The professionalism of staff, the creation of local brands, and the work of the media in the Year of the Small Motherland were discussed by the region's ideologists in Polotsk
Polotsk, as noted by Gennady Egorov, Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, was not chosen as the venue for the event by chance. The past year was rich in large-scale cultural events for the oldest city in our country. The celebration of the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing and the Day of Belarusian Written Language was held here at a high level.
Gennady Egorov emphasized the qualitative improvement of ideological work. In this regard, a significant direction is the systematic training and professional development of personnel and their reserve. The learning process should be continuous and purposeful, and its main result should be a cohesive team of professionals, where the knowledge, experience, and energy of each person serve the common cause, contribute to solving specific problems of regional life, with the aim of improving people's living standards.
The work of regional media was analyzed in detail. It was noted that, on the whole, they play a leading role in shaping public opinion, ensuring the implementation of state policy, and providing the population with reliable information.
Tatyana Khmel, Head of the Information and Analytical Department of the Ministry of Information of Belarus, urged journalists to more actively support the Belarusian word and to turn to local history topics more often.
Cultural organizations of the Vitebsk region held over 120,000 public events last year and implemented vibrant creative projects. Cultural cooperation was carried out with 42 countries. 142 performers and groups became winners of international and republican competitions, and 6 individuals were included in the Special Fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the Support of Talented Youth.
The cultural institutions will have a wide field of activity during the Year of Small Motherland, noted First Deputy Minister of Culture Irina Driga. Each district should acquire its own brand based on local rites, customs, and traditions. Fulfilling their spiritual obligations to their fellow countrymen, famous artists will travel with concerts to their native villages and settlements, and the best creative forces from the provinces will be involved in republican festivals.
“Everything bright, original, and unusual, as a rule, originates in one’s small motherland,” said Irina Driga.
The key tasks for the near future were defined by Head of the Main Ideological Department of the Presidential Administration Alexander Ilyasevich. Fulfilling the provisions of Decree No. 1, it is important to actively engage in work to maximally assist citizens in employment, study the real situation from the perspective of each person, and help those who find themselves in difficult situations. According to Alexander Ilyasevich, people of labor should be given a worthy place in the pages of periodicals, showcasing their achievements and their desire to make our country more beautiful. The topic of preparation for the II European Games should be constantly in focus. The Year of Small Motherland implies not only initiatives for the improvement of every corner of our native land but also a broad program of educational events to foster patriotism among youth and introduce them to the origins of modern Belarusian statehood.
Summing up the conversation, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Penin expressed confidence that during the Year of Small Motherland, every resident of the Vitebsk region will take a feasible part in the development of the place where they were born and raised. Vladimir Petrovich recommended that the media publish more materials about people's lives, reflect current issues, and not be afraid of criticism, which, undoubtedly, local authorities should perceive objectively.
At the board meeting, employees of the ideological sector who achieved high results were awarded.
Vladimir Penin presented awards for high creative achievements in the field of culture and arts. The best in their nominations were recognized as Orsha Children's Art School No. 1, Horodok Central Library, Novopolotsk City Culture Center, Vitebsk Regional Methodological Center for Folk Art, Liozno House of Crafts, Miory Children's Library, Bigosovo Rural House of Culture of Verkhnedvinsk District, Druya Library of Braslav District.
The awards ceremony concluded with a creative report from the cultural institutions of Polotsk District. The theatrical program demonstrated the rich creative potential of the region, the love of the residents for their native land, for our history and present.