The traditional "Zazhynki" were celebrated in the Polotsk region

There are folk omens: "when the blueberries are ripe, then the rye is ripe" or "start the harvest when summer has passed its hot age." This is exactly the time now. The field is calling the reapers. The traditional district "Zazhynki" (Harvest Start) was celebrated this year at the "Gorany-agro" branch of OJSC "Polotsk Grain Processing Plant." They kicked off the 2013 harvest campaign in the Polotsk district.

Heads of all farms in the Polotsk district, led by the Deputy Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, Nikolai Baratynsky, specialists from the district agricultural department, artists from the Bogatyrsky Rural House of Culture, Father Georgy, and chanters from the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos of Polotsk, gathered in the Prudok tract. The main heroes of the celebration were the combine operators of the "Gorany-agro" branch, on whose professionalism, skill, and experience the farm management counts for the harvest. Six crews – Dmitry Gorokh and Alexander Gorokh, Sergey Kukla and Sergey Chuvakhov, Vladimir Sushchik and Alexey Minov, Sergey Garbatenko and Vitaly Kushnarenko, Sergey Gorbachev and Valentin Malinovskiy, Yuri Poltoratsky and Alexander Poltoratsky – stopped working, lined up their combines. By the start of the celebration, they had managed to thresh 21 tons of grain.

Harvest songs were performed by the "Voice of Heritage" ensemble. How melodious, sincere, genuine, and in tune with the mood of the soul they are! Nikolai Baratynsky was presented with a traditional sheaf of wheat ears with wishes of prosperity, strong health, and a rich harvest for the next year. Nikolai Nikolaevich noted that for several years now, all important agricultural campaigns in the Polotsk district have begun with a prayer service, and "Zazhynki" is a very good occasion to ask God for spiritual and physical strength to fulfill plans, for abundant bread, and good weather. Father Georgy, accompanied by chanters, performed a prayer service, and then sprinkled the participants of the harvest and the equipment with holy water.

"The main thing is that it doesn't rain," wished the young combine operator Sergey Kukla for a successful harvest. "My combine has been serving me well for the sixth season, I hope it won't let me down. And my attitude towards work is militant," shared his thoughts the experienced combine operator Sergey Garbatenko.

Tamara Makarova, chief agronomist of the "Garany-Agro" branch, spoke about the fact that this year's harvest is entrusted to professionals. This year they are to harvest crops from an area of 1,880 hectares. Grain crops are sown on an area of 1,340 hectares, oilseeds occupy 360 hectares, and perennial grass seeds occupy 180 hectares. During this crucial time, the farm will work like a well-coordinated orchestra, with combine operators playing the role of lead violins.

The head of the farm, Alexander Kaltunov, was pleased that the district "Zazhynki" (start of harvest) took place at his branch. He said that this year, as always, they prepared for the harvest responsibly. When asked what he preferred more – "Zazhynki" or "Dazhynki" (end of harvest) – he answered sincerely: "On August 3, it will be 34 years since I started working in agriculture. I am equally pleased to start the harvest and to celebrate full granaries. The main thing in this work is pride in the team, which is capable of sowing the grain first, and then harvesting everything, down to the last grain."