From poems to ear soup: the folk art, Belarusian poetry and folklore festival "Gorodok Parnassus" was held in the Gorodok district
The festival has been held since 2009. Over the years, it has become a hallmark of the district, bringing together all creative groups and artisans of Horadok, and hundreds of local residents. The forum also consistently attracts guests from Belarus and Russia, including famous natives of the region.
In 2021, the festival was held in the urochishche Vorobiovy Gory. Various thematic interactive zones were organized there, including "Maluyem razam" (Let's Paint Together) and "U kozhnym radku natkhnenne" (In Every Line, Inspiration). The "Tarasava syadziba" (Taras's Estate) was popular with children, offering face painting and engaging games. The exhibition-sale of folk crafts "Kirmaskh lyaparnasa" (Fair at Parnassus) was bustling with activity. "Tarasau trofey" (Taras's Trophy) with an exhibition of hunting trophies, "Yushka dlya Tarasa" (Yushka for Taras) with dozens of variations of the popular fish soup, and other homesteads offering delicious and aromatic dishes prepared many surprises for visitors.
The event was also attended by the head of the district, Petr Korobach. He not only walked through the trade rows and participated in the festivities but also presented commemorative gifts and "Zorny Taras" (Star Taras) statuettes to the laureates of the district executive committee's "Zemlyak goda" (Native of the Year) award. This award is given to both natives of the district and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of Horadok.
As part of the festival, the "Lord of the Forest" competition was held for the first time, as it was precisely the forest that was associated with the professional activities of the main character of the poem "Taras on Parnassus". Ten people competed for victory in the contest, demonstrating their skills in virtuoso woodworking. No less passion was observed at the "Tarasovy Zabegi" sports competitions.
One of the central events of the holiday was the work of the poetic platform "Veranitsinskaya Zorka". Professional writers, including Natalia Sovetnaya, a member of the Union of Writers of Belarus (SWB), Russia, and the Union State, and Andrey Gerashchenko, Chairman of the Coordination Council of Leaders of Belarusian Public Associations of Russian Compatriots at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Belarus, a member of the SWB, told the younger generation about the exceptional contribution of Konstantin Verenitsyn to national culture.
The poem "Taras on Parnassus" was written over 160 years ago, translated into many languages, and is rightfully considered a pearl of 19th-century Belarusian literature. Its author, Konstantin Verenitsyn, was born on June 1 (13), 1834, in the village of Ostrovlyany, Gorodok district.