appear in the area of the Mogilev Region, Mstislav District, where the brothers Maxim and Gabriel Goretsky were born in the village of Malaya Bogatkovka. The first became a writer and the latter a geologist. Gavri-

il, as well as Maxim, went through the persecutions of the 1930s, miraculously survived, although he was sentenced to death, and in the 60s he returned to his homeland, became an Honorary Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and made a number of scientific discoveries. Not all the ideas voiced back in the 80s have been implemented in the museum. There were also plans to erect a sculpture

of a mammoth: a lot of remains of these animals were found in Minsk, e. g. during the construction of the metro station Borisovsky Trakt, on Avtozavodskaya Street and even when digging the foundation pit for the Palace of the Republic. By the way, you can see the bones of mammoths in the Geological Museum, which is located next to the park of stones. It is located in the building of the Scientific and Practical Centre for Geology. The Museum was created on the basis of the collection of the Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Republican Unitary Enterprises “Belgeologiya” and “Belarusian Research Geological Exploration Institute”. There are also samples of minerals and rocks from different countries and continents, as well as from the bottom of four oceans. The paleontological collection includes animal bones, extinct animals, prints and fossils of ancient fish and plants, and a luxurious collection of meteorites. But we will return to the open-air museum of boulders. One of its exhibitions tells about stone in human life. Here you will see boulders with pictures and inscriptions, objects that our

ancestors worshipped, such as the famous “Ded” stone, which people went to in the last century to get rid of diseases and misfortunes. It lay on the bank of the Svisloch. Today, there is a plaque on the place that says it is a historical monument. According to a theory, the last pagan temple in Europe

was situated there. Some Sevostey held services and rituals there, and made whistleblowers for women (if they whistle, their husbands, who were taken to the war, must come back). Although the guide Timofey Akudovich considers this Sevostey to be a “start-upper” of the time, people used to go to the stone, made sacrifices, and the man decided to take advantage, offered a certain “package of services” and made good money. The shrine was scattered in 1905. People still come to the stone today. Sometimes one can see sweets or coins on the boulder. In spring, ethnographers even restored an ancient rite: they wove a towel at night, drove around the city with it, and then tied to the stone “Ded”. In the old days, our ancestors tried to stop epidemics in this way. One can also see trail-stones in the exhibition. According to old beliefs, the Mother of God left her footprints on them. She used to walk barefoot on the ground, but the stones were still soft then. The water in her prints was considered to be healing. There are boundary stones (people used them to mark their plots), grindstones of the 18th and 19th centuries, and a cross with the image of a knight wearing a crown and the letters RSB (probably the inscription stands for “King Stephen Báthory”). There was another unusual exhibit there earlier, which resembled a female figure. This stone idol was transferred to the Geological Museum. There are also bas-reliefs which contain folk tales related to stones. They were planned to be placed in the Alley of large boulders with more even borders. Yes, our ancestors believed that devils, snakes, dragons live in the stones or that people were turned into them. For example, in Belarus some groups of stones have been called “Bulls” or “Ploughers” since ancient times. That was the punishment of God for working on Easter or Sunday, or for being greedy. By Elena Dedyulya Photo BELTA

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NEIGHBOURS

NATIVE WORDS: ADDRESSES OF BELARUSIAN MEMORY Vytautas Žeimantas is a well-known Lithuanian journalist and writer. He headed the editorial office of an evening city newspaper in Vilnius. He has written several books for young readers. He translates Belarusian literature into Lithuanian. By the way, the Lithuanian writer is a member of the Belarusian Writers’ Union. And quite recently in Vilnius his book about famous Belarusians who were connected with Vilnius, Vilno in the first half of 20th century was published. Our correspondent is talking to Vytautas Žeimantas.

Vytautas Žeimantas

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— Your book “By the Native Spiritual Word” is the result of many years of work to find addresses of Belarusian culture, Belarusian literature in Vilnius, Lithuania. What did it begin with? — Probably with an elephant that I, a sixth-grader, first saw alive in Grodno Zoological Garden… Or with paving stones of the streets of old Grodno (for some reason, the idea that it was very similar to the paving stones of my native Vilnius has found lodgment in my mind since childhood). And maybe also with a young girl who was intently and silently blowing into a pipe, from which something round, transparently shining, catching and brightly reflecting even the smallest glistening appeared, who was creating something amazing, unearthly in small Berezovka, at the glass factory “Neman”, which made me write an essay “The Sun in a Drop of Glass”… — Have you been to Berezovka, in the Lida Region? This is one of my favourite places in Belarus!.. Lida, Novogrudok, Mir, Korelichi regions… — And I passionately love the ancient Grodno Region! And maybe it began with a surprise in Zhodino, when I together with Anatoly Myasnikov, a journalist and later a writer, was climbing into the cab of a giant BelAZ with shaking hands… With the search for BelAZ in Lithuania and the joy of finding it… Thus, the memories of school tours were complemented by journalistic trips. I worked for the Lithuanian national newspaper “Tiesa” (“Pravda”). The newspaper was on friendly terms

NEIGHBOURS with the Belarusian newspaper “Zviazda”. I have mentioned only two addresses to which we were invited by the “Zviazda”. In the ten years that I worked for “Tiera”, I, together with my colleagues from “Zviazda”, visited many towns and villages in Belarus. I learned not only to sing “Yas mowed the clover”, but brought many interesting impressions from each trip. He wrote about oilmen from Novopolotsk, leatherworkers from Vitebsk, manufacturers of refrigerators “Minsk”, brewers of Lida. I also wrote about the Belovezhskaya Pushcha bisons, the descendants of which have now resurrected the previously destroyed population of the Lithuanian bison, about the ancient city of Grodno, the sights of Lake Naroch and about many other things. These meetings with Belarus are deeply rootJaronimas Laucius, Ales Karlyukevich and Vytautas Žeimantas. Minsk, 2017. ed in my heart. I began to study BelarusianLithuanian literary relations more and more deeply. And they, to my for children, even the magazine for beekeepers “Belarusian borts”, surprise, are deep, extensive and very fruitful. The cream of the BelaruBelarusian books were also published. Vilnius was one of the centres of Belarusian culture at that time. But when we talk about it, sian classics, i. e. Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas, Maxim Tank, were closely we should not forget about Kaunas, at that time the temporary linked to Lithuania in their youth. Many other Belarusian poets, writers capital of Lithuania, where Belarusians and Belarusian public and educators, e. g. Maxim Goretsky, Alaiza Pashkevich (Tsetka), Yanka associations were also active. The Ministry of Belarusian Affairs Bylina, Kazimir Svyak, Alexander Zyazyulya, Mihas Mashara, Zmitrok of Lithuania started working there in 1918, the first ministers of Byadulya, are also associated with Vilnius. This is a fruitful topic full of which were well-known Belarusian figures Jazep Voronko and literary discoveries. I published several dozens of articles in the LithuDominique Semashko. The Ministry represented and protected anian press about Belarusian creators who lived and worked in Lithuthe interests of Belarusians, took care of their economic and culania. These publications formed the basis for the book “By the Native tural needs, Belarusian education and the Belarusian press. In Spiritual Word”. But I do not see the end of this topic yet. addition, advocates of the Belarusian Cultural and Educational — The characters of your essays are mainly those Belarusian Association worked in Kaunas, the Belarusian Publishing Cenand partly Lithuanian educators who lived in Vilnius in the first tre also worked quite fruitfully. The magazines “Chasopis”, “Bethree or four decades of the 20th century. And what was remarklaruski stsyag”, newspaper “Kryvich” were published in Kaunas; able about Belarusian life in Vilnius in those decades? Belarusian books were published, including “Padruchny rasіyska— I think that at that time the most remarkable thing in Bekryuskі (belaruskі) slounіk” which was published in 1924. Such an larusian, as well as in Lithuanian life, was an active national revival. extensive Belarusian heritage in Lithuania certainly helped to colThat is why I called the foreword to the book “Lithuanians and lect materials for publications. There was only one difficulty — at Belarusians are people of common destiny”. When the tsarist authat time Belarusians used both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. The tocracy permitted the national press, in Vilnius, in 1906, “Nasha already mentioned newspapers “Nasha Dolya” and “Nasha Niva” Dolya”, the first legal newspaper in the Belarusian language, was were published in parallel in two alphabets. Problems arose in published. It was so popular that the one-time circulation of the writing names, surnames and proper nouns. In their own way, they 1st issue was 10 thousand copies. Unfortunately, the Tsarist auwere also written in Lithuanian, Russian and Polish. For example, thorities soon closed it down and the publishers were tried. But the in Vilnius, the famous Belarusian writer and enlightener Maxim Belarusian patriots were not frightened, they immediately started Goretsky could have been Garetskі, Kharetski, Goreckis, Gareckis, to publish a new newspaper — “Nasha Niva”. Literary works by Horeckis, Hareckis… It was difficult to identify and look for an inMaxim Bogdanovich, Alaiza Pashkevich (Tsetka), Yanka Kupala, dividual because of Belarusification of names and surnames which Yakub Kolas, Zoska Veras, Zmitrok Byadulya, Yadvigin Sh. and other Belarusian creators and educators were published in this began at that time, e. g. Ivan-Januk, Januk, Vladimir-Uladzimir, newspaper. The Belarusians had a great craving for their native Uladzimir… In addition, Belarusian authors began to avoid usword. Despite the fact that the tsarist and later Polish authorities in ing the Polish letters sz, sz, cz, and instead, like the Lithuanians, every way prevented the development of the Belarusian press, began to write the letters č, š, ž. New letters appeared in surnames several dozens of Belarusian periodicals were published in Vil(A. Stankievič), pen-names (Vincuk Adwažny), names of newspapers (Bielaruskaje žyccio) and books (Kaziukowa Žanimstwa or nius before the war, i. e. social and political, religious, cultural,

