Vladimir Penin: "We want to show the world what historical role Polotsk played in the formation of Belarus's statehood"

From September 1 to 3, the ancient city of Polotsk, celebrating its anniversary – the 1155th anniversary of its founding, will host the Day of Belarusian Written Language for the third time. It will be held under the banner of the 500th anniversary of national book printing and will undoubtedly be associated with the name of Francysk Skaryna – a famous son of Polotsk, a humanist and enlightener, who brought the first printed word to our lands and laid the foundation for the Belarusian intellectual tradition. The upcoming celebrations are an event of national scale, and preparations for it in the republic began in May last year. And tomorrow Polotsk will welcome guests. On the eve of the holiday, we talked with the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Head of the Regional Organizing Committee and member of the National Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the Day of Belarusian Written Language, Vladimir Penin.

— Vladimir Petrovich, the theme of the 500th anniversary of book printing and related projects, the anniversary of Polotsk, and the anniversaries of the classics of national literature Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas, Yanka Bryl, Pimen Panchenko, and many other events have allowed us to talk about a new format for holding the Day of Belarusian Written Language, which has been mentioned more than once during the preparations for it. In your opinion, have you managed to implement what was planned?

— Why don't you come to Polotsk! See for yourself how much the ancient city has become more beautiful. Before the holiday, repair work, reconstruction, or modernization were carried out at almost 350 facilities, including such landmarks as the St. Sophia Cathedral, the Museum of Belarusian Book Printing, the City House of Culture, as well as the city's "calling cards" – the railway and bus stations. Over 13 million rubles were allocated for these purposes from various sources of funding.

Of course, everything that has been done is the framing and the worthy background on which the bright picture of a national-scale holiday will look especially striking. Its program includes over 60 creative, cultural, educational, scientific, literary, and artistic projects. In fact, the start has been given. On August 30, the traditional scientific and educational expedition "The Road to the Shrines" started from Minsk. And tomorrow, the large-scale children's and youth forum "Skaryna Days in Polotsk" will begin its work, and the Skaryna Olympiad for schoolchildren will open.

On September 2, an official procession will take place in Polotsk, dedicated to the 1155th anniversary of Polotsk, Belarusian Written Language Day, and the 500th anniversary of book printing, followed by the opening of the festival with the participation of the best artists of our country. By the way, the concert will be hosted by the well-known Honored Artist of Belarus, Alena Spiridovich.

There will be a lot of events, as I have already said. Over three days, an international round table with the participation of Belarusian and foreign writers "Word Diplomacy: Francysk Skaryna in the Global Humanitarian Space" will be held, as well as the scientific and practical conference "Polotsk Readings", a festival of book and press, a solemn ceremony of awarding the National Literary Prize, and a ceremony of handing over the baton of the 2018 Belarusian Written Language Day celebration to the city of Ivanovo, Brest region. There will also be medieval culture festivals "Rubon", and the results of the republican creative competition for young readers "Living Classics" will be announced. For the significant dates, the residents of Polotsk have prepared a series of original art projects, as well as theatrical and musical premieres. The updated city Palace of Culture will host the first showing of the play "The Legend of Vseslav of Polotsk" by the Honored Amateur Collective of the Republic of Belarus, the theater "Pilgrim", directed by **Vera Kiselyova**. The concert hall of St. Sophia Cathedral will invite you to the premiere of the suite "Francysk Skaryna" by Belarusian composer Hanna Korotkina, performed by organist Ksenia Pogorela.

Undoubtedly, the main hero of Belarusian Written Language Day is the book. Belarusian publishing houses have also prepared premieres. With the support of the Ministry of Information of Belarus, the publication "Francysk Skaryna from the Glorious City of Polotsk" was released for the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing. The book "Francysk Skaryna – A Man of the World" was published in the series "Francysk Skaryna" by the publishing house "Belarusian Encyclopedia named after Petrus Brovka". Based on the materials of the Museum of Belarusian Book Printing, the publishing house "Belarus" released the volume "Book Treasures of Belarus". These books will be presented to everyone interested at the festive presentations.

Museums in Polotsk will host exhibitions of commemorative coins from the "Skaryna's Path" series of the National Bank, Psalters from all over Belarus, as well as engravings by contemporary artists based on the results of the plein air.

All these days, invoking the name of the first printer Francysk Skaryna, reflecting on the destinies of national culture, we also want to show the world the historical role Polotsk played in the formation of Belarusian statehood. One of the important events of recent days is the installation of the commemorative sign "Polotsk - the Cradle of Belarusian Statehood" near the walls of the ancient Saint Sophia Cathedral. The grand opening of this symbolic five-meter composition will take place on September 2.

— Can the celebration of the 500th anniversary of book printing truly serve as a humanitarian and political bridge for our country's communication with the whole world? Who will come to Polotsk?

— Festive events are taking place throughout the country, not just in Polotsk — lectures, seminars, creative meetings with scientists, writers, cultural figures, and educators. Representatives from 10 countries have expressed interest in the national celebration, and delegations from twin cities, diplomats, Belarusians from abroad, and many cultural and art figures, writers will come to Polotsk.

— The event is undoubtedly resonant, and the information field of the celebration is vast. How many journalists are expected in Polotsk?

— About a hundred Belarusian and foreign journalists — representatives of print publications, television, and online resources — will be accredited to cover the Day of Belarusian Written Language and the 500th anniversary of book printing, and the anniversary of Polotsk. A press center has been organized for the media at Gymnasium No. 1 in Polotsk, which is already equipped with everything necessary for work and has 20 computers with Internet access.

I am confident that the richness of topics will allow for the preparation of interesting reports, provide an objective picture of the celebration, tell about Polotsk, its history, attractions, great tourist potential, cultural heritage, and unique hospitality in order to attract even more travelers and tourists, researchers of antiquity, and history enthusiasts. And, of course, to convey to everyone the meaning and essence of the epochal celebration, as well as the behest of the first printer, the famous Polotsk resident Francysk Skaryna: "Love the book, for it is the source of wisdom, knowledge, and science, a medicine for the soul."

Interview by Natallia KRUPITSA. Photos by Aleh KLIMOVICH. "Vitbichi".