Magazine for you
No.6 (993), 2016 Беларусь. Belarus
belarus Politics, Economy, Culture
SOYUZ
Belarus — Russia
pp. 21—28 ISSN 2415-394X
From July 1st denomination will be carried out in the country
Rouble exchange rate
Events in Belarus and abroad
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contents
Беларусь.Belarus Monthly magazine No. 6 (993), 2016 Published since 1930 State Registration Certificate of mass medium No.8 dated March 2nd, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus
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Founders: The Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus “SB” newspaper editorial office Belvnesheconombank
Regions set the pace
Editor: Viktor Kharkov Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich
Design and Layout by
Meaningful dialogue Minsk hosts the
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3rd Forum of Belarusian and Russian Regions
thousand foreigners got medical aid in Belarus in 2015. And this figure continues to increase. In summer people come to us not only to have a rest, but also to undergo treatment, because modern medicine in Belarus is a combination of advanced technologies and long-time national traditions of treatment and health improvement
Barriers hampering business need to be further removed President of Be-
larus Alexander Lukashenko pays working visit to Kazakhstan, to attend the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council session
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Belagro gathers partners
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Aims are real, plans are ambitious
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Svetlana Maksimova: People know what to do; they just need our help
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The most important is to keep heal- thy More than one hundred seventy
Textbook for friends The first textbook
беларусь.belarus 2016
Distributed in 50 countries of the world. Final responsibility for factual accuracy or interpretation rests with the authors of the publications. Should any article of Беларусь.Belarus be used, the reference to the magazine is obligatory. The magazine does not bear responsibility for the contents of advertisements.
Publisher: “SB” editorial office
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Skorina presented in all his diversity
This magazine has been printed at State Entertainment “Publishers “Belarus Printing House”.
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Shades of music and poetry Versatile
79 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk, Belarus, 220013
interests help Leonid Danelia expand his creative outlook and enjoy 70th birthday exhibition
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Order No. 1485 Total circulation — 1969 copies (including 791 in English).
Write us to the address: 11 Kiselyov Str., Minsk, Belarus, 220029. Tel.: +375 (17) 290-62-24, 290-66-45. Tel./Fax: +375 (17) 290-68-31. www.belarus-magazine.by E-mail: belmag@sb.by Subscription index in Belpochta catalogue — 74977
where does Turkmenistan’s Ashgabat’s openness, amiability and warm-heartedness originate? From our Soviet past?
Statistics inspire hope
Беларусь.Belarus is published in Belarusian, English, Spanish and Polish.
on Belarusian language study released in Japan
Past that looks to the future From
Once upon a time, there was a village called Bratkovichi
Vadim Kondrashov Nadezhda Ponkratova
Vladimir Korik: “Dynasty continues…”
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© “Беларусь. Belarus”, 2016
editor’s note
Where aspirations lie
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hat purpose do thematic meetings, conferences and forums serve? Of course, it’s useful to share expertise and exchange opinion. Speaking face to face is always most effective, as was clear at the plenary session of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. It’s obvious that any event featuring heads of state gains enhanced importance, so the presence of Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin was noted. In their speeches, the presidents referred to the ‘larger picture’, adding another layer of significