New format of the Day of Writing in Polotsk discussed by working group headed by Liliya Ananich

The Day of Belarusian Written Language in Polotsk will be held on September 1-3 in a new format. The main themes will be the 1155th anniversary of the cradle of Belarusian statehood, the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing, and anniversaries of national literature classics. The large-scale national project will be implemented at the highest level and will have broad international resonance. This was stated at a meeting of the working group for the preparation and holding of the holiday, chaired by the Minister of Information of the Republic of Belarus, Lilia Ananich.

The discussion of issues was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Penin, Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee Gennady Egorov and his deputy Larisa Olenskaya, leadership of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, and representatives of the National Organizing Committee.

Problems Require Solutions

First, Lilia Ananich held a "direct line" and received citizens at the Polotsk District Executive Committee, noting that the authorities should always be in touch with the population. The minister was pleased with the active civic stance of the region's residents and their interest in solving socially significant problems.

Natalia Sleptsova, head of the "Media-mix" journalism studio, came to the reception with a proposal for cooperation. Ivan Ivanov, a participant in the "Polotsk zvyaz" historical costume folk theater, asked for support for the initiative to hold the "Rubon" medieval culture festival as part of the anniversary events, which will be done.

Several applicants raised issues concerning the work of the media and the dissemination of unreliable information, including via the internet. Each fact, said Lilia Stanislavovna, must be dealt with separately, and the law acts as a tool for regulating the situation. If business reputation is jeopardized, one can demand a retraction or defend honor and dignity in court. The media should ensure the free expression of beliefs and opinions, but at the same time provide truthful information and generally meet the demands of readers, viewers, and listeners.

Villagers

reported the planned closure of a small school in the village of Babynichi, attended by 35 students. Classes are conducted in Belarusian, and the students will be transferred to the Russian-language Vetrino Secondary School for further education. Parents of 10th-grade students are concerned that their children will not be able to adapt quickly and acquire knowledge to the extent that will allow them to enter universities. Lilia Ananich promised to consider the issue, taking into account all aspects.

Representatives of the creative intelligentsia expressed the opinion on the need to use modern technologies in outdoor advertising: LED screens would help to decorate the city. Polotsk residents also raised issues of improving urban infrastructure, in particular, the non-fulfillment of certain points of the Comprehensive Program for the Development of Polotsk, including the reconstruction of the former House of Officers building into a cultural and business center. On the site where a maternity hospital was previously supposed to be built (now a regional maternity ward operates in Novopolotsk), driven piles have been sticking out of the ground for many years, creating an unsightly view at the entrance to the city. A proposal was received to repurpose the unfinished facility into a youth dormitory.

The fate of the old bridge over the Western Dvina, which is in a pre-emergency state, also concerns citizens. Regarding this facility, as informed by the Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee Alexander Mikhalevich, design and estimate documentation has been completed, and the cost of capital repairs is 94 billion undenominated rubles. These funds are not provided for the current year, so only asphalt surface repairs will be carried out in May.

All the issues raised, as explained by the minister, will be voiced again at a meeting of the National Organizing Committee. Large-scale events help to transform a particular corner of Belarus, but authorities make decisions based on real financial capabilities.

255 Objects Planned

– Polotsk, as our shrine, the cradle of Belarusian statehood, deserves close attention, – said Lilia Ananich. – It must receive a new impetus for development,

including thanks to the celebration of anniversary dates. The maximum possible will be done this year, at the same time the work will continue after the holiday – as funds are earned and investments are attracted. It is gratifying that the citizens are making suggestions and showing concern.

A detailed analysis of the situation was carried out at a working group meeting. It was noted that the plan for preparing Polotsk for the Day of Writing includes 255 objects, including 58 from the housing and communal services sector. The amount of budget funding is about 13 million rubles, of which 11.105 million are funds from the district budget. Streets, courtyards, building facades will be improved, and Francysk Skaryna Square, St. Sophia Cathedral, and the Museum of Belarusian Book Printing will be renovated.

– We are setting the task to complete the main scope of work by August 1. The situation is under control, headquarters meetings are being held, and economic entities are actively involved in the common cause. We will hold clean-up days to earn additional funds and bring order everywhere, – reported the Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, Nikolai Shevchuk.

A Large-Scale Project

A large number of guests are expected at the Day of Writing, including representatives of diplomatic missions, twin cities, book publishers, writers, and journalists.

The cultural program of the holiday promises to be bright and diverse, with the involvement of the best creative forces. The Deputy Head of the Department of Ideological Work, Culture, and Youth Affairs of the District Executive Committee, Elena Astapova, proposed supplementing the traditional events with interesting event projects that will allow for a closer acquaintance with the achievements of the Polotsk region and Vitebsk region as a whole.

September 1 is planned to be dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing and to organize the National Children's and Youth Forum "Skaryna Days in Polotsk," symbolizing the connection of generations. September 2 will be the City Day – Polotsk will celebrate its 1155th anniversary, and in the evening, the grand opening of the Day of Writing will take place, the celebration of which will continue the next day.

A significant moment will be the opening of the commemorative sign "Polotsk – the Cradle of Belarusian Statehood."

National Literary Prize will be awarded, the republican competition of young readers "Living Classics" and the international round table "Consonance" will be held. Interesting thematic events will be presented by the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.

Among them are presentations of "Malaya padarožnaja knižyca" by Francysk Skaryna and the commemorative coins "Shliakh Skaryny", the premiere of the suite dedicated to the first printer by Tatyana Korotkina in the Saint Sophia Cathedral. Employees of the library system will organize literary venues, youth will be surprised by the creative project "We are in the theme!", "Belpochta" will create a small architectural form of a postman with a bicycle and will hold the cancellation of a festive stamp with an envelope.

The creative group led by director Nina Osipova is to prepare the holiday script by mid-May. It is necessary to widely inform the public about the celebrations and plan targeted tourist routes.

– This is a large-scale state project that will present Belarus with its richest traditions, modern achievements, and aspirations for the future, – emphasized Lilia Ananich.

Larisa MALASENYA, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye vesti".