Ivan Sikora's apples and Jazep Drozdovich's paintings: what else is the Sharkovshchyna district famous for?
Celebrations in the Village
The tourist brand of the district is the green apple of the Belarusian variety "Pamyat Sikory". The juicy fruit retains its taste and attractive appearance for a long time, and can remain on the tree until late autumn, despite the first frosts. The reason for this is its Canadian-Ukrainian roots, as well as the favorable Alashkovo land for ripening.
The festival in the homeland of the gardener-breeder Ivan Sikora annually gathers a large number of guests. Initially, the colorful event had a local character, and then it went beyond the borders of not only the village but also the district. This year, creative teams from 17 districts of the Vitebsk region took part in the regional festival of amateur associations "Yablychny Fest".
On the recognizable logo of the festival, the apple is shown in cross-section. The seeds, arranged in the shape of a heart, symbolize the love and care of the district's residents for their land, and the slogan "Sardyechna zaprashaie Sharkauschchyna" emphasizes their warmth and hospitality.
The main celebrations within the festival take place in the shade of the old hybrid garden planted by Ivan Pavlovich. As a reminder of this, a monument to the green apple, named the tourist brand of the region, is also erected here. Its image can also be seen on the streets of the town and in individual settlements. Souvenir products in the form of everyone's favorite fruit are sold. Could the gardener-breeder Ivan Sikora have imagined that his works, efforts, and diligently conducted research would be so important for his descendants?
But "Yablochny Fest" is not the only significant event in the Sharkovshchyna district. In June, "Prydzisnenski Kryinitsy" takes place, in August – "Bulbyany Fest", which also aspires to become a regional event soon. In December, according to tradition, young musicians from many regions of the oblast hurry to take part in the regional festival of ensemble music "Raduga Sozvuchiy".
The festival of children's creativity originated within the framework of the agreement on cross-border cooperation between the regions of Belarus, Latvia, and Lithuania, which are part of the Euroregion "Ozersky Krai". The task of the competition for young talents is to revive, preserve, and develop national cultures, increase the level of performing skills, and popularize folk, classical, and modern music.
A bright palette of instrumental performances unites the children like a colorful rainbow in a single harmony of creative flight. Annual musical meetings are not only a competition but also communication, new acquaintances, and positive emotions. The main ideological inspirer of the musical celebration is the Sharkovshchyna Children's Art School.
"Grutsevskie" Delicacies
According to the skilled hostesses from the agro-town of Radyuki, ancient recipes are the richest intangible heritage, which is as easy to preserve as it is to lose.
For many years, the local House of Culture has been home to the folk club of Belarusian national cuisine "Grutsa," named after a unique dish that every local housewife knows how to prepare. Grutsa is aromatic pearl barley porridge with peas and sautéed onions. If desired, pieces of fried salo (pork fatback) can be added. This dish, along with oatmeal kissel, "ruli" (a type of pastry), and mushroom soup, has always been highly esteemed by the residents of Radyuki, especially during the Christmas and Great Lent periods.
For guests of colorful district celebrations, the club members, who were awarded the title of a national amateur collective in 2003, traditionally prepare at least two pots of grutsa. There are always many who wish to taste the delicacies.
The "Grutsa" club has over 10 members. They represent various professions, including former workers of trade, postal services, and social services. Many ancient recipes have been collected over the years. To preserve them for future generations, a series of booklets and brochures have been created, revealing the secrets of preparing "bulbyaniki" (potato pancakes), baked apples with aromatic filling, apple pies, kvass, and other dishes.
For the unique taste of "draniki" (potato pancakes), the residents of Radyuki recommend adding onions fried with pieces of salo to the potato mixture. You can also make a Belarusian-style pizza from potato pancakes by adding finely chopped onions, tomato sauce, slices of homemade sausage, tomatoes, and grated cheese.
Unusually tasty ancient dishes can be prepared not only on the stove or in the oven but also on a wooden log. Villagers jokingly call this simple device, which resembles a primus stove, a local know-how. A couple of light cuts, and the log, ignited from within, is ready to use. On it, during hot summers and frosty winters, one can bake the signature Radyuki pancakes with mineral water, fry eggs, draniki, sausage, and salo.
At the exhibition of aromatic dishes "Apple Food Court," which took place as part of a recent regional festival of amateur associations, the residents of Radyuki received a first-degree diploma.
In memory of a wandering artist
Our fellow countryman Yuzef Drozdovich repeatedly glorified the beauty of the Sharkaushchyna region in his bright "malyavankas" (folk paintings). The Y. Drozdovich Hermanovichi Art and Ethnographic Museum features interesting exhibits that tell about the life and work of the outstanding painter, ethnographer, and folklorist. There are his original paintings and painted carpets, photocopies of graphic works, three "kiys" (a type of wooden stick), and the sculptural composition "Eternal Wanderer" by Igor Golubev, which reflects the rich world of Yuzef Narcizovich's imagery.
The work of our fellow countryman, also known as the Belarusian Leonardo da Vinci, is continued by his followers. The walls of the district Center of Crafts are decorated with works by Anna Kurilovich, who once learned the art of painting from Yuzef Drozdovich. Later, she taught this skill to Lyudmila Mayak, and Lyudmila taught it to Olga Belosludtseva. By the way, Lyudmila and Olga are members of the folk club of folk masters and amateur artists "Toloka".
– "Malyavankas" are a kind of brand of the region, – says Svetlana Zaika, head of the "Toloka" club (pictured). – Art school teachers train their students in this skill, and many schoolchildren also attend the club created at the Center of Crafts. A bright "malyavanka" is a wonderful souvenir that tells about the carefully preserved traditions of the region. Practice shows that the followers of Yuzef's art are increasing every year. And this cannot but please those who are proud of the priceless cultural heritage of their small homeland.
The Whole Truth About the "Wise Men"
On the territory of the district, crisscrossed by the waters of the Disna River, there are several dozen monuments of culture and architecture, including ancient architecture and palace and park art. Old churches attract particular attention, for example, the Holy Assumption Old Believers' Ancient Orthodox Pomorian Church in the agro-town of Hermanovichi. The magnificence of this wooden shrine lies not in its lavish decoration, but in the simplicity and restraint of its architectural solutions. The church has historical and cultural value and is a monument of folk architecture.
By the way, the Old Believers of the Sharkovshchina region, although not numerous, carefully preserve their faith, passing down ancient traditions and the secrets of home cooking from generation to generation. A vivid confirmation of this is the amateur association of Old Believer cuisine, games, and rituals "Starovercheskie Stryapukhi" (Old Believer Cooks), which has existed for many years at the Bildyuzhsky Rural Cultural Center.
– We say that even a bad hostess can set a good table for Spas. This means that even if she cooks poorly, the vegetables and fruits grown on her plot will help her set a dazzling table, – emphasizes the head of the collective, Lyudmila Ananich. – We cook a lot, adhering to calendar dates. For example, for Christmas, we always serve kholodets with beans. During the Dormition fast, we make postniki, which are somewhat similar to holubtsi. We love to cook delicious "mudretsy".
This dish resembles draniki (potato pancakes) with a filling, which can be sauerkraut, mushrooms, meat, or eggs. A "mudrets" (wise person) is one who guesses what's inside.
"Starovercheskie Stryapukhi" are regular participants in many celebrations and festivals, including those held outside the region. No semi-finished products or preservatives – this is the secret to the unique taste of their dishes. The list of collected unique recipes includes over a hundred items. There are also "Zakidaniki," which externally resemble potato dumplings. Only the meat is not used as a filling but is mixed with the grated potato.