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NEIGHBOURS Fr. Bahušewič: jaho žyćcio i tworčaść). Therefore, it was difficult to search in old catalogues of libraries and archives, where letter sequences are very important. But the knowledge of Belarusian, Russian and Polish helped. And the difficulties only increased the joy of the achieved result. — Which of the characters in your book is the closest, the most interesting to you? — In my new book there are nine characters, nine figures of the Belarusian National Revival, writers, poets, publicists who studied, worked and created in Lithuania before the war. These are Adam Stankevich, Stanislav Glyakovsky (Stasiuk z‑nad Niomna), Alexander Astramovich (Andrey Zyazyulya), Yan (Yanka) Semashkevich (Yanka Bylina), Vincent (Vintsuk) Gadlevsky, Jazep Germanovich (Vintsu k Advazhny), Konstantin Stepovich (Kazimir Svayak), Viktor Shutovich and Vladislav Tolochka. One may immediately ask why there are no classics of Belarusian literature — Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, who also lived in Vilnius and started their creative activity there? Because they are well known in Lithuania, their heritage is studied by entire institutions and museums named after great creators. And I could hardly find anything new about them and I don’t like saying the same over and over again. The characters of my book are less wellknown, but they impress with their uniqueness, active struggle for national revival, love for their native language, for their people, and a great desire to create. Which of them is the closest, most interesting? I find all of them dear and interesting. For example, Adam Stankevich published in Vilnius the newspaper “Krynitsa”, the magazines “Khrystsіyanskaya Dumka” and “Shlyakh Moladzі”. He wrote many books, including “Doktar Francišak Skaryna — pieršy drukar biełaruski 1525– 1925”. (1925), “Biełaruskaja mowa u škołach Biełarusi XVI i XVII st” (1928), “Rodnaja mowa u swiatyniach” (1929), “Vitaut Vialiki i Belarus” (1930), “Kastus Kalinoŭski: “Muzhytskaya prauda“ i ideya nezalezhnastsi Belorusi” (1933), “Da gіstoryі belaruskaga palіtychnaga vyzvalennya” (1934), “Biełaruski Chryscijanski Ruch” (1939), “Khrystsіyanstva і Belaruskі narod” (1940) and other works. By the way, I first became interested in A. Stankevich when I found his research “Z lіtuanіzmau u belaruskay move” in the magazine “Kolosse” (1938, No 3, 4; 1939, No 1, 2, 3). Stanislav

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Glyakovsky, known more under the pseudonym Stasiuk z‑nad Niomna, actively participated in the Belarusian press, in Vilnius he published books in Belarusian, financed the publication of children’s newspaper “Proleski”, some creative projects of Belarusian writers. Alexander Astramovich, under the pseudonym of Andrey Zyazyulya, wrote heart-felt lyrical poems. In Vilnius he published books of poems “Z rodnaha zahonu” (1913), “Alenčyna wiaselle” (1923), in St. Petersburg the poem “Slova praudy ab move і dolі belarusa” (1917). He went to villages to collect Belarusian folklore and together with Anton Grinevich in 1912 published a two-volume book “Belaruskіya pesnі z notamі”. I can say similar things about other characters of the book. — No doubt, Adam Stankevich, Stanislav Glyakovsky, Andrey Zyazyulya, Yanka Bylina, Vintsuk Advazhny, Vladislav Tolochko, Vincent Gadlevsky, Viktor Shutovich are not all Belarusian Vilnius… Who else are you going to write about? Will the book “By the Native Spiritual Word” have a continuation? — In the periodical press my articles have been published, their characters are Maxim Tank, Maxim Goretsky, Nataliya Arsenyeva, Vatslav Lastovsky, Vladimir Rul, Alexey Zaritsky, who translated the poem “Chatyry pary goda” by our classic K. Donelaitis. I also wrote about the newspapers “Nasha Dolya” and “Nasha Niva”. But in Lithuania, the Belarusian theme is inexhaustible. In Vilnius, about 30 street names are of Belarusian origin, from Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas streets to Minsk, Lida, Polotsk streets… In the old city, many memorial plaques are dedicated to Belarusian figures. And the library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences has dozens of titles of Belarusian newspapers, magazines and hundreds of books. If you go there, you may stay there for months. I have a real journalistic, writing pleasure in dealing with these topics. Now I am more interested in life (1876–1916) and in the work of Alaiza Pashkevich (Tsetka). She lived in Vilnius, married Stepanas Kairis, one of the founders of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, and worked in the hospital near which I used to live. Her work is multifaceted; she is also a Belarusian poetess, prose writer and social and political figure, actress and teacher. She was at the origins of the first legal newspaper in the Belarusian language “Nasha Dolya”, and edited the children’s magazine “Luchynka”. She is the author of the collections “Khrest na svabodu” and “Skrypka belaruskaya”, books for children “Pershaye chytanne dlya dzetak belarusau” and “Lemantar”, “Gastsіnets

NEIGHBOURS dlya malykh dzyatsey”… The fate of the Belarusian poetess, writer, artist, public figure Zoska Veras (real name — Ludwika Savitskaya-Voitik) is also interesting. She lived for almost a hundred years (1892–1991). She lived in Vilnius since 1923, worked as an administrative manager of the editorial offices of the newspapers of the Belarusian Peasants’ and Medal “Journalist Vytautas Žeimantas”, Workers’ Union, edited chilcopper. Artist Stasis Makaraitis. 2008. dren’s magazines “Zaranka” and “Praleski”. She published her literary, artistic and journalistic works in the magazines “Shlyakh moladzі” and “Studentskaya dumka”. The poetess rendered a lot of help to Belarusian political prisoners who were in the Lukish prison. It was she who secretly took the manuscripts of the Belarusian writer Mikhas Mashara from the prison and published the book with the help of Stanislav Glyakovsky. By the way, the poet Maxim Tank and the characters of my book Adam Stankevich, Vintsuk Gadlevsky served their sentences as political prisoners in the Lukish prison a little later. So, there are a lot of Belarusian themes, I need only good health to reveal them. — You have tried to translate into Lithuanian the works of Belarusian prose writers… Could you please tell us a little more about it? — I started to translate from Belarusian not long ago. While in Minsk, I bought “Beloruska-ruski slounik”. The first translation was the work by Lidiya Arabey — I got interested in her Lithuanian theme. Later I got interested in the prose of Maxim Goretsky and Maxim Tank. Both wrote very interestingly about pre-war Vilnius. I translated several poems by Francisk Skorina and Maxim Bogdanovich, fairy tales by Olga Korotkevich, short stories by Ales Karlyukevich, literary miniatures by Alaiza Pashkevich (Tsetka) and Georgy Marchuk. I am glad that my efforts were noticed in Minsk, in 2010 I was admitted to the Union of Writers of Belarus. I am proud that there is my translation into Lithuanian in the unique book “Frantsysk Skaryna na movakh narodau svetu”, which was published in 2014 thanks to the publishing house “Zviazda”. I also took up a larger work by Ales Karlyukevich, i. e. a fairy tale novel for children “Yak Shuburshun pa Svislachy padarozhnichau”. In 2015, it was published as a separate book by the publishing house “Trys žvaigždutės” (“Three Stars”), which is headed by Yaronimas Laucius, also a member of the Writers’ Union of Belarus. Speaking about translations, I can only regret that there is still no “Belarusian-Lithuanian Dictionary”. — I know that you have come to Minsk several times, visited Grodno. Did you take any “Belarusian stories” with you back home? Did you write anything about Belarus? — Twice I was invited to the congress of the Writers’ Union of Belarus, several times in Minsk, later in Grodno, participated in literary debates, got acquainted with the work of the Minsk International Book

Fair. Taking advantage of the visa-free regime, I visited Grodno, admired the old city, navigated the Augustov Canal, brought my grandson to Grodno. Of course, coming back from every trip, I bring home a lot of impressions. And, bearing in mind that I have been a journalist for more than forty years, after each trip my hand wants to write down my impressions. I have publications about Belarusian in the republican newspapers Lietuvos Aidas (Echo of Lithuania), XXI amžius (21st century), Voruta (name of the area), magazines Gaires (Milestones), Žvaigždė (Star) and, of course, in the digital newspaper of the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union, which I have been editing for almost ten years. The participation of Belarusians in various events held in Lithuania has also expanded my Belarusian theme. I wrote about the successful participation of Belarusian book publishers in the Vilnius International Book Fair, exhibitions of Belarusian artists, tours of Belarusian theatres. So, life goes on, there will be something to write about. — And how is historical, documentary and local history literature developing in Lithuania today? — I think quite successfully. In Soviet times, there was a bias towards revolutionary themes, the oppression of the nation, of ordinary people. Now you can research and write literally about everything. The lack of ideological canons makes it possible to interpret

At the presentation

events in different ways. It is good that the diversity of opinions paves the way for reflection, but it is bad, of course, that one can get confused in this diversity. I think that a good trend in the local history movement is also the desire to get to know better the history, culture and life of other peoples living in Lithuania. After all, Lithuania is not only about Lithuanians. I have already talked about the Belarusian layer; there are also Russian, Polish, Jewish, smaller — Tatar, Karaites cultural layers. I am glad that all nationalities want and can go deeper into their historical roots. This is facilitated by periodicals and books published in the Belarusian, Russian, Polish, Jewish and Karaites languages. More than once, I finished my articles in the Lithuanian press saying that we, Lithuanians, need to know more about the life of the peoples living nearby. Interviewed by Kirill Ladutko

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INTERVIEW WITH THE WRITER

Lyudmila Rublevskaya:

“MY CHARACTERS MANAGE ME” This trinity — Prantish Vyrvich, Bavtramey Lyodnik and their creator Lyudmila Rublevskaya — is already well known in Belarus. A number of adventure novels are read mainly by creative intellectuals, students, high school students and lovers of national literature. Now the writer’s new novels are spoken of. And now a screen verion of one of them is ready to be released at the Belarusfilm studio (director Alexander Anisimov).

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not only about literature and the fates of her characters, i. e. Prantish Vyrvich, Bavtramey Lyodnik (there are already six works in the series “The Adventures of Prantish Vyrvich”!), but also about their creator, about some periods of Belarusian histor y, peculiarities of the national mentality. We began the conversation with the genealogical roots of the writer,.

