The ecological festival “Cranes and Cranberries of the Miory Region” was held in Miory
– Ten years ago, even within the country, little was known about Miory; they used to say: "It's a town near Braslav," – emphasized the Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Igor Kuznetsov. – And today, our Yelnya bog and metal rolling plant are known throughout the world for their uniqueness, ecological health, and products, serving as magnificent objects for natural and industrial tourism.
The Chairperson of the District Council of Deputies, Maria Bonifatyeva, spoke about how the idea of holding an ecological festival in the Miory region, with cranes and cranberries – a bird and a berry – as the main protagonists, came about. Maria Nikolaevna preserved the poster of the first festival, which this year has already acquired the status of a regional celebration.
The development of the festival and its enrichment with new themes in the last two years have also been contributed to by the international project “Together for the Community and Nature: Strengthening the Development Process in the Miory District through Cooperation between Local Authorities and Civil Society,” implemented by the district executive committee, the Public Association “Belarusian Birds Protection Union,” and the Latvian Rural Forum with the financial support of the European Union. Within its framework, a number of local initiatives have been implemented that have taught the population to see the potential of their locality, have served to popularize the region, and benefit the residents of the entire district. A brand book has been developed, an IT laboratory has been created at Secondary School No. 3, the Social Service Center has opened the “Silver Age” cafe for training elderly people in computer use, and kindergarten No. 1 has acquired modern platforms for environmental education of pupils… Project manager Oleg Sivograkov spoke in detail to those present about each of these areas.
From the guests' side, the experience of implementing the international project “Landscape-Oriented Development of Rural Territories of the Yaselda River Valley with the Participation of the Local Population” was shared by its coordinator Elena Apolko from the Berezinsky district of the Minsk region.
As they say, every bird praises its own swamp, but to see for themselves the popularity of the festival, which provides a rich insight into the life of the Miory region, its people, and how skillfully they manage their natural wealth, hosts and guests went to the peninsula, immersed themselves in the September festival, which turned out to be warm and cheerful, regardless of the weather.
The flow of people slowed down the traffic at the entrance to the park – the police service ensured the safety of the holiday participants. And then it was difficult to pass by any tent. On one side of the path, students of the Dzerkovshchyna school from Glubokoye set up a stand with photos of birds from their locality, which they observe and protect. On the other side, students from the Slobodka school from Braslav region offered herbal teas made from medicinal herbs grown on the school grounds. And the deeper into the peninsula, the more vivid impressions from what was seen, interesting acquaintances and discoveries. Here, Yevgeny and Tatyana Paradnya from Polotsk, under the sign "Honey from Yelnya," invited visitors to try bee products, advertising that it was collected from heather flowers in the Yelnya marsh. They say that beehives are brought here for heather.
By the way, there were many beekeepers and honey at the festival. It was offered not only by private individuals but also by farms. Traditionally, it was at the Uzmony courtyard; at the Miory courtyard, there were about a dozen filled jars on the table near the beekeeper from OJSC "Pod'eltsy," Viktor Pavlovsky. The farm has 140 hives, and this year it produced over 2.5 tons of medicinal product, using which, along with cranberries, the housewives prepared dozens of dishes.
In Miory region, judging by the courtyards of the village councils, there are many skilled cooks. They have long appreciated the taste and benefits of cranberries. The berries were nearby in the marsh. They are collected quickly. Stored for the winter, they are a source of vitamins and minerals. Surpluses are for sale, also an important part of the family budget income.
There were also many cranberries for sale at the festival. Konstantin, a resident of the village of Churylovo, said that he collects 60-70 kg per day. His daughters often help him, so this year their total collection is at least 800 kg. His neighbors, Marina Kanapelka, Liliya Yanukovich, and Kasya Kazachonok, were also diligent collectors. The first won the district cranberry-picking competition in the "Largest Berry" nomination, and the daughter of the second took a prize-winning place for the quantity of berries collected. Kasya is a local legend in general – a mushroom picker, berry picker, hunter, "Guardian of the Yeln", guide, and owner of a rural estate.
Cranberry sellers, including women from Braslav, offered red, ripe, and large berries, although, in my opinion, the price was too high. Compared to last year, it was twice as much for many. Therefore, there was no rush.
The festival is also an opportunity to meet people whose efforts beautify settlements and bring order to the land. Traditionally, on this day, the district executive committee summarizes the results of the landscaping competition among enterprises and organizations, elders, and estate owners. Those who are not indifferent to their personal and common home in Miory region were called onto the stage one by one, where Igor Kuznetsov and Maria Bonifatyeva, each in their own nomination, presented diplomas and flowers to the winners, and some were lucky enough to receive children's playgrounds as gifts.
There were many interesting craftspeople at the festival. And not only local ones. The regional competition "Bird Fright" was held at the festival, and craft houses from different districts sent their masters to it.
Festival participants also had the opportunity to get acquainted with numerous song and music ensembles of the Vitebsk region during the regional competition "Zhurauliiny Zvon" (Cranberry Chime).
They satisfied their curiosity and those who came to observe the cranes. Each time, the festival organizers offer them an excursion along the eco-trail around Yalnya and provide an opportunity to see the birds resting or feeding with the help of modern optics. This year was lucky. Near one of the sites, about a thousand cranes immediately landed to glean, according to ornithologists.
I believe that everyone at the festival found what they came for, was able to learn more about Belarus and Miory region, about the hardworking and talented people living in the Vitebsk region.
"Vitebskie vesti"