Vitebsk region's malyavanki acquired the status of a historical and cultural value of the country
The traditional art of painted carpets of Vitebsk Pozerie has been included in the list of historical and cultural values of our country, which was created with the financial and consultative support of UNESCO. Malyavanki, as explained to "Vitebskiye Vesti" by Irina Shatilo, the leading specialist of the regional methodological center for folk art, is a type of folk art, the progenitor of which is considered to be Yuzef Drozdovich. The tradition of painting carpets was particularly widespread in the 1920s in Gluboksky, Sharkovshchinsky, Postavsky, and Dokshitsky districts. In these regions, a characteristic artistic style and compositional schemes were developed. The carpets usually depicted scenes of paradise as seen by the folk artist, native landscapes, and floral ornaments were applied along the edges. Malyavanki were used to decorate village houses.
The mastery was passed down from generation to generation. Among the prominent representatives of this art form, Irina Shatilo names Drozdovich's student Fyodor Sukhovilo from Gluboksky district, and Maria Larina from Vitebsk. Their works are kept in the funds of the Regional Methodological Center for Folk Art. Today, the tradition is continued by Svetlana Skovyko, the director of the Gluboksky House of Crafts, who shares the secrets of the craft with the younger generation.
Now, the list of intangible historical and cultural heritage of Belarus includes 8 folk traditions from the Vitebsk region. In addition to painted carpets, these are the Christmas game "Zhanіtsba Tsyareshki" in the Lepel district, the technology of preparing the traditional dish “Maslyany baran” in the village of Matyukovo, rye bread baking in the village of Derkovshchina, and the "Nasіts nametku" ritual in the village of Papshichi – in the Gluboksky district, openwork weaving and the Maslenitsa ritual game "Pakhawanne dzieda" – in the Gorodok district, and felt boot making – in the Miory district.
Tatsiana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti"