"Skaryna Days in Polotsk" will be held from September 3-5
The large-scale children's and youth festival "Skaryna Days in Polotsk" will be held in the ancient city from September 3-5, preceding the Day of Belarusian Written Language in Shchuchin, as reported by the press service of the Polotsk District Executive Committee.
Students from educational institutions in 23 Belarusian cities that have joined UNICEF's global initiative "City Friendly to Children," as well as 10 Russian twin cities of Polotsk, are invited to participate in the festival events, filled with love for the word and pride for the renowned Polotsk native Francysk Skaryna. Representatives from the educational institution "National Center for Arts and Crafts for Children and Youth" and the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee are expected in the city.
The forum will be opened by the Skaryna Olympiad, which will be held at the educational institution "Francysk Skaryna Polotsk State Gymnasium No. 1". Participants (students of grades 9-11) will have to undergo several tests: write an essay (Belarusian language and literature); present a comprehensive work on the history of Belarus, the history of Polotsk, and the biography of Francysk Skaryna (history); demonstrate rhetorical talent in an impromptu speech "Realities of Life: For and Against" and the talent of a declaimer when reading literary works.
In addition, young people from cities in Belarus and Russia will take part in the implementation of the open creative project "Descendants of Skaryna," which includes 4 competitions: an interactive quest "Gates of History," during which an online quiz "The Mystery of the Forgotten Key" will be held; an art album competition "Dedicated to the Famous Countryman..."; a literary reading competition "Video Talent" and a multimedia presentation competition "Skaryna's Heritage - A National Treasure of Belarusians."
The cultural and entertainment program also promises to be informative: on September 4, guests will take sightseeing tours of Polotsk, and then participate in the "Youth! Erudition! Friendship!" friends' reunion evening, where they will share their work experience, impressions, and exchange addresses. On the same day, the solemn award ceremony "We are the heirs of Skaryna" will take place (winners of the competitions will receive valuable prizes and be awarded Skaryna diplomas).
On the final day of the forum, high school students will take part in open lessons and thematic platforms at monuments and sculptural compositions, which will come to life on this day. The members of the youth parliament of Polotsk and Polotsk district will also present their thematic platform called "Reading Youth".
The organizers of the event are the Polotsk District Executive Committee, the Department of Education, Sports and Tourism of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, the National Center for Artistic Creativity of Children and Youth, and UNICEF.
Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.