Secrets of the Rublevskys and Cheslavskys — Ludmila Ivanovna, we can assume that your genealogical roots grow from the noble environment that you describe with such interesting details and apparent good feeling in the novels of the series “The Adventures of Prantish Vyrvich”. Something seems to have attracted you in ancient times, in the eighteenth century? LIT VIN.PL

It is very easy to meet face-to-face with Lyudmila Rublevskaya in Minsk, at least for us, our fellow journalists. The House of Press at 10A Bogdan Khmelnitsky Street is well known, and she also works there. At one time we even walked along the same corridor: Lyudmila worked in the late 1990s as head of the department of literary criticism in the newspaper “Litaratura i mastatstva”, and we in the same building near Victory Square (Zakharova Street, 19) put our creative energy into the magazine “Belarus”. And since this autumn, as “life adventures” go, we have found ourselves in the same ogranization: publishing house “Zviazda”. We would like to remind you that the editorial staff of the “Беларусь. Belarus” has been working in this publishing house since August 2018. Lyudmila Rublevskaya was recently invited to head the department of culture in the “native newspaper in the native language” — under this slogan, “Zviazda” presents itself on the front page. When we talked to the colleague, there was some uncertainty about her fate. The conversation partner, who was off her job duties at the time, was joking: I have left one shore and haven’t got to the other. We had no doubt that she, a journalist and a well-known writer, would not be left without a job. And proposals, she said, came from different sides. We h a d a w a r m , f r i e n d l y conversation in one of the cozy cafes near the Radio House: with hot herbal tea, without a lot of small talk. We talked

INTERVIEW WITH THE WRITER Did your energy connection establish a creative contact, or a temporary portal, with the Belarusian past of the Commonwealth of Poland? — Unfortunately, I know almost nothing about my ancestry. Because in the 1930s, almost all my relatives suffered from persecutions: some were exiled, others was shot down. My grandmothers survived — on my mother’s side grandmother Pelageya and her sister Olga: they helped each other all their lives. Either of them had a baby at the beginning of the war — this is my mother Galina and her cousin Alexander. My grandmothers bravely bore their cross of life and did not tell anyone anything. I believe that was the way these wise women who had gone through a lot, were protecting their descendants. — And where do your birth roots come from? — My father, I know, was from the Mogilev Region, from East Polesye, and my mother was from the Minsk Region, or rather from the Puchovichi District. My father was from the Rublevskys family, my mother was from the Cheslavskys family. I know a bit more about my mother and very little about my father because he did not live with us. And I didn’t have a chance to ask him about anything. All I know is that my father’s mother died during the war in Gomel, she was a teacher. And his father, my grandfather, was exiled to Siberia in 1937. Both my father and his sister were taken to an orphanage. — Your grandfather was exiled “for his origin”, as they said then? — I do not know. I haven’t found anything about this family yet. But I know my mother’s ancestry: many Cheslavskys left for Leningrad before the war. To earn money. And there were traditionally many Belarusians there. The Cheslavskys and my future grandmother lived there. But I don’t even know where my mother was born. It seems to be in Petersbourg. But my relatives kept a very low profile, as they say now. But I found both my mother’s uncle and her cousin on the “Open list” — there is such information about persecutions on the Internet… The Cheslavskys were educated people, they worked in St. Petersburg on the railway. For example, Cheslavsky Yakov Ustinovich, born in 1877, was my great-grandfather Maxim Ustinovich’s brother. He is a native of the village of Lyutsiya of the Igumensky Uyezd, and this is our “family nest”. He worked in Leningrad as a storekeeper for the main material warehouse of the Oktyabrskaya Railway. He was arrested in 1937 and shot down according to the notorious article 58: “enemy of the people”. Around the same time, Nikolay Romanovich Cheslavsky, born in 1910, chief fare-collector of the Leningrad-Passazhirsky-Vitebsk station and native of the same village of Lyutsiya, was arrested and shot down. As far as I understand, he was my grandmother’s cousin. And my future grandmother, Pelageya, worked there at the station as a weigher. Just imagine: when the “clan of Polish spies Cheslavskys” was being exterminated there, how much she suffered! And not surprisingly, the members of our family who survived fled from Leningrad. To get into the hell of war in Belarus — because the village of Lyutsiya was burned down together with its inhabitants, and my

From the creative biography of the writer Lyudmila Rublevskaya (Lyudmila Ivanovna Shnip), born on July 5, 1965 in Minsk. She is a Belarusian poetess, prose writer, literary critic and journalist. She studied at the Poetry Department of the Literary Institute in Moscow, graduated from the Belarusian Department of the Philological Faculty of the Belarusian State University. Worked as a head of the department of criticism in the magazine “Pershatsvet”, head of the department in the newspaper “Nasha Slova”, editor of various departments in the weekly “Litaratura i mastatstva”, since 2002 — a literary observer of the newspaper “SB. Belarus Segodnya”. Now she is editor of the culture department of the newspaper Zviazda. She is the author of more than 30 books, including poetry collections. As a literary crituc she is characterized by the search for new ways and forms to draw attention to beautiful Belarusian writing as an actual phenomenon of the modern European and world cultural space. Lyudmila is a moderator and organizer of many literary discussions. Lyudmila Rublevskaya’s poetry is characterized by existential reflection and intense psychology, reflexive meditation combined with ironic wit. She writes fairy tales. The book “The Adventures of the Mouse Peak-Peak” is an attempt to create modern Belarusian urban mythology for children, “Crown at the bottom of the whirlpool” is a book of legends and stories about the origin of plants with gothic flowers and an excursion in the history of Belarus. T h e a d v e nt u re s e r i e s “ T h e Ad v e nt u re s of Prantish Vyrvich” tells about the adventures in the 18th century of a fugitive student of the Minsk Jesuit College Prantish Vyrvich and a doctor from Polotsk, Bavtramey Lyodnik. Works by Lyudmila Rublevskaya have b een translated into dozens of languages. The book “Game in Albaruthenia” was published in Ukraine (2012), “The Adventures of the Mouse Peak-Peak” — in Poland (2007). Lyudmila Rublevskaya is a winner of the Francisk Skorina Medal and the Golden Pen Award of the Union of Journalists of Belarus. In 2017 the writer was awarded the National Literary Prize in the category “The Best Prose Work” for her novel “The Adventures of Prantish Vyrvich, Traitor and Confederate” (fourth in the series).

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

INTERVIEW WITH THE WRITER future mother, a child then, miraculously managed to escape from a closed burning barn. And what’s interesting: my greatgrandfather’s cousin was prosecuted as a Belarusian, and Nikolay Cheslavsky as a Pole… — Yes, it was a very difficult time, dramatic… We can’t wipe it from our history. But it’s a good thing that we are now rethinking those cruel events, including in literature — we know that you also have works related to that time. — I try to think it over. Before the war, Pelageya with my future mother, who was very small, and her sister with her little son ran home to Belarus. My mother told me that no matter how much she cried later, no matter how much she asked “tell me about my relatives, who my father is” — she said nothing. Not a word. I think it was the unwillingness to relive the pain of the past as well as fear. After all, many people who have lived through hard years, the war, do not like to speak about it. But that was their sinister fate: war broke out and they lived in Belarus in fear again. And their home village of Lyutsiya (now Lyutsi), which they had returned to, was burned down. (Now the village is part of the Novoselkovsky village council of the Pukhovichi District. At the beginning of the twentieth century it was listed in the Tsitvyanskaya Volost of the Igumensky Uyezd of the Minsk Province. During the 2nd World War, from the end of June

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1941 to early July 1944, it was under German occupation. In 1944, it was burnt down togeter with its 48 inhabitants. — Ed.) The village of Skryl-Sloboda is also nearby. Those places, I think, are well known to the famous local historian Ales Karlyukevich: he comes from that region.

Belarusian character in historical realities — It’s great that your characters are people with strong will, that they have a sense of pride and nobleness — they are not humble and slavelike. But there were such trends in our history: our ancestors were instilled a certain complex of backwardness and inferiority. All the best was either in the west or in the east. But not here! Orientations changed depending on whose power our lands were under. There is an interesting fact about the poet Maxim Bogdanovich’s father: an intellectual educator Adam Bogdanovich wrote the book “Relics of the Ancient Worldview of Belarusians” (first published in Grodno in 1895). In it there are speculations about the “North-Western Region” as a “wretched region”. Adam Grigoryevich writes about ignorant, slavelike Belarusians in this way: “Both life and work of a Belar u sian bear the sig nature of underdevelopment, backwardness, downtroddenness”. They say that because of hard work people did not have time to think, to live a spiritual life: “In the songs of ceremonial and everyday content there is no that powerful lyricism, which testifies to the power and freshness of feeling, which so favourably distinguishes the Great Russian song; almost all of them are plain, abrupt, not wellbalanced, are characterized by some kind of broken creativity, spiritual poverty”. But in your novels you show worthy, noble and beautiful Belarus. So why did it happen that nobility and honour were trampled down, lost? And such an attitude to his native culture could have been drilled into Bogdanovich’s mind, as a result he perceived his people so underdeveloped?