– We also bake bean cutlets according to a special recipe, – Lyudmila Anatolyevna continues. – And the most common dish of our Old Believers is skantsy, or ordinary oladyi (pancakes). They are "krapayut" (dripped), like many other Old Believer dishes. Every hostess has her own secrets. Recently, one of our grandmothers held a master class on preparing delicious gulbishniki with cabbage filling.
A story about the lungs of Europe
Sharkovshchina district borders five districts. The coat of arms of the town, approved 15 years ago, features red lingonberries, reminiscent of the beauty of the Yalnya hydrological reserve, known as the lungs of Europe. You can learn more about this glorious swamp by visiting the Hermanovichi kindergarten-secondary school, which has established a specialized environmental class called "Nature of the Native Land."
Classes in the renovated classroom are held for children and adults. The creators of this environmental project have paid special attention to the study of water resources, the careful use of water, its monitoring, and purification. Modern equipment, interactive exhibits, and displays facilitate more accurate research. The school corridor has also been transformed into a recreational area with numerous information stands detailing the pristine beauty of one of Europe's largest raised bogs.
The educational institution has been awarded the title "Green School." Under the guidance of biology teacher Marina Fyodorova, who was previously recognized as the best public ecologist in the country, students actively study the natural diversity of their native region and collaborate with various environmental organizations, including the Public Association "Aхова птушак Бацькаўшчыны" (Association for the Conservation of Birds of Belarus) and the district inspectorate of natural resources and environmental protection. Several students, as well as Marina Alexandrovna, are volunteer custodians for the international program "Important Bird Area" (IBA).
Years ago, on the outskirts of the swamp, which some also refer to as Belarusian space, an ecological trail called "Nature of the Native Land" was developed, spanning 2 km. Hundreds of people eager to immerse themselves in the world of pristine nature enjoy walking along these paths.
With Faith and Prayer
In the center of Sharkovshchina, a bust of the first new martyr of the 20th century, canonized in the Polotsk diocese, Archpriest Konstantin Zhdanov, is installed. Near the steep bank of the Disna River, the gilded domes of the Holy Assumption Church glisten in the sun's rays. The church was built through the efforts of the late priest. Much in the church today is reminiscent of the hieromartyr. For example, the floor tiles, which he diligently laid himself.
A significant portion of the funds required for the construction of the church was allocated from the state treasury by decree of Emperor Nicholas II. Icons and a large bell were purchased with money from Moscow merchants and wealthy individuals, and a gilded iconostasis was made, which remains a decoration of the church to this day. The church houses an icon of Saint Seraphim of Vyrytsa, who, as the residents of Sharkovshchina assure, donated a large sum for the construction of the church, as he was wealthy before taking monastic vows.
Nearby is an icon of the Hieromartyr Constantine and a reliquary with a particle of his relics. By the way, the sketch of the reliquary was done by Viktor Kruk, who, incidentally, is a member of the Belarusian Union of Artists and teaches at the local children's art school. The forged reliquary was made by a talented craftsman from Vitebsk, also a member of the union, Leonid Khomich-Mirzoyan.
The pastoral service of Father Constantine Zhdanov, the presbyter of Sharkovshchina, took place during the years of World War I and the establishment of Soviet power. His parents died, and two years after the birth of his son Grigory, his wife died. At that moment, the priest was only 29 years old.
Despite all the trials, he continued to serve, urged believers to rely entirely on God's will, opened orphanages, helped those in need, and taught in public schools. He headed the Berezvech women's secondary school, which was evacuated to Staraya Sharkovshchina.
In April 1919, the rector of the Sharkovshchina Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Priest Constantine, was martyred. Believers call him a true warrior of Faith, a warrior of Light.
For many years, the relics of the priest were kept in the Disna Church of the Resurrection of Christ, from where they were transferred last year to the Polotsk Epiphany Cathedral.
On March 11, 2020, by a decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the name of Hieromartyr Constantine was included in the Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church.
"Vitebskiye Vesti".