Leaders of the regional review-competition «Best large family of Vitebsk region» have been identified
The leaders of the regional review competition "Best Large Family of Vitebsk Region" were recognized as Tatyana and Alexander Nikanchuk from Novopolotsk, raising three children (pictured). A total of 9 families competed for this honorable title. Even at the first task – the exhibition-presentation "Our Golden Hands" – the winners' stand stood out from the others. Even a regular family album turned out to be a small work of art.
And this is no accident, as the couple are artists. Both graduated from the Mir Art College, and then from the art and graphics faculty of VSU named after P. Masherov. Now the head of the family is an artist at OJSC "Naftan", and the mother runs her own business: she manages a framing workshop and a store for creative goods.
– The fact that we are in the same profession is only a plus for our family, – says Tatyana. – We don't have a spirit of rivalry, as some couples do. My husband has his own work related to creativity, and I have mine. We are interested in each other's affairs, we always have something to talk about. We involve the children in creativity as well.
The world of art for the Nikančuk couple extends far beyond their work and family. For example, Alexander's graphics adorn the walls of their building's entrance. Stork figures and a plywood miller settled near their five-story building are also the work of his skilled hands. As a result, their courtyard won a city beautification contest. Tatiana, on the other hand, is always ready to share her skills with others: she organized a puppet theater at the local church and conducts handicraft lessons with the parish children.
The elder son and daughter also have their creative achievements. Ten-year-old Mark won a contest for military equipment models made from improvised materials. His sister, Anastasia, who is close in age, in turn, made a costume that also brought victory. Three-year-old Sonya can only inspire everyone for new projects and successes for now.
The Nikančuk family also took a creative approach to creating stage costumes – the chosen color scheme combined with the symbolism of Novopolotsk. This is the best way to remind them of the city they represent and where they and their children were born.
Interestingly, although Alexander and Tatiana knew each other since childhood, their paths ran parallel for a long time. They studied at the same art school, then received the same specialty at a college and university, and participated in the restoration of Mir Castle. Their paths only crossed years later, when both returned to their native Neftegrad. Today, their marriage is 16 years old. The couple did not think they would have three children, but as the older ones grew up, they felt that a little baby was missing in the house. That's how little Sonya appeared.
– I think it's important in any endeavor to work on mistakes, which my husband and I always do. If we see problems in our relationship or family, we always discuss them with him, we are not afraid to admit our shortcomings, and we try to correct them. It's like painting a picture, then you analyze it, what worked and what didn't, in order to paint an even better canvas, – the interviewee is sure.
Other families also distinguished themselves in the marathon finals. For example, the Kravchuk spouses from Vitebsk, Elena and Oleg, and their heirs, were just one step away from absolute victory. Svetlana and Ruslan Maulikaev from the Polotsk district, who are raising five children, took third place. The remaining contestants won awards in various nominations or received special prizes.
By the way, there are over 7,000 large families in the region. And it is gratifying that among them there are such active, creative, friendly, and cheerful families as each of the competition participants.
Natalia Ryzhkova, "Vitebskiye vesti"