Apple flash mob, green souvenirs, and a themed wedding. How Apple Spas was celebrated in Alashki

Last Saturday, the village of Alashki in the Sharkovshchyna district became a center of attraction for talents from Belarus, Latvia, and Russia. Creative groups arrived at the regional festival "Apple Spas" with gifts. After a stylized "kumovanie" ritual, they put the brought berries and fruits into a common basket. The Alashki jam, unique in taste, became a symbol of their friendship.

According to the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, Boris Svetlov, "Apple Spas" in Alashki is a recognizable brand of the region, a celebration of folk art. Each participant is a master of their craft, whether it be folk dances, "malyavanki" (folk paintings), wood carving, or performing songs and ditties. In the shade of the old apple trees of the Sikora garden, music from different countries and poetic words sounded, and the aroma of festive dishes with apple filling, presented at the farmsteads of the village councils, filled the air.

– The tradition of celebrating the Transfiguration of the Lord in the homeland of the gardener-breeder Ivan Sikora began 21 years ago. Gradually, the cultural and mass event, during which the fruits of the new harvest are consecrated, expanded its borders, attracting the attention of residents not only from neighboring districts and regions but also from other countries, – said the Chairman of the Sharkovshchyna District Executive Committee, Dmitry Lomako.

– I have wanted to visit "Apple Spas" in person more than once, – noted the Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Daugavpils, Vladimir Klimov. – Today, I was able to see all this beauty with my own eyes. I think the festival has a great future.

To see and try everything

The program of "Apple Spas" was rich. Local artisans demonstrated their crafts and shared their secrets of mastery. Visitors could participate in an apple flash mob, create a picture out of apples, and purchase souvenirs depicting a green apple of the famous "Sikora's Memory" variety, which has long become a symbol of the Sharkovshchyna district.

– All the sites and courtyards are interactive, – emphasized Natalia Oreshkova, Deputy Head of the Education, Sports and Tourism Department of the Sharkovshchina District Executive Committee. – This attracts visitors' attention. When else will you have the opportunity to learn to weave a carpet from thick threads, as our grandmothers did, or bake pancakes on a griddle like talented housewives from the national cuisine club "Grutsa"? By the way, one of the first to bake a pancake was the Minister of Culture Boris Svetlov.

A Successful Initiative

In the midst of the celebration, an agreement was signed within the framework of the "Mayors for Economic Growth" initiative of the pilot projects competition announced by the European Commission.

– I am sure that the signing of this important document by representatives of the Sharkovshchina, Polotsk, Miory, and Ushachi districts will become an additional stimulus for progressive changes and transformations in the economy of these regions, – said project coordinator Natalia Efremenko. – The initiative, which involves six Eastern Partnership countries, is aimed at making local authorities generators of accelerated economic growth and entrepreneurship development.

The Sharkovshchina District Executive Committee is the applicant for the "Mayors for Economic Growth" project, which has passed the first stage of the pilot projects competition of the same name. Partners include the Polotsk, Miory, and Ushachi District Executive Committees, and the local foundation for promoting international dialogue and cooperation "Interaktsiya".

Family Tradition

For the past few years, the solemn wedding ceremony "Apple Wedding" has been held at the festival in Alashki. Two years ago, young spouses Artem and Lale Tarasenok pledged their fidelity to each other here.

– I am from a neighboring village, – said Lale. – The places are very beautiful. It seems like the wedding was yesterday, and today we came to the festival with our son Timur.

For many years in a row, the final of the district competition "Ruler of the Village" has been held on the Alashka land, in which the most active, hardworking, and creative families participate. This year, more than 80 families competed for the honorable title, 7 of which reached the final. Among those who represented the labor collectives of the district, the victory went to Sergey and Tatiana Rakitko and their children Denis and Veronika.

Among the families living in rural areas, the Molokovs took the lead. Last year, Ivan, Diana, and their children Nikita, Sofia, Annushka, and Nastenka became silver medalists of the regional stage of the competition.

Ivan works as a machine operator at OJSC "Zviranka". Based on the results of 2016, he became the owner of the honorary title "Person of the Year of Sharkovshchina". According to Diana, they prepared for the competition for a long time and as a result, they completed the tasks brilliantly, and even organized a master class on mowing for the guests.

– It is good when the district has its own unique holiday that unites people, inspires them to new creative ideas, and at the same time serves to preserve ancient traditions, – emphasized Boris Svetlov. – I am very impressed with what I saw in Alashki. It is interesting for guests, including those who came from abroad.

Diana Bernikovich, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye vesti".