Labor dynasties of the Vitebsk region became honored guests of the Palace of Independence
The Palace of Independence in Minsk continues to attract guests and open its doors to representatives of various professions. Several years ago, this was a clear instruction from the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko - the palace must be open to people. And indeed, the path to it does not overgrow - there are more and more people wishing to go on an excursion. This time, the honor to see in all its glory one of the main symbols of the country's sovereignty and independence was granted to special people - about a hundred people - representatives of labor dynasties from the Vitebsk region.
The uniqueness of this group is that they are not just employees of one industry or enterprise. These are people of completely different professions and ages - doctors, teachers, agricultural workers, industry, communications, trade, transport, housing and communal services, forestry, representatives of art. But the main feature that unites them is the love for their work, at the genetic level. The current guests of the palace, their family members and relatives have a total work experience in their profession or at one enterprise measured in centuries.
"The idea came quite spontaneously. Maintaining a dynasty, something our ancestors did, is prestigious. We are passing this message on to the youth. The idea to popularize it through an event like this (an excursion to the Palace of Independence. - Ed.) emerged. The idea to organize an excursion for labor dynasties was supported by Governor Alexander Subbotin. Dynasties from almost all districts of the Vitebsk region are represented here," said Marina Novitskaya, head of the main department of ideological work and youth affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
According to her, there were many interested people. Trade unions actively joined in the selection of excursion participants. Naturally, the palace guests are not only representatives of dynasties but also successful workers in their respective fields.
Among them is the Orlovsky couple. Husband Yuri Vladimirovich currently works as the director of Factory No. 3 of the Orsha Linen Mill, and his wife Marina Viktorovna works at the same enterprise as the head of the quality management department.
"Amazing impressions. I just didn't expect such beauty and functionality at the same time. They tell the stories very interestingly. You simply feel like a participant in these events," shares Marina Orlovskaya her impressions of the excursion.
"No words," her husband supports her, no less enthusiastically, but more reservedly, in a masculine way.
Even before the excursion began, it became known that the total work experience of the Orlovsky labor dynasty at the Orsha Flax Mill exceeds 480 years. But this, as it turned out in conversation, is a "branch of the main dynasty." "The founders of our dynasty were Malikov Nikolai Fyodorovich and Malikova Evdokia Mikhailovna," says Marina Orlovskaya. "My grandparents started in 1945. They had a large family - five children. And all the children began their working careers at the Orsha Flax Mill. Then some left, some stayed. As of today, there are 28 representatives of the dynasty. The total work experience is 675 years. And 4 generations. We represent the third. The fourth generation of our branch is our son. But there are my nephews and nieces who also represent the fourth generation."
By the way, Marina Orlovskaya came to the Palace of Independence in a linen suit. "It's comfortable, convenient, fashionable, beautiful," she praises the products of her native enterprise.
The couple met at the mill in their time. "He was our Komsomol leader, and I didn't get into college and was a girl preparing for college, but participating in all competitions and youth events," Marina Orlovskaya recalls with a smile.
The enterprise has essentially become a family base, confirms the spouse: "I came to the Orsha Linen Mill in 1979 after graduating from technical school. I served in the army and returned again. And since then, I have gone from a fitter to the factory director."
We are interested in what flax means to this family now, which the President of Belarus calls nothing less than a "political culture" – after all, flax flowers are depicted on the coat of arms of Belarus. Marina Orlovskaya answers without hesitation: "It's a family member. Because, excuse me, we have flax in our beds, on our tables, and on us. Flax is everywhere for us. Flax feeds us, clothes us, inspires us. Flax is our everything."
"It is a brand of the state," emphasizes Yuri Orlovsky. "In the post-Soviet space, essentially only the Orsha Linen Mill remains on this scale."
"With such a range, and with such attention that the state and the President pay to our enterprise," his wife picked up the thought. "Such attention, finances from the state, perhaps no enterprise has received. We have undergone several stages of modernization. We are now entering the ranks of industrial enterprises that are developing industrial tourism in Belarus. We have something to show. This makes us happy, and we are proud of it."
Among the guests of the palace is the Valentov family. Spouses Nikolai Alexandrovich and Alesya Vladimirovna, and the husband's brother Anatoly Alexandrovich – all employees of OJSC "Drutsk-Agro" from the Tolochin district. They planned to come as a group of five, but only three managed to get away. After all, now is the busiest time for agricultural workers. They admit that they feel a little uneasy because work is in full swing on the farm, while they are on an excursion in the capital.
We ask what they do on the farm. In response, the guests name their professions: a machine operator, an accountant, and an engineer. They are all full of impressions. "Magnificent! The chandeliers are something else! The tour is very interesting, gorgeous!" they exclaim enthusiastically.
"We have over 185 years of experience in our dynasty. Our father and mother, everyone worked in agriculture," said Alesya Valentova. But many of their family have lived on the Tolochin land, as they say in Belarus, "since time immemorial." This means the dynasty of agrarians is likely much older.
"In one farm, we all live in the same village. My parents lived here their whole lives. My mother is from elsewhere. My father is a native, from Drutsk. He also always worked here. My son was born in 1993. He followed in my footsteps (a tractor driver-machinist at the enterprise. - Ed.) and is happy with his work. He wanted to go too, but they didn't let him. I am satisfied with my work on the farm," shared Nikolai Valentov, detailing his family history.
Given that the villagers are from the Vitebsk region, we are interested in their attitude towards the presidential initiative of recent years regarding the sowing of winter barley. Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly emphasized during working trips and at selector meetings that winter rapeseed and barley, especially for the northern regions - the entire Vitebsk region - are a literal salvation. They ripen earlier and allow for a gradual transition into harvesting, distributing efforts, and testing equipment. There are fewer weather risks, and ready cash at the very beginning of the harvest season has never hurt anyone. Who better to know this than accountant Alesya Valentova. "Winter barley is very good. We figured it out, and it's definitely better for us. We get into the harvest faster, and the load on August is reduced. Previously, most of it was scheduled for August, but now we start in July. And it's smooth, the load is less. It's rational. For the Vitebsk region - yes," she confirms.
We are talking with Nikolai Ivanovich and Tamara Ilyinichna Antonovs. Both worked as teachers in schools but are now retired. Throughout their lives, they worked in various schools in the Vitebsk region. "Everyone teaches. The dynasty began with his uncle. And there are four people in that family. Then him, his brother, his brother's wife. Then from my side - me, two nieces work in the Orsha district - my own brother's children..." lists Tamara Ilyinichna. In general, there are many relatives in the profession, including children.
The Antonov family
"We calculated: there are 18 of us (in the labor dynasty. - Ed.). The total length of service is over 400 years," said Nikolai Antonov.
And if everything could be rewound, would you choose the teaching path again? "Definitely. I'm all for it," says Tamara Antonova.
"We have no regrets," her husband confirmed.
These are just a few brief stories about family labor dynasties. But there are many more such families, both at the exhibition and in the Vitebsk region, and even more so across the entire country – true workers and patriots of their Motherland, who, without even noticing it themselves, preserve traditions, build the present and future of Belarus.
"BELTA"