REPORT: How Polotsk is preparing to turn the pages of the history of the printed word

Usually, when you arrive in a city that is preparing to host a major festival, you see one big construction site. However, this is not the case for Polotsk, which is a center of attraction for tourists, and therefore always tries not only to look attractive but also to be convenient for guests. Cozy streets and squares, drowned in greenery, small cafes, recreation areas, beautiful walking zones, and historical buildings, museums, and attractions at almost every step. All this is always maintained in proper order here, not just for the holiday.

In addition, a large volume of work has already been done, as according to the plan, all construction and landscaping should be completed by August 20. "There are more than 350 objects of repair and reconstruction," says Alexander Mikhalevich, Deputy Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee for Architecture and Construction. - The main mass is current repairs. In the housing and communal services system - 68 objects, most of the work has already been completed. We are finishing the asphalting of courtyards and street lanes - according to the plan, about 36 thousand square meters are needed. Facades of residential buildings, historical and cultural monuments are being repaired."

Along with educational, healthcare, trade, and public catering facilities, enterprises and organizations are also joining in, tidying up and improving the surrounding territory. Even small establishments in the central part of Polotsk use the city's brand.

Frantsishka Skaryna to attract additional attention.

Meanwhile, one of the largest preparation facilities is the reconstruction of Zygin and Oktyabrskaya streets at the entrance to Polotsk from the Russian side. "The work is being carried out at the expense of road tolls. The roadway will be expanded to four lanes, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and a roundabout will appear. The estimated cost is almost Br2 million at current prices. We plan to complete this facility around August 25," says Alexander Mikhalievich.

The management of the Vitebsk branch of the Belarusian Railway has also taken care of a proper welcome for guests by renovating one of the city's entrance gates – the Polotsk station, which handles up to 5,000 passengers per day. Over Br200,000 was spent on repairing the facades of five buildings, the porch, the ramp, installing LED lighting, interior finishing of ticket offices, and other works. A terminal will be equipped at the luggage storage to pay for the service by bank card. Passengers also have the opportunity to use free Wi-Fi.

The adjacent bus station is next in line, where work is in full swing. The interior of the building is unrecognizable – not a trace of the old Soviet interior remains, and the premises are acquiring a European look. It is also significantly improving functionally. The old asphalt is being removed from the platforms. The funding for the facility from the regional budget reaches Br570,000. The city's House of Culture, one of Polotsk's important concert venues, will also be significantly updated. The modernization includes not only the repair of the roof and facades but also the complete replacement of lighting and sound equipment, stage design, and decorations. The financial investment is considerable – about Br1 million. The facility will open on September 3 with the premiere of the play "The Legend of Vseslav of Polotsk" by Polotsk director Vera Kiseleva, performed by the Pilgrim theater.

The "Dvina" hotel has also been transformed.

рядом с площадью Франциска Скорины. Кроме косметического ремонта номерного фонда заметно изменился ресторан.

"Номера для гостей зарезервированы не только в "Двине" и гостиничном комплексе "Парус", задействованы и общежития. Для тех, кто приедет на праздник самостоятельно, доступны услуги хостелов, арендного жилья. Словом, мест для ночлега хватит всем, - заверяет Александр Михалевич. - Также есть схема в центральной зоне города, где будут расположены торговые ряды и объекты питания. В соответствии с той же схемой будут распределены и 24 биотуалета в дополнение к стационарному в центре зоны праздничных мероприятий".

Конечно, особое внимание историческим памятникам и местам. В целом ремонт перед праздником коснулся семи объектов Национального Полоцкого историко-культурного музея-заповедника. Среди них Софийский собор, краеведческий музей, художественная галерея, музей белорусского книгопечатания.

К Софии мы и направляемся первым делом. Здесь масштаб работ для строителей впечатляет: высота под 50 м, площадь фасадов - более 6,5 тыс. кв.м. "Помимо объема, сложность ремонта заключается в технологии выполнения работ в несколько этапов, наличии многочисленных декоративных элементов. Также благоустраивается территория собора. Параллельно внутри ведутся ремонтные работы, замена полов, уже завершено устройство новой системы вентиляции", - отмечает Александр Михалевич. Оценить звучание знаменитого органа полоцкой Софии можно будет уже 3 сентября, на премьере сюиты белорусского композитора Анны Короткиной "Францыск Скарына" в исполнении органистки Ксении Погорелой. Рядом с собором готовится площадка, где на полутораметровый постамент будет установлен памятный знак "Полоцк - колыбель белорусской государственности". Автором композиции стал скульптор Владимир Пипин, знак отольют в бронзе на минском скульптурном комбинате. Монумент высотой 5,5 м представляет собой множество щитов, на которых изображены знаковые для нашей страны исторические личности. Монтаж знака планируется near Francysk Skaryna Square. In addition to cosmetic repairs to the guest rooms, the restaurant has also changed significantly.

