Igor Sergeenko: Naming schools after famous countrymen is a good tradition and a connection between generations
The People's Artist of the Soviet Union, laureate of the State Prize of the BSSR, is called one of the brightest pages in the folklore and musical life of our country. And also – the "father" of the Belarusian choir, which showed that music from the people goes straight to the heart. An outstanding musicologist, folklorist, teacher, musician, choirmaster, organizer and artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir – all this is about Tsitovich. A cheerful, witty, undoubtedly talented and life-loving native of Novy Pogost, who glorified his native village far beyond its borders.
In the northern region, 130 schools bear the names of distinguished figures and Heroes of the Soviet Union. Igor Sergeenko shared his opinion:
— In the Vitebsk region, a good tradition has developed to perpetuate the memory of fellow countrymen not only in the names of streets but also in educational institutions. This is a great undertaking that connects times and generations, forms national identity, pride in our Motherland, and, of course, is of serious importance in the upbringing and training of the younger generation. Last year alone, four schools in the Miory district were named after heroes who contributed to the victory over fascism during the Great Patriotic War. Today we are at the Novopogostskaya school, named in honor of the People's Artist of the Soviet Union G.I. Tsitovich. It is symbolic that the solemn events were timed to coincide with the International Mother Language Day.
Today, Novopogost School has over 50 students, and another 18 preschoolers attend its early childhood group. Next academic year, eight children will start first grade here. So, there is a future, which is encouraging, says director Olga Ustinovich:
— We are proud that the school now bears the name of our outstanding fellow countryman! This is both a triumph of historical justice and a long-held dream that has finally come true. By the way, the G.I. Tsitovich school museum was established here over 30 years ago.
Personal manuscripts by Gennady Ivanovich, books with his autograph, and original photographs are kept here like time capsules. Many of these photos (amazingly!) convey Tsitovich's light, very simple character. Correspondence with his family has also been preserved.
It is important to preserve what is one's own, native, and national, reflects Olga Ustinovich:
— What our brilliant fellow countryman himself valued and enjoined others to do. We don't have professional singers at our school, to be honest, but amateur arts are still going strong. Let the music play!
And it did play. With pure and clear, strong voices, it soared beyond the assembly hall. A pleasant surprise was the performance by artists from the G.I. Tsitovich National Academic Folk Choir of the Republic of Belarus in Novy Pogost, which will not be forgotten anytime soon. Tsitovich's daughter, Svetlana Gennadyevna, came from Minsk for the celebration. She is overwhelmed with emotion in her father's small homeland:
— I am in euphoria! I am grateful to the school and everyone who helped ensure that my father's name would be forever associated with it. This is deserved and incredibly touching… For me, this is a revival, a source of inspiration. As long as I live, I will also cherish the memory of my father, an extraordinary man who sincerely loved song and considered it the soul of the people.
"SB"