— I think it was drilled into… But still, at the end of his life, Adam Grigoryevich himself was critical of his research work. It is noteworthy that he came from the poor, received his education in parish schools and seminaries. And there children were brought up to be reliable gears for the state machinery of the Russian Empire. And it needed just this kind of people, from humble background. — Apparently, he had no gentry background to oppose this? — Of course he hadn’t! What kind of gentry could have been then? Even after the so-called Third Partition of the Commomwelth of Poland in 1795 everything started to decline. —  It’s well known that to a large extent character, worldview are shaped by the environment… — Yes, Adam Bogdanovich and tens of thousands of other students took into their heads and hearts all the imperial propaganda about humble people quite sincerely. As for Adam Grigoryevich, as they say, he was doing his best to become Russian, to take a foothold in Russian culture. After his studies, he tried his best to get into the circle of Russian writers, intellectuals. In the end, he even became related to Maxim Gorky. By the way, it seems to me that Mariya Myakota, Adam Grigoryevich’s first wife and Maxim’s mother, was not so nationally conscious as she is written about now. Yes, that was the time! And we should inquire into that reality at least a little if we want to understand those people, their actions. By the way, that’s what I’m doing, describing t h e a dve ntu re s of my c h ar a c t e r s Pr ant i s h Vy r v i ch an d B av t r am e y Lyodnik in an even more distant time, i. e. the 18th century. As for Maxim Bogdanovich, he was probably very sensitive to what was happening around him, and got matured as a person, as a creator indepenently. And then another wave rose in society. In Russia, the attitude towards national minorities and other cultures was reassessed. And this went hand in hand with revolutionary processes. It was an important part of that ideological flow. As we know, the

INTERVIEW WITH THE WRITER slogan on the agenda was the right of every nation to self-determination. —  And Maxim was a rebel by nature — that is why he was attracted by such ideas, and by the Belarusian language itself. — Absolutely! And I want to say more — in tune with our reality. I did not know the Belarusian language as well as the young man from the Volga Region, because I was born in the mid‑60s and lived in the city all the time. In the Russianspeaking environment. But I learned the Belarusian language as a teenager. And I know for sure that this is possible. That you don’t have to be so nationally conscious. You can do it yourself if you want to, if you really need it. You can come to your native culture with your own mind — if you have one. And if you have that distinctive feature, that innate and acute sense of justice in your character. And Maxim had a lot to admire! For example, it was enough to read a brochure by Pavel Sheyn, who called on educated people to collect folklore. Everything was written very clearly, motivationally, I would say. There were other similar things, and the library in the Bogdanovich house, as we know, was quite large. (As we were preparing the text for publication, we found an interesting text by Lyudmila Rublevskaya about a native of Mogilev, the folklorist Pavel Sheyn. She writes: “For many famous people a journey into science began with his booklet which encouraged people to collect folklore and instructed them how to do it. Shane was sent collected songs, fairy tales, proverbs, legends by Maxim’s father Adam Yegorovich, future academician Evfimy Karsky, classic of Belarusian literature Yanka Luchina…” — See: “Do you, Ganulya, sing this song? — SB, 21.06.2016. — Ed.) — Let’s turn from the rebel Maxim to your character. The very name Vyrvich comes from the word “pull out”. A very expressive word, one might say, rebellious. Let us remember our countryman, the great writer Alexander Green, an energetic

romanticist who, under the Tsarist regime, was imprisoned for his revolutionary activity. And his father, Stefan Yevzebiush Grinevsky, was from the Vitebsk Region (from the estate of Yakubenka: now the territory of the Glubokoye District). Kalinovsky was exiled to Siberia for his participation in the uprising. So, do you think that Belarusian romanticists are often rebelious inside, like your Vyrvich? — I will start by saying that you have noticed correctly about the internal energy of the character’s name in my novels. By the

at it from the outside, is just a glade: green and flat. Everything is can be seen, everything is clear. But try to walk through it… — And in this context the title of Ivan Melezha’s novel “People in the Swamp” from “Polesskaya khronika” (“The Chronicle of Polesye”) can be read not only as a study of the life of Poleshuks, but also more deeply and broadly: with extrapolation to the whole of Belarus and all Belarusians. — Probably, yes. The life of the Belarusians is, one might say, a struggle for survival at the crossroads of Europe, as they say, at the civilizational schism. Ignat Abdziralovich wrote about it well earlier in his book “Eternal way” — and his research has not lost its relevance. (Ignat Konche vsky, cre ative pseudonym Ignat Abdziralovich (1896 –1923, Vilna) is a Belarusian philosopher, poet, publicist, author of the essay “Eternal way” about the drama of the Belarusian historical fate. — Ed.) Of course, as Abdziralovich wrote, there are archetypes in the Belarusian national character, both eastern and western. In other words, there is Byzantine despotism and Western freethinking. Belarus is seen by it as the border between East and West. But we have tolerance and adaptability, developed through Family portrait: Viktor Shnip with his wife Lyudmila, son centuries of survival. This is such Maksim, daughter Veronika, son-in-law Pavel, grandson an increased ability to adapt, Konstantin and dog Hermione. Minsk, January 2018. to survive in adverse external circumstances, which Belarusians are often way, Pyotr Vasyuchenko (writer, literary faulted for. Sometimes this quality is even critic. — Ed.), I remember, also had a called conformism, but there is of course character named Vyrvich, Antoni, a sort of an obvious and significant difference in co-author of his novel “The Adventures of m e a n i n g b e t w e e n s u c h c on c e p t s . One Mumbler. Stories about Valent”. As far Abdziralovich explains all this making use as I know, one of his students actually had of historical realities. Imagine such a harsh the last name Vyrvich. But Vasyuchenko historical fact: in the course of history, wrote about himself, hiding under that Belarusians at times were exterminated by name, about his student adventures. And more than half! And under such conditions, Pyotr Vasilyevich, like me, tried to form our national character was being formed. his views on the Belarusian national myth. But tolerance and adaptability work in us, He studied the Belarusian archetypes. And as they say, on the subconscious level only he, in particular, compared the Belarusian to a certain extent. After all, as we are still national character with the mire. I like living, existing and developing, this is, of this very much! A classic swamp, if you look

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

INTERVIEW WITH THE WRITER course, due to survival mechanisms, there is a code for preserving the whole nation, not individuals. Under any conditions, the most unfavourable and catastrophic, it works.

Behind the scenes of adventurous novels — The re i s no doubt that the adventurous series of your novels is a peculiar, artistic study of our national character. However, on the Internet your works are callrd Belarusian

In fact, my characters lead me. After all, all of my works have their own internal logic. — Describe the moment when it was particularly brightly visible. — In the third book, for example, I decided to marry my Prantish Vyrvich. After all, I thought, the book would be the last one. I reasoned: to have a trilogy is quite good, and that’s enough. — Let me be more specific. Does marrying mean putting an end to all his adventures? — To make him happy! And with a happy character, it’s no longer interesting.

Bavtramey Lyodnik (actor Ivan Trus), Lyudmila Rublevskaya and Prantish Vyrvich (actor Georgy Petrenko) on the set of the film. A night shift at the Belarusfilm pavilion. 2019.

fantasy. And the magazine “Polymya” has recently started publishing the sixth novel in the series “The Adventures of Prantish Vyrvich”. Tell us: why, where does it all come from? Why do you write it? — I do not know. It is somehow… It’s not my fault, because that’s how it all happens (laughing). — Let’s put the question this way: does it control you — or do you control it? — Or, I would say, that they rule me: Vyrvich and Iceberg. — The two of them? — Yes, the two of them. — Someone who is embodied in the two takes you by the scruff of the neck and orders you to write? —  Oh, the secrets of creativity… When I finish the next volume, I say: that’s enough! It’s the last one! But they go on living. And I seem to know what will happen to them.

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I even invented him a bride. A good bride. Which will show Prantish how he was re-educated and what a difficult life path he has travelled. After all, it’s not just an adventure novel, but also a mentor novel or a nurturing novel. — Literary historians have some criteria for determining whether a charater’s life was a success or not. It is believed, in particular, that if the character of a book (or fairy tale) is finally given a worthy woman after all the trials, his “positiveness” is thus recognised. — And that was an unusual woman: a serf actress. Previously, Prantish could not even think about it — to focus on the Princess. And now he has reached the level in his development when he can marry someone like that. After all, they have a great love, an exceptional love. But this, on closer inspection, was in disagreement with the internal logic of the novel. Because

despite all this, Vyrvich’s noble honour, the core of his personality, could not make him give up his career, his position. Of course, he could get married — and he would be unhappy in the future. — You decided that his bride, by giving Prantish happiness, could make him unhappy… — Anyway, it would be wrong. And most importantly: the girl I found for my character was so self-sacrificing and in love that she couldn’t let it happen: to make her beloved miserable. It so happened that I had already finished the novel. My friends read it and said: It doesn’t make sense. I rewrote the finale. But imagine: I sent the first version to one of the Internet resources, to a digital library, and I had doublechecked it at least ten times. For some reason, I sent that draft, the first version, which I supposedly had destroyed. It’s good that I double-checked the message. And in that text Vyrvich was happily married! I was looking for the right version and couldn’t find it. So the characters reacted against. Vyrvich still wanted to stay with his Raina. Finally I found the corrected version on a flash drive and uploaded it quickly. And while the first version was online — maybe for a night… — it was downloaded by some pirates or robots. That was the version that got into digital libraries. And today, “The Adventures of Prantish Vyrvich” are travelling online in two versions. So I unwittingly, one might say, became the author of a postmodern novel in which there can be two endings. So when I was writing the fourth part, I tried to make sure that everything was logically correlated with both variants. — Your books are designed by the artist Veronica Shnip… — Yes, this is my daughter, the elder. She and my younger son Maxim are both artists. Veronika now has the surname Klimashevich, she is a very interesting interior designer. I can only dream that Viktor Shnip and I, with our minimalism, our unthrifty approach to life, will one day be able to make some corner of the flat according to her refined design. By the way, we have a grandson, Konstantin: he is three years old. So in

INTERVIEW WITH THE WRITER — At some moment it became clear to me that poetry and prose cannot be separated. Although prose and poetry go along seemingly different channels. That’s why I put into prose all those images that could be embodied in verse. That’s why all my novels, mind you, are filled with poems. Although I attribute authorship to other characters. It’s like playing with yourself. — Do you listen to literary critics, and what do readers say about your works? — When I write all my novels, I give them to my volunteer editors, my friends and acquaintances, to read. This aroundliterary phenomenon is called beta today. They read it and express their opinion. I am always very grateful to them. I aspire to have historians among my beta readers. The more eyes see my texts — the better, the correcter they will be. And I am very grateful to everyone who was able to notice something of their own in the novel. I consider people’s opinions. My first editor is

SB.BY

this reality too, life goes on — not only in novels and poems. — There are already six novels in your “adventure” series. Will there be a continuation? — It is difficult to say yet. I write well if I’m in a good mood. This is the sixth novel, and it was written when the film was being made. At the time, I couldn’t think about anything else. It was a crazy, hard work. I say: it cost me ten years of my life. — And how do you manage to do all this, working in a daily newspaper… — All thanks to the editor-in-chief, who allowed me to plan my time, to go to the shootings. And I was wrote the novel at night. — Do you type texts on the computer or do you write- according to the era in which the action takes place — with a pen? —  (laughing) There have been no geese in Minsk since the time of Vyrvich. Of course, I use the computer. — Do you make a preliminar y

During the filming of "The Adventures of Prantish Vyrvich"

plan-sketch in the process of work? That’s what Ivan Melezh is said to have done when he was writing “Polesskaya khronika” (“The Chronicle of Polesye”). — I am not interested in such a writing, with a plan, because the main thing in this case is sublimation. A plan after crazy newspaper work? Oh, no! This is my free time. Some people get into TV after work, and I get into my novel. I write the way I feel. — Inner impulse, inspiration? As a poetess, do you embody the images that are born at a certain moment? Or does any other “technology” work in your case?

my husband, writer Viktor Shnip. Anna Kislitsina, Anna Butyrchik and Oksana Bezlepkina read my novels. Of course, my translator from Pinsk, Pavel Lyakhnovich, who, by the way, is a good expert of weapons and martial arts. Historian Georgy Bartash always finds historical discrepancies. Tell me, shall I write about the Livonian Order or the Teutonic Order? If you are not an expert, you can write something wrong. So far, thank God, historians have not thrown shoes at me. After all, I work very much with historical documents. In particular, with digitised archives — I have a large library.

If I need something, I turn to the primary sources. Earlier I consulted with Adam Maldzis. (A professor, doctor of philological sciences, as well as a literary critic, prose writer, translator. — Ed.) I remember being helped by Anna Zapartyko, Director of the Belarusian State Archive-Museum of Literature and Art. Denis Martinovich, Mi k has Koz l ov sky, h istor i an f rom Molodechno, helped me in something. So I have many friends, good people, consultants whom I trust. I try to avoid discrepancies in the texts. No matter what fantastic events occur in the text, the historical background must be as believable as possible. — Did Vladimir Korotkevich come to you to express his opinion on what you wrote? — (smiling) Vladimir Semyonovich is always behind me. Behind me on the right. — It seems to us that today you are a kind of his spiritual heiress. He also loved to play, to rollic in his creative work. Let’s remember his “Rook of Despair”, his character Gervasy Vylivakha… — Without Korotkevich — I don’t know what kind of writer I would have been. And in general: where I would have been and what I would have written. Of course, Korotkevich’s influence on me was extremely strong at the time. For which I am still very grateful to him. I was still young when he died in 1984. I knew he was alive, and I thought: one day we would meet. — You said that you define your novel as a mentor novel (an education novel) and a travel novel. — Well, it shapes up like this… My characters teach each other during their adventures. They grow as individuals as they act, as the evens unfold. They “sharpen” each other. — We have noticed that you sometimes use mysticism as a spring in your plot. — That’s what Korotkevich did, too. But he also has alleged mysticism — and then its “disclosure”. The point is that there are secrets in life that we don’t know about for the time being. In addition, my Lyodnik also has exceptional abilities, but that can hardly be considered mysticism. I’d rather say that this is a completely unknown reality. Interviewed by Ivan and Valentina Zhdanovich

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

THEATRE

MORTAL BOREDOM IS LIKE MENTAL VIRUS The Belarusian State Puppet Theatre offers its spectators a chance to take a break from their daily routine by immersing themselves in the 19th century gentry’s worries. The comedy “Nikolasha” is a performance for those who likes both to laugh and to think…

Many people still associate the puppet theater with childhood. Whom are the evening performances 16+ played for? As a matter of fact, it is possible to perform grown-ups dramas with the aid of puppets and make spectators empathize with heroes of, for example, past epochs… Though at first it is hard to understand the anguish of mind of Chekhov’s Nikolasha, more precisely Nikolay Alexeyevich Ivanov who is being eaten by inner nihilism with typical misunderstanding of the meaning of life and lack of any aspirations. It would seem that a landlord, though impoverished, has everything, i. e. a status, a loving wife, another woman, lands, plenty of free time… Live and be happy! But the character of the twentieth century “feels neither love nor pity, but only despair and weariness”. It is definitely a mid-life crisis which is experienced by almost every modern person who has reached the age of 30–35. So, since this April the performance “Nikolasha” has been on at the Minsk Belarusian State Puppet Theatre which is based upon the comedy “Ivanov” by Anton Chekhov. The director is Honoured Artist of Belarus, winner of the National Theatre Prize, winner of the Russian National Theatre Prize “Golden Mask” Alexey Lelyavsky. The artist is Lyudmila Skitovich.

Fuss What is the actual conflict in “Nikolasha”? What is going on in this, let’s say, ambiguous play? What is it about and what is the main character like?

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

dead by that time) but there is no happy end: Ivanov shot himself. Why? “Youth has awakened in me, the former Ivanov has come to life!” — That is how he explains his last act.

Nikolay Alexeyevich Ivanov, an educated, intellectual landowner, is in debt. His wife Anna Petrovna (before her marriage — Sarah Abramson) is ill with phthisis. She denounced her religion and relatives and fell in love with her future husband and now she suffers from his indifference. Nikolay also suffers from it without knowing why. “Day and night my conscience

Vexation from idleness

PUPPET-MINSK.COM

Dolls for adults

hurts me and I feel deeply guilty but I don’t understand what my guilt is. Let alone the illness of my wife, absence of desire, eternal nagging, gossip… I die of shame at the thought that I, a healthy, strong man, have turned either into Hamlet, or into Manfred, or into superfluous people... This outrages my pride, shame oppresses me, and I suffer…” — confesses Nikolasha to the young Shurochka Lebedeva, who is head over heels in love with him and desperately dreams of bringing this sufferer back to life. By the way, Ivanov owes her father, who lives in the neighborhood, a big sum of money and, of course, marriage to his daughter can save the situation. Everything ends with wedding (Anna has been

Because of the pandemic the premiere was postponed several times. By the way, it is a curious fact: the play, written, according to Chekhov, for 10 days, caused heated disputes of contemporaries. The first performance was done in haste: there were only four rehearsals. At the premiere the actors were assisted by prompters, the performers improvised a lot. With time, the play still failed to find a unified understanding among critics. However “Ivanov” has lived through to our days and is staged at many theatres, though in different versions. For example, playwright Roman Dolzhansky offered such a version of the Chekhov comedy with drama elements (the performance is in the Russian Theatre of Nations): He turns Ivanov into a modern office clerk (in Chekhov’s play Ivanov is a nobleman) whose wife is very ill. Nikolay suffers from lack of sense, and only young Sasha, daughter of his creditors, whom Ivanov owes a large sum, of money, supports this restless young man. His role is played by Yevgeny Mironov, artistic director of the Theater of Nations, People’s Artist of Russia. He is paired with Chulpan Khamatova, Yelizaveta Boyarskaya and many other stars of Russian theatre and cinema. The director of the Belorussian version of the play “Nikolasha” decided to follow the traditional way: his Ivanov (actor Timur Muratov) is an unremarkable person: he

THEATRE walks along the stage, quietly indignant, his posture is typical… Not Don Juan, though his coat is bright pink and embroidered with roses. In a word, he is no hero. I can guess how difficult it is for the actor to play such a role: to outward seeming an indifferent person who, and at the same time, is tormented with remorse of inexplicit origin. All the female characters (including the ones who play the supporting roles) wear chic hats — they look like flower-beds! And unbearably boring conversations which, “according to etiquette”, should be carried on for hours on end. After all, it is Shurochka’s birthday: the guests have arrived!.. There is a clear-cut contradiction of superficial brightness, showiness and lack of any sense of what is going on.

Not a life but torment Fast excitability, involvement of others in his searches and ambivalence, and then fast fatigability together with inability (unwillingness?) to figure this all mess out…

Emotional burnout of the main character is evident, to say it in modern language. This is what Esenin said: “I have no pity, I don’t cry and I don’t feel sorry.” Nihilism of the 19th century has not become irrelevant, it has migrated to our epoch and has slightly different names. For example, well-known to all “I couldn’t care less attitude” — it is about the same, isn’t it? Or painfully familiar condition of “useagulnay mlyavastsі і abyyakavastsі da zhytstsya” (“languishing and indifference to life” only in the Belarusian version). It happens, doesn’t it? That is why the audience hall of the Minsk Puppet Theatre was full, in spite of pandemic and discomfort caused by medical masks, which make it difficult to breathe by the end of the first act.

The play has crossed two epochs, it still remains topical: only instead of spoons of gooseberry jam, the actors hold smart phones, and gossiping about private life of fellow citizens and acquaintances is on the Internet. “There is nothing new under the sun,” as wise Solomon said. And, yes, it is mortal bore when you live by momentary passions which, as you know, quickly fade… Without thinking about the cause of events and why life is the way it is.

Jokes mixed with tears Alexey Lelyavsky clearly defined the genre of the play: comedy. And, indeed, the audience laughed every now and then at the jokes pronounced by Chekhov’s characters. Most of all Misha Borkin (played by Valery Zelensky), a distant relative of Ivanov, made them laugh. He was chronically tipsy and therefore always jolly. He invented all sorts of non-serious ways to improve the plight of Nikolay. And sometimes his humour was quite grim: for example, when he shot at the doll — symbolically it was Ivanov. He missed! But here it is — a Chekhov shotgun, which, according to the law of dramaturgy, if it appears in the first act, it always fires at the end of the performance. It did… How silly. It is silly not to notice the taste of gooseberry jam over the small talk. Not to notice a sacrificial love of two women, even one of them is hard to find for someone in the whole life. It is stupid to live without appreciating the moment “between the past and the future”. Probably, this is what Anton Chekhov wanted to say when hastily creating another immortal masterpiece. And we have heard it, through the ages. By Alisa Gungor

What do we spend our lives on! On petty quarrels Stupid words, small talk, On resentment and anger — again and again. What do we spend our lives on… But it should be spent on love. We burn our life to ashes all for something shallow For boring things, unnecessary worries… We come up with masks for the sake of general public... What do we spend our lives on! But it should be spent on affection. We melt life into dark boredom, “Image” and “prestige”, unnecessary experience, Lies and bragging, easy money What do we spend our lives on?.. But it should be spent on friendship. We are all in a hurry, we are getting something, We are all looking for something — and lose more; We save everything: gold, rags, and silver… What do we spend our lives on! But it should be spent on doing good. We worry, we shout, we suffer over trifles; We are serious about choosing clothes. But no matter how long you choose — you won’t choose the right one What do we spend our lives on… But we should spend in on a dream. We are afraid of joy, we are afraid to believe in fairy tales, We are afraid of dreams, and tenderness, and affection; We are afraid to fall in love, so as not to grieve afterwards… What do we spend our lives on?! But we should just live!