"Rooms for guests are reserved not only in "Dvina" and the "Parus" hotel complex, but dormitories are also involved. For those who come to the celebration on their own, hostels and rental housing services are available. In short, there will be enough places to stay for everyone," assures Alexander Mikhalievich. - There is also a map in the central part of the city where trade rows and food outlets will be located. In accordance with the same scheme, 24 portable toilets will be distributed in addition to the stationary one in the center of the festive event zone."

Of course, special attention is paid to historical monuments and sites. In general, repairs before the holiday affected seven sites of the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve. Among them are the St. Sophia Cathedral, the local history museum, the art gallery, and the museum of Belarusian printing.

We are heading to St. Sophia first. Here, the scale of work for the builders is impressive: the height is almost 50 m, and the facade area is over 6.5 thousand sq.m. "In addition to the volume, the complexity of the repair lies in the technology of performing work in several stages and the presence of numerous decorative elements. The territory of the cathedral is also being improved. Simultaneously, repair work is being carried out inside, floors are being replaced, and the installation of a new ventilation system has already been completed," notes Alexander Mikhalievich. You can appreciate the sound of the famous organ of the Polotsk St. Sophia on September 3, at the premiere of the suite by Belarusian composer Anna Korotkina "Francysk Skaryna" performed by organist Ksenia Pogorelaya. Near the cathedral, a platform is being prepared where a memorial sign "Polotsk - the Cradle of Belarusian Statehood" will be installed on a one-and-a-half-meter pedestal. The author of the composition is sculptor Vladimir Pipin, the sign will be cast in bronze at the Minsk Sculpture Combine. The monument, 5.5 m high, consists of many shields depicting historical figures significant to our country. The installation of the sign is plannedto be completed by August 27, with the opening ceremony scheduled for September 2.

The model mini-city will be located in one of the squares in the center of Polotsk. Almost all educational institutions took part in the tourist and educational project "Polotsk Through the Eyes of Children, or A City in Miniature." Under the guidance of teachers, children studied the most significant architectural monuments of the city and the region, and created their models using various techniques with moisture-resistant materials of their choice. The main requirement was to adhere to the specified dimensions (scale 1:30, meaning some models reach 170 cm). Currently, miniature models of the Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Town Hall, the St. Nicholas Railway Station, the Church of Saints Boris and Gleb of the Belchitsky Monastery, and others are stored at Gymnasium No. 1 named after F. Skorina.

Meanwhile, the Polotsk Children's Art School will present an art town for visitors – an exhibition of print graphics created using a stylized model of a printing press from the times of Francis Skorina and Johann Gutenberg. There will be an opportunity to try making an imprint of an engraving yourself. The creation of the press is one of the stages of the art project "Polotsk Typography," which was specifically implemented by the school's team for the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing. To master the art of book printing, children studied various graphic techniques and created creative compositions, and the school's teacher, Dmitry Svyatsky, built a real press for printing engravings. "Project participants tried their hand at linocut, engraving on plaster, cardboard, linoleum, and other materials (in Skorina's time, it was wood), printing using stencils, templates, and carbon paper," says the school's director, Natalia Antimоnova. "In total, students and teachers printed several hundred works."

The festive sites will be located along a 10-kilometer route, and each of them is sure to find its audience.

The holiday program is still being finalized. However, it can be approximately stated that September 1st will be dedicated to children and youth. They will participate in the Skaryna Olympiad, art events, master classes, quests, and interactive excursions. Young and adult spectators will learn how gymnasium students of the 19th century spent their time through a journey into the past with historical reenactment. On the same day, the medieval culture festival "Rubon" will start.

On September 2nd, Polotsk residents will celebrate City Day, which will begin with a procession of labor collectives and the launch of exhibition projects (including in honor of the 135th anniversary of the birth of Belarusian classics Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas), book fairs, souvenir fairs, craft fairs, and even a festival of Belarusian cuisine and Belarusian products, concert programs, creative competitions, and literary and musical compositions.

On this day, a large festival of books and press will start on Francysk Skaryna Square, featuring meetings with domestic and foreign writers, a scientific and practical conference, the final of a recitation contest, a literary festival, a theatrical performance of the grand opening of Belarusian Written Language Day, and a laser show. A presentation of the famous early printer's book "Malaya Padarožnaja Knіžka" from the Belgazprombank collection will take place, and it will even be possible to take a walk through a 3D printing house from Skaryna's time.

The culmination of the holiday on September 3rd will be the traditional awarding of the National Literary Prize and the solemn ceremony of handing over the Belarusian Written Language Day baton to the city of Ivanovo, Brest region.

Ekaterina KNYAZEVA. Photos by Alexander KHITROV, BELTA.