The mythical dragon claims the title of the tourist brand of the Lepel region
The Belarusian Zmey Gorynych - the Tsmok - may become a symbol of the Lepel region. The mini-project to create a tourist brand for the district is applying for financial support from the EU program "Water, Nature, People in a Disappearing Landscape: Development of Sustainable Rural Tourism in Russia and Belarus," Olga Makhonenko, the project manager in the Lepel region, told a BELTA correspondent.
In Belarusian mythology, the tsmok, also known as the smok or chmok, was the ruler of earthly and heavenly waters, so its habitat was swamps and lakes, and its symbol was the rainbow. Tsmoks can be read about in Vladimir Korotkevich's novel "Christ Landed in Grodno." It is the classic writer who wrote that the habitat of the last Belarusian tsmok was one of the Lepel lakes. So, in the Lepel region, they decided that this legendary creature could rightfully be considered the tourist symbol of the district. Moreover, unlike its Russian relative Zmey Gorynych, the Belarusian tsmok had a much more accommodating character: it only harmed drunkards, hooligans, and harlots, while loving and harmonious couples could count on its support.
As Olga Makhonenko noted, mythological themes are currently very popular in tourism in Europe, and by taking a character from ancient legends as a basis, it is possible to develop tourist routes for its search and attract many lovers of exotic holidays to the region. By autumn, with the support of the European project, Lepel hopes to install a sculptural composition of the tsmok.
Nikolai Nikitin, Deputy Chairman of the Lepel District Executive Committee, said that the installation of a sculptural composition of the mythical serpent in Lepel is actively discussed in the region. Some support the initiative and see nothing wrong with the tsmok becoming the brand of the Lepel region, while others, particularly believers, fear the revival of pagan deities. "Meanwhile, mythology is part of national culture, which must be known and used beneficially," believes Nikolai Nikitin.
The project "People in a Disappearing Landscape: Development of Agritourism in Belarus and Russia" is aimed at developing tourism and agritourism and involving local communities in this process. It covers the territories of Lepel district (including Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve) in Belarus, as well as Polesye district (and the "Curonian Spit" Reserve) of the Kaliningrad region of Russia.
The EU is allocating more than half a million euros for the implementation of the project. The funds will be used for the development of tourist routes, support of the network of agro-estates, conducting seminars on experience exchange, and internships in Holland. It is assumed that one model agritourism estate will be created in each district participating in the program, the example of which will form the basis for those entering the new business.