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

SPECIAL

In honour of the 90th anniversary of the birth of the famous Belarusian writer Vladimir Korotkevich, we publish his fairy tale “The Devil’s Treasure”. It was translated into Chinese by Sun Fanqi.

Sun Fanqi was born in the Chinese city of Dalian (Liaoning province). In his homeland he completed 9‑grade school education, after which he came to Minsk together with his mother, a university

teacher. Then Sun Fanqi was 15 years old. He studied in the capital’s gymnasium, then entered the Belarusian State University. Now Sun Fanzi is a 4th year student of the Faculty of Radiophysics and Computer Technologies (specialization in aerospace, radioelectronic and computer systems and technologies). In addition to his studies the boy is learning the Belarusian language. According to him, “it is similar to the Russian language and has its own beauty and peculiarity”. He also knows English and does translations, plays table tennis and the guitar. What attracted him to the work of Vladimir Korotkevich? — He is an excellent writer of the USSR. His famous works such as “The

Wild Hunt of King Stakh” and “The Black Castle of Olshansky” were made into films. I was introduced to this Belarusian writer by Ales Karlyukevich, director and chief editor of the publishing house Zviazda. He recommended me to translate the works by Vladimir Korotkevich. I read them and liked them. I’m also planning to translate “The Wild Hunt of King Stakh”. Sun Fanqi speaks about the Belarusian land with no less admiration: — The nature here is very beautiful. There is a lot of snow in winter and everything blooms in summer. It is a pity that it is short. I really appreciate this time. Especially when there are kebabs and pickled cucumbers.

Vladimir Korotkevich

THE DEVIL’S TREASURE

In some beautiful land, a little closer than the Sun and a little further than the Moon, a land rich in golden fields, clear rivers, blue lakes and dark forests… In short, in the land where you and I live, there was, and maybe there is now, a house. And a peasant named Yanka lived in this house. He was as healthy as a bison, kind and not very wise. He had fifty sons, forty oxen and a cat. Well, maybe not fifty sons, but three, not forty oxen, but two. But he had a cat, you can believe me. It was motley. With four paws. With one tail. Yanka ploughed the land, grazed cows and clouds. And he would have lived very well if trouble hadn’t fallen on his shoulders.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

It was a long time ago. It was so long ag that there were still devils in Belarus. And each of those devils had his own place of work. One lived in water, grazing pikes, line and perch. It was green and shaggy and looked like a bog’s clump. It was called Vodyanoy. The second lived in the forest, grazing deer and looked like a mossy stump. If you meet one, you can’t tell the difference. He was called Leshy. But there was also a third who lived at home and herded crickets. He was the most harmful. He had horns like a goat, teeth like garlic and a tail like a broom. And he took fancy to Yanka’s house. And not out of spite, he was just a prank-

ster. But his pranks made Yanka want to cry. You bet! You also play tricks not out of anger, don’t you? Well, sometimes it makes your parents cry. Too bad! There was no peace in the house. He would braid the horses’ mane so that it’s impossible to comb it later, but everyone blamed the sons. He would

SPECIAL lick cream off milk, but they rebuked poor cats. Sometimes in winter he would howl in the chimney so scary that a cold shiver ran down the spine and the family were afraid to go out. Or he would climb up the chimney, slide down and dump soot into the cabbage soup. It happened that in the morning a pie was taken out of the oven and, to everyone’s surprise, there was a small imprint on it. The devil had sat down on hot dough to rest and warm himself. There was no peace at all. Yanka would go to hayloft to sleep, even when it was cold. Almost froze poor children. And finally, because of these damn pranks, he decided to board up the house and leave it with children, horses, oxen and cats for somewhere in the world. He left his homeland, dark forests, clear rivers and waters. And there would have been a peasant’s house less in Belarus if they had not heard heavy steps on the road one evening. Tupu-tupu-tupu, Bear wears a stupa. In the stupa mixed There is sugar and nuts Fruits, chocolates, Fabulous, sweet. Through fields, forests For Sashkas and Marinkas Bear wears a stupa. Tupu-tupu- tupu... There was a man with a bear. They walked from village to village.

The man sang songs and played the dulcimer. And the bear showed how women carry water and how children steal peas. He and the bear lived on it. — Bless you, Yanka. Won’t you let Bear and me stay overnight? — the man asked. — I don’t mind! Stay overnight, — replied Yanka. — Except that I myself sleep in the hayloft. — Why? — The devil is in my house. He brawls so much that it’s unbearable. Believe it or not, he rests on pies. He howls in the chimney. And sometimes at dark nights, something in the fireside glitters like flame. It’s scary. — Ge-uh — said the man. — Not everyone is as unreasonable as your father’s children. To make me as well as the bear be afraid of a devil! It has never happened in the world. — Then go. Eat some cabbage soup. There’s also a pot of stewed turnip in there, so if nothing happens overnight, you’ll be something to eat in the morning. And I’m going to the hayloft. When it gets dark, I’m afraid to go inside. So, the man had a snack, fed Bear and fell asleep on the bench. And the bear lay down for the night near the stove and began to snore. It was so long ago that there was no potatoes in Belarus. It’s unbelievable. Instead of potatoes, turnips and rutabagas were stewed. So the man slept and was dreaming of a tasty turnips breakfast he would have in the morning. As soon as night came — the devil was right there. He rolled down the chimney, lifting a whole cloud of soot, and started snooping around in the stove, such a rascal. As they say, as soon as you are outside the threshold, he starts eating the pie. He picked up the lid. It smelled good. “Yeah, turnips. This is exactly what I need. I love turnips.” But it’s dark in the stove, like… in the stove. Then the

devil moved the stove-lid, pulled out the pot, sat down with his legs overhanging, and began to eat sweet stewed turnips, and threw the peel down. “That’s OK, the hostess will sweep the floor tomorrow. Well, she should have something to do, too.” A peel fell on the bear’s nose, and he woke up. Licked off his nose — sweet.

And the bear began to sniff in the dark, find peeling waste and champ. The devil heard someone downstairs champing and licking. He knew that there was nobody in the house but a cat. And there was a cat smacking and sniffing, and did not let him, devil, eat someone else’s turnips in peace!. He turned around and kicked the cat with his foot. — Apsik! Apsik, nasty thing! Well. And a bear is not a cat. And I never advise you to kick a bear. The bear got offended. He grabbed the devil in an armful, pulled him off. He crumpled him, ironed him, shook and pounded him with his paws, punched,

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

SPECIAL

beat, threshed, twisted him by the horns and thrashed the hell out of him. The devil managed to escape from the bear’s embrace by miracle. He barely climbed up the chimney, rolled off the roof and rushed away from the house. Into the forest, like a possessed. And the bear, having made mincemeat out of the devil, fell asleep and slept like a log. In the morning, everyone woke up and thought that the bear had been eating turnips. They were surprised that he was not afraid to climb into the hot stove and were happy that he had eaten very little. Well, the bear was not the first or the last in the world to be responsible for other people’s sins. Then everyone finished what was left in the pot. The bear even danced for the children. And they went with the man again from town to town, from village to village. Rain or shine. Tupu-tupu-tupu, Bear wears a stupa. But since then the devil’s tricks suddenly stopped. Horses were healthy, there was no soot in cabbage soup, no one rested on pies. It’s true that someone sometimes howled in the chimney, and something glittered out of the stove but it could be endured. Yanka changed his mind to leave his house. But mind you, this is not the end of the story. Once in autumn, Yanka was ploughing his plot for winter. It was wet and raining, there were low black clouds. Suddenly he saw, from under the clouds, from the very horizon, someone walking towards him on arable land. He looked

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

closer — yeah, old friend, the devil. He was walking, all wet, like a puppy in the rainstorm. On each hoof, there was a lot of clay. A huge drop was hanging under the nose with cold. He had no handkerchiefs. Just like you, sometimes, when you are at home. And you can’t blow your nose with a hoof. He looked so unhappy, so pitiful and wretched that even Yanka felt sorry for him. — Where are you going? — So, — said the devil. — Around the world. They got silent. Then the devil asked: — Can you tell me if you still have that cat? Yanka was not a very wise person, and he didn’t know what cat he was talking about. — Of course, I have, — he said. —. And she has six kittens, too. — Are all of them like their mother? — Yeah. All motley, with four legs, one tail. — With paws, with paws, — said the devil. — I remember those paws. — By God, there are six of them! — Well, I’ll probably never come to you, — the devil sighed. — But should have. I really should have come. — Why? — Ao! I buried a copper pot full of gold in your oven. Treasure. And I want to dig it out, but as soon as I remember your cat — brrrr! — well. Let it be gone. — Well, if you freeze, come. You can cook turnip, dandle children. — No-no. I am afraid of cats. And I can’t even think of turnip. I’ve had enough of it. So he went to the field, in the rain, barely dragging his heavy feet. Such a hapless poor guy. And Yanka finished his work and went home. And only there did he remember that something in his stove was glittering, and the devil talked about some treasure.

He started digging in the stove — and here you are! — he dug out a huge burntout copper pot with gold and money. Like a flame, the light spread all over the house. It was so bright, so burning, so hot that everyone started to take off their clothes. The devil still used to come in heavy frosts after that. Just asked for the cat to be locked in the pantry. He cooked cabbage soup for Yanka and dandled the children. From that time on, the proverb goes that “for those who are happy even the devil dandles the children”. Yanka made use of the devil’s treasure by building new houses, barns, hayloft, new stables for himself and the whole neighborhood. He planted the gardens, set up a mill. All the peasants have forty sons and daughters, forty horses and oxen. And all the houses look like a bell. And in every house there is a basket on the window, in the sun. And in every basket there is a cat. And each cat has six kittens. What a joy! And so, if you live happily and safely, never tease a bear in the zoo and never throw anything at a cat, not even a handful of soft soil, to say nothing of a stone. After all, once. they did good to you and you feel nice today. And in general, do not throw anything at anyone and do not tease anyone. In this case everyone will feel fine on this beautiful land, which lies a little closer than the Sun and a little further than the Moon. People will work, cats will purr, and bears will carry sweet stupas for you and all other children… Tupu-tupu-tupu.

PERSONALITY IN ART

Artist Vasily Sumarov with his daughters Darya and Katerina, also artists, against the background of his portrait

WORLD IN DIFFERENT TIME DIMENSIONS To understand the origins of Vasily Sumarev’s work, one must go back in time almost half a century and visit his studio. This is always desirable when writing about an artist, but in relation to Sumarev it makes particular sense. It’s quiet in his studio now. But it used to be full of kids: they painted, modelled, made prints from engravings, wove tapestries on homemade looms… There was a spirit of collective creativity there. And outside the atmosphere of constant invention and sincerity of feeling it is difficult to imagine the art of Sumarev.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

PERSONALITY IN ART He painted and did craftwork since childhood. He helped his father and brother in carpentry and attended the Children’s Art Studio of the Railway School as long as he can remember. He studied at Minsk

of life, the richness of colours. He turned to Kustodiyev and through him came to understand the importance of folk sources in culture, was fond of primitivists… And after that the most important moment in his

Vasily Sumarov's paintings never go unnoticed

Art School and then at the painting department of the Belarusian Institute of Theatre and Art. Those years coincided with a very interesting period in the Belarusian art, when a new post-war generation of young painters integrated into it. They infused the well-established atmosphere of creative life with the spirit of boldness and a search for the truth of life. That was the time when Mikhail Savitsky, Georgy Vashchenko, Algerd Malishevsky, Georgy Poplavsky, Boris Zaborov started their creative work, when much was re-thought and rediscovered, when every exhibition sparked heated debates, which fascinated not only students, but also young teachers. It was in this environment that Vasily Sumarev was formed and acquired not only a mastery of fine arts, but also an artistic taste and a view of life and art in which he sought his own baselines. He learned from Konchalovsky the fullness of feeling

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

life came when it became necessary in his own way to rethink bona fide learned textbook concepts and to begin the formation of his own creative position. Sumarev’s first works showed him as an original artist. His graduation painting “Rafters” was shown at the All-Union review of art graduates of art schools. Also in 1966, he showed a whole series of the first independent works which he had brought from his trip to Leningrad and Karelia at the Republican exhibition of works of young artists of Belarus, i. e. “Townscape”, “Northern Village”, “Quarry”, “Chemical Plant” — the last was selected for the All-Union youth exhibition. All these works were distinguished by expressive colour and form. But these qualities were particularly acute in “Chemical Plant” — a harsh and somewhat urban picture. The artist conveys the sense of angularity and comfortlessness of an industrial complex in gradations of cold black

and white tones, in contrasting comparisons of planes and volumes, in sharp angles of factory buildings over the river surface, in the rhythm of rising pipes, for which it seems to be too tight in the picture format, and which dilate it, giving the composition internal tension. The state of certain detachment that is characteristic of this landscape is gradually replaced by the feeling of lyricism and personal involvement in the event. These qualities gradually become more and more characteristic of his oeuvre. In the “Frost-dew” landscape gloomy colours retreat into the background, as if setting off the special mood of waking frosty morning, when everything is still in smoky hoarfrost and seems half-real, but it is already penetrated by the rhythms of the coming day and warmed by the warmth of human presence. Small figures in the foreground, clumps of silvered trees form a rhythm of circular motion that draws the spectator into the world poetized by the artist. Sumarev perceives this world as if in several dimensions, where real and composed, seen today and coloured by memories of childhood merge… The artist sees his hometown in versatile angles in the painting “CHP‑2”, created to the 900th anniversary of Minsk. He does not take the well-trodden path of direct opposition of the new to the old, although his composition combines architectural images from different epochs. These images reproduce fragments of reality, the very nature that is always before the artist’s eyes — he sees it from his windows, or on the way to his studio or on the way to the city centre. There is also a place for the house where Sumarev was born and grew up, a story of the people and their everyday concerns. The everyday life of the suburbs is recreated with remarkable warmth. But corners of Minsk are transformed into a new composition, where familiar details, seen at an unexpected angle, intrigue the viewer. It’s all slightly reminiscent of old prints with urban perspectives framed in narrative scenes. Sharp eye, observation, direct impressions of what he saw in life and an keen interest in tradition, the rethinking of the

PERSONALITY IN ART experience gained at the institute and the search for his own painting style — all woven together in Sumarev, determining the diversity of his creative aspirations. His works known by publications may give a misleading impression that the artist was developing one-sidedly. In reality this is not the case. Yes, in his early attempts to address a civic theme there are timid echoes of the “severe style” in the art of the early 60s — the monumentalism of images and generality of forms. Such are the paintings “Letter”, “Return” and “Literacy campaign”. However almost at the same time Sumarev paints a whole series of pictures, in which various genres find an unexpectedly new and interesting interpretation. The combination of landscape and genre painting in a single composition with many everyday scenes, which develop the work begun in “Frost” and “CHP‑2”, but with a more pronounced penetration into, I would say, representational folklore, becomes a principle of his painting. Sumarev with a kind of rapture plunges into this “microcosm” of stylized images that opens up before him, revealing a predilection for “miniaturization”. Some of the works created in this manner are quite small in size, but the details and human figures are meticulous, each with its own gesture, mimicry and character. For example the author draws a whole series of scenes on Sunday town square with a circular chain of buses, shop signs and the queue at the kiosk. The picture is called “Sunday” and

sparkles with colours of festive rainbow, permeated with high spirits and light. In another work, “Jolly Winter in Loshitsa”, the same inexhaustible imagination and almost childlike open-mindedness create an image of festivity of life. The very plastique of colour, its musicality and trembling convey a sense of winter fairy tale inhabited by merry people — boys and girls who look like “tin soldiers”. Giving all of himself to children and truly believing that there is a little artist in every one of them, Sumarev inadvertently experiences the charm of their unbiased free play of subjects, enchanting colours and bold compositional and plastic constructions. Perhaps it was only his professional exactingness and sense of humour that protected him from deliberate primitivism, which he could have easily got into, as he tried to paint even purely thematic works timed to the occasion, such as “Physical Education and Sport” or “Always on the Lookout”, in the same half-joking manner of amateur painting. The same deliberate flair can be felt in the “fire” colouring of the sultry orange composition “A Hot Day. Firemen Training” (early 70s) with fiery red cars and human figures, steam engine smoke against the background of the city panorama with slogans on houses and a couple in love near a fountain, with a bustling granny driving a goat into the courtyard. Everything here seems toy-like, almost fairytalelike. The long and somewhat prosaic title of the painting stresses its narrative structure and unhurried flow of

thought. The artist seems to leisurely observe the scene from above. I have noticed that Sumarev’s perspective composition with its invariably high, as if thrown back horizon, enables the artist not only to maximize the view area and populate it, but also to fill the space as a conventional environment. This technique is used especially vividly in the painting “Day Awakens”. The conditionality of the space is underlined here by a very refined, slightly silvery colour, glittering like precious metal. This approach will always be characteristic of Sumarev. In “New Years is Coming” a New Year market is transformed into a colourful kaleidoscope. The colour of the marketplace, dominated by the chilly combination of crimson, yellow and light blue, the carousel-like composition winding around a huge tree with its lace of branches and flocks of birds, and finally the market spirit reigning over the market — all this is captured by the artist’s keen eye who can not only notice typical details, but also organize them and subject them to the logic of the composite structure of the painting. Therefore, the multitude of scenes, episodes, plots does not destroy the integrity of the impression and does not tire the viewer. For all the “verboseness” of his works Sumarev remains an interesting and thoughtful conversationalist. This is guaranteed by the trusting intonation with which he addresses the viewer, while always keeping a distance, without breaching the measure of conventionality, beyond which the art of description of everyday life turns into a boring repetition of

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

PERSONALITY IN ART the well-known. This is why one returns with such interest to his works, even those that are well-known and have been seen many times. “My Home” occupies a special place among them. Painted in 1970, it was shown at many exhibitions and rapidly gained popularity. Now the painting is kept in the Tashkent Museum of Art, and at the order of the Ministry of Culture of Belarus Vasily Sumarev made a repetition, and placed it in a carved wooden frame made by himself. The painting “My Home” joins a series of large-scale works of national painting that provides evidence that the Belarusian art school occupies a prominent place in the diverse panorama of Soviet art of the 1970s. It offers a bird’s‑eye view of Minsk. The central place on it is occupied by a red two-storey wooden house. It was in this house, close to the railway, where the artist was born and grew up. At that time the painting, thanks to its festive atmosphere, was perceived as an optimistic slogan. In numerous scenes, which look like shots of a film, Vasily Sumarev presents the world of his childhood. In one of the windows of the house neighbours are celebrating a wedding, in another they are drying fish; outside the painting characters are talking, doing gymnastics, reading a book. The world of one’s home is saturated with details of everyday life, remembered by the artist’s childlike gaze. The artist removes all sad and sorrowful things from his memory and shows us the purity of children’s hopes and aspirations and the warmth of the elders’ care. “My Home” expresses to a greater extent than other works, the artist’s view of life. It focuses on one of the main lines of his work and generalizes his quest. Critics have noted that this painting belongs to the group of works which transform the traditions of folk pictures and miniatures, taking into account modern artistic merits. The narration is made up of many events, occurring simultaneously in the same place. Making use of folk art stylization, Sumarev does not do it in a speculative manner or in pursuit of fashion, but due to his natural attraction to the roots of “naive” art. He organically thinks in these

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

categories, and each work visibly expresses the artist’s personal approach. “My Home” is really the house in which he was born and grew up; it is, in a way, a “family photo”, capturing relatives and neighbours, memorable episodes, feelings of childhood, adolescence and youth, which are put together in a peculiar panorama of life. It is developed against the background of the construction of a new town, flying helicopters, running electric trains… And in this variegated, but reasonable stream, the cheerful red house floats through the years like a fantastic ship. It once seemed enormous, permeated with

sunshine. It remains so in the painting, filled with the glow of colour, with the windows wide open, where there are weddings, people dream, read books, dry crucian carp, where they live a simple, ordinary life. Later the artist returned to this favourite subject more than once. He wants to take a closer look at what is happening in “his” home. He enlarges and creates a close-up view of a window. This is how the picture “Wedding” appeared, painted two years after “My Home”. The desire to separate the window with a wedding in an independent composition is very indicative. It reveals the artist’s

PERSONALITY IN ART

The painting “My Home”, which later became one of Vasily Sumarev’s most famous works, caught the viewer’s attention at the 1973 All-Union exhibition in Moscow. Soon after the exhibition, he became one of the young artists from different republics of the Soviet Union, whose creative portraits were prepared for the series “New Names”. need to proceed to the portrait characteristics, to tell about the inhabitants of the house in more detail. He makes one more step in this direction — in the same year, he creates “Still Life with Laska”, in which we already see the house from the inside in the figurative images of things-portraits, as if representing their owners. There is a window, one wing is open to the sunny world, while the other is covered from prying eyes with a crumpled newspaper; a table divided in two — on one half there is a white tablecloth, a cup, a milk bottle with a flower, under the table there is a lop-eared pooch called Laska, and on the other half there is a chopping board and a meat grinder with blood-red minced meat. The author puts symbolic meaning into things, underlining it by the tonal division of the composition into light and dark halves, as if separating “good and evil”, unselfishness and gluttony. Though this symbolism is somewhat notional and straightforward. Materiality of form and solidity of pictorial texture are perceptible in things themselves, while their inherent metaphorical character bears a clear philosophical meaning. Sumarev is able to combine naivety with seriousness and provoke deep

thought, remaining true to the traditions that nourish his art. And to those means of representation that define his painterly vision. In this sense, two of his works, painted at different times and on different subjects, are indicative. One is dedicated to the revolution, the other to war. In the painting “October”, the image of time is associated with the images of art during the revolutionary period. It is conveyed in the sharp characteristics of form and colour, the symbolic structure of the entire composition, perspective shifts, energetic angles, turning the city into a globe, girded with beautiful demonstrations. The panorama of events is viewed from above, as if through the years and distances, which gives the painting a monumental scale, despite its small size. Symbolic generalization, which Sumarev achieves in this painting and which may not seem very characteristic of his style, is nevertheless inherent in the artist’s world outlook and in it one can sense Sumarev’s intonation and that particular figurative vision that distinguishes his entire oeuvre. In his time, Vasily Sumarev was impressed by the landscape of Novogrudok, the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The artist saw in this historic corner of Belarus a theme, the embodiment of which can be worked on for a lifetime. In 1976, he painted “Tale of Novogrudok” — a romantic landscape, bathed in moonlight. The image of a unique hilly landscape and ruins of an old castle reinforce the feeling of touching a legend. But the painting “Land of My Mother” is one of the best examples of the epic landscape in Belarusian painting of the 1970s. It represents a different for Vassily Sumarev principle of figurative language, one linked not with the principles of ornamentality but with the traditions of realistic landscape painting. Here there is a profound respect for nature (the artist made a lot of plein- air sketches) and the traditions of the school. In general, the artist’s landscape work deserves a special mention. In Sumarev’s

landscape paintings, the spatial environment becomes the habitat for his narrative stories, when various elements, i. e. colour and graphic, emotional and narrative, coexist on the same canvas in harmony or in contrast. Sometimes a subject motif introduced into a landscape becomes a mere plastic component of the composition. In “Five Minutes of Rest” one finds a convergence of different tendencies in Sumarev’s art, i. e. his striving for emotionality and philosophical comprehension of what is happening. Unlike other works by the artist, where usually all the accents are set, the composition is constructed and the plot is clearly outlined, in this case there is some understatement. It lies in the somewhat impressionistic interpretation of colour, in the indeterminacy of forms that lack sharpness and evoke a nostalgic feeling connected with the memories of war. Vasily Sumarev’s still-life paintings, though they stand apart in his art, reveal new and very interesting facets of his talent. He came to them proceeding from painting, striving to “revive” and supplement the subject with everyday objects and details. In “Blue Still Life”, “Oriental”, still-lifes “with a goblet” and “with a tray”, the objects take on an obvious self-value. In creating them, the artist pursued purely experimental tasks connected with mastering encaustic technology. This technology had an active influence on the stylistics of painting, determined a broad pastous brushstroke and changed the texture and character of colour, giving it decorativeness and richness. However, the artist has achieved results far beyond the narrow confines of experimentation. His painting later found a new meaningful qualities. The evolution of the work of Vasily Sumarev does not always fit into a temporary sequence. One tendency is replaced by another, then appears in new works and in a new quality, but something remains unchanged, i. e. his smiling, a little naive, sometimes a little harsh and close-minded, but invariably sincere and open-minded look at the world.

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

PERSONALITY IN ART level there: the table tops were painted, the tapestries were Honoured Art Worker of made. When the city officials Belarus Vasily Sumarev was asked me how to pay for the born in 1938 in Minsk. As a work, I replied: “I do not schoolboy he joined the art studio make money on children.” They looked at each other, at the Minsk Railway School smiled and promised to call. headed by I informed them that I did painter Viktor Versotsky. In 1959, not have a phone. The very next day the phone was inhe graduated from the Minsk art stalled, and soon afterwards, school and entered the Belarusian in 1989, I was nominated for the national award “A Friend State Theatrical Institute of Children”. And the day (Belarusian State Academy of before I visited the boardArts), Department of Painting. ing school for disabled children in Ivatsevichi district His years of studies coincided centre. And there I met a boy with a period auspicious for the who needed prosthetics. He, development of Belarusian art, poor thing, had climbed into when the spirit of daring a transformer box and his hands got burnt. And I aspirations and experimental promised: if I get a bonus, I’ll search actively infused the give the money to that child. atmosphere of creative life. His And I kept my word. — How much did you graduation painting “Rafters” get, if it’s no secret? (1965) reflected Vasily Sumarev’s — A thousand rubles. aspiration to vivid expressiveness, That was a lot of money back then. We, artists, used typical of the classics of Soviet to make good money. But “severe style” at that time. that’s not the main thing. I just always remember the well-spoken words — hurry up and do Honoured Art Worker of Belarus Vasgood to people. And I tried to be guided ily Sumarev has received a lot of state by that principle in life. awards. One of them is the Order of Francisk Skorina. By the way, he is a laureate Vasily Sumarev considers the years of a rare award “A Friend of Children”. The of his work at the studio to have been the point is that most of the painter’s creative best in his life, because every day he got the biography is associated with his work with highest spiritual satisfaction from commugifted children. Immediately after graduanicating with children. He said about it in tion Vasily Sumarev became head of one of the picture “My World”, where he showed the most famous children’s fine art studios himself among many students creating their at the Textile Workers’ Palace in Minsk. first “masterpieces”. And the window in the Working with children for many years has painting is so wide open that even swallows also influenced the artist’s work. have flown in! Swallows are like messengers of hope for the little creators of beauty. — You have always wanted to do something for children. And not for money but So what, in Sumarev’s opinion, is the for free. main thing in creation? It is simple, the artist says. Personal involvement in what you — I used to work for a year in Gorky do, a search for your “colour of time”, your Park in Minsk where I decorated two chilcolour-music chords, your “bluebird” of dren’s cafes. Everything was done at a high

БЕЛАРУСЬ. BELARUS 2020

creative happiness. A state in which admiration for the world prevails. And this admiration has to be conveyed to the viewer, for whom, in fact, art is created. More than 35 years separate the famous painting “My Home” from the recent “In the Land of the Fathers”, which adorns one of the interiors of the new building of the National Library of Belarus. It is a long time. But in both cases we can recognize Vasily Sumarev — by the poetic chamber tone of painting, by the poignant trustworthy attitude of the artist to his characters and the land they live in. “My Home” is a pictureremembrance, a genre scene, seen by an adult who restores in memory the half-forgotten events of early childhood. There is a house in which used to live. A house where the life of his friends, relatives and neighbours was peaceful and quiet. And peering into that seemingly small world, the author smiles ironically, loves it, and admires it with deep-seated warmth of his heart. And about the painting “In the Land of the Fathers” he said the following: — Every era leaves its marks in the history of culture. The town of Novogrudok is one of those legendary symbol-marks that have been embedded in the memory of the Belarusian people for centuries. When I first saw this city 37 years ago, with its Castle Hill and the ruins of the 13‑century castle, I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I could not help painting this miracle. Since then I have painted Novogrudok many times, coming there in different seasons. And the painting “In the Land of the Fathers” for the library is the result of my emotional attitude towards the history of my native country and, what is important, to the present day. For history changes, but good people remain — kind, generous, cheerful, sometimes sad, hard-working, courageous. It shows my contemporaries in the foreground in a cheerful, sparkling, festive atmosphere. There are wedding scenes, sports competitions and other lively everyday scenes. But I didn’t specify the place in the landscape panorama of the painting, I showed a generalized image of the motherland, that spiritual continuity of the past and nostalgia which must not be destroyed. By Veniamin Mikheyev

Vasily Sumarov "Holiday in the Tractor village" 1984

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editor-in-chief of the Belynichi newspaper “Zara nad Drutstsyu”

hOnOur TO The wOr fOr The bOOk, knOwd, respecT ledge — TO everyOne! tHday,

Happy bir museum!

MODernIty IOn raDIt th anniversary BaseD OofnArt its 75 ts celebrated

Belarusian St

сь. belaru

Econom y. Culture

ate Academy

www.belarus-magazine.by

Magazine for those who want to know more Six circulations – in Belarusian, English,