Events of the Day of Belarusian Written Language will start in Polotsk

The Day of Belarusian Written Language in Polotsk unites three holidays - the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing, the 1155th anniversary of the city, and the Day of Written Language itself. The three-day celebration program will open on September 1 with a solemn ceremony for Knowledge Day "We Carry the Honored Name of Skaryna" with the participation of representatives of local authorities, educators, and students. Other events of this day will also be held under the banner of youth and the name of the Belarusian pioneer printer. Thus, the best connoisseurs of the life path of the famous countryman will try their hand at the Skaryna Olympiad. Lovers of historical reconstruction are invited in the afternoon for a journey through the school of the past, and in the evening - to the festival of medieval culture "Rubon".

Fans of literary and theatrical creativity will be captivated by a kaleidoscope of various projects dedicated to Skaryna: "From the Depths of Centuries...", "Descendants of the Great Skaryna", "In the Beginning Was the Word...", "We Are the Descendants of Skaryna". They will be held throughout the day in schools and cultural institutions of the city. The next day is also full of events, as on September 2, to the ringing of bells of all churches of the ancient city, the solemn opening of the Day of Belarusian Written Language will take place. Numerous participants, guests, and journalists will have to try hard not to miss anything interesting. And everything falls into this category: a colorful theatrical procession dedicated to the 1155th anniversary of Polotsk and preceding the solemn opening of the City Day; an international round table of Belarusian and foreign writers "Word Diplomacy: Francysk Skaryna in the Global Humanitarian Space", dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing; a scientific and practical conference "Polotsk Readings"; the final of the republican creative competition for young readers "Living Classics"; numerous exhibition projects and concerts. It should be noted separatelyto celebrate the Book and Press Festival, the opening ceremony of the Memorial Sign "Polotsk - Cradle of Belarusian Statehood" and the presentation of the unique art project "Three Sophias," organized by the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States.

In the evening, participants of the "Road to the Shrines" expedition will arrive in Polotsk with the Holy Fire from the Lord's Sepulchre. The expedition's events will organically blend into the overall fabric of the large-scale celebration. The main events on September 3 will be the ceremonies of the commemorative cancellation of an envelope with the original stamp "Day of Belarusian Written Language," the awarding of the National Literary Prize, and the handover of the Day of Belarusian Written Language relay to the city of Ivanovo, Brest region. Various thematic platforms and trade rows will also be open, and literary and musical and exhibition projects will compete for the audience's attention. The culmination of the Day of Belarusian Written Language in Polotsk will be the concert of art masters "Golden Collection of Belarusian Song." Undoubtedly, in the diversity of events of the three-day marathon, everyone will be able to find something interesting for themselves. And the organizers of the holiday have tried to make it special and memorable for everyone, as the international recognition of Francis Skaryna's heritage has been confirmed by a UNESCO decision: the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing has been included in the calendar of memorable dates.

Olga Bogacheva - BELTA.