The best cultural institutions of the Vitebsk region have been identified

The award ceremony for the winners took place within the framework of the board meeting of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs, where the results of the past year were summarized. In the nomination "Best District (City) Library" the Novopolotsk Library named after V. Mayakovsky (Director Nadezhda Novozhilova) and the Novolukoml Library of Chashniki District (Head Nadezhda Vasilevich) were recognized as the best. Among children's institutions, the Polotsk Children's Library named after Leo Tolstoy (Head Zinaida Gumenik), and among rural ones, the Prudnikovskaya Library of Gorodok District (Librarian Lyubov Korzhova). In the category "Best District (City) House of Culture" awards of 100 base units were received by the Dokshitsy City Cultural Center (Director Kristina Gmyrak) and the Dubrovno District Center for Folk Art and Cultural Leisure Activities (Director Vladimir Babichev). The best House of Crafts became Shumilinsky (Director Angela Sergeeva), the best methodological center - Liozno District Organizational and Methodological Center (Director Anna Mokrousova). Also, awards in their nominations were received by the Ustenksy Rural House of Culture of Orsha District (Director Alexey Simash), the regional museum of the Hero of the Soviet Union Minay Shmyrev (Director Irina Shishkova), and the Vitebsk Children's Art School (Director Mikhail Klimenko). 10 students of art schools and 6 students of secondary special educational institutions were awarded.

Larisa Olenskaya, Deputy Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs, noted that last year the optimization of cultural institutions took place, which yielded visible results and allowed for significant savings. In 2014, 650 billion rubles were allocated for the maintenance of the network, 107 billion rubles were earned from extra-budgetary funds, and 87.6 billion rubles of sponsorship money were attracted. The growth rate of paid services was over 126% compared to the level of the year before last.

Significant funds were allocated for repair and construction work, but, as Larisa Olenskaya emphasized, they are extremely insufficient. Due to a lack of funding, the comprehensive development program for Polotsk is not being fully implemented. In particular, it was not possible to continue the renovation of the “Rodina” cinema, or to purchase lighting equipment, stage mechanics, and costumes for the city House of Culture. Cultural institutions in Tolochin, Braslav, and other settlements require reconstruction.

Objects of historical and cultural heritage deserve special attention. Last year, over 24 billion rubles were allocated for their restoration. Currently, work is underway to complete the dossier for the inclusion of the Transfiguration Church and St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Museums of the region held over 500 exhibitions attended by 700 thousand people. Museum collections were replenished by 9 thousand items. At the expense of the President of the Republic of Belarus Fund, an exposition "Wall painting of the 12th-19th centuries of the Holy Transfiguration Church" was opened at the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve. This cultural institution took 1st place in the nomination "Best Museum for organizing cultural and educational activities" at the national forum "Museums of Belarus – to the Third Millennium". Among the significant cultural events of last year is the creation of a permanent exhibition of copies of works by the Peredvizhniki artists at the Ilya Repin Museum-Estate "Zdravnevo". This is a gift from the State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota. Noting the achievements, Larisa Olenskaya drew attention to what has not yet been achieved. Among the priority tasks are the creation of the Vitebsk People's Art School Museum and the opening of a local history exhibition in Verkhnedvinsk.

Last year, the integration of rural public and school libraries continued. 9 integrated libraries were created in 6 districts. Book collections were significantly replenished.

Vitebsk region maintains its status as a festival region. Last year, 9 international and 23 regional arts festivals were held. As part of "Dazhynki-2014", a theatrical review of district and city brands and a rural youth creativity competition were held for the first time.

More than 38 thousand residents of the region are involved in amateur art groups and folk art clubs. By the way, the Lepel House of Crafts is the first and only one in the country to be awarded the title of "Honored Amateur Collective of the Republic of Belarus".

Behind all the figures and achievements are people dedicated to their cause. The Minister of Culture of Belarus, Boris Svetlov, who was present at the meeting, highly appreciated their contribution and recalled the words of the President of the Republic of Belarus, who noted that national culture is one of the fundamental foundations of independence, an integral part of the country's ideology. He presented a certificate of the Council of Ministers to Tamara Dzhumantayeva, director of the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, as well as diplomas

"Patron of Culture of Belarus" to the heads of enterprises that provided sponsorship for the event "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk-2014", – SOOO "Forteks – Water Technologies", Vitebsk branch of RUP "Beltelecom", Vitebsk branch of Belarusian Railway.

Tatyana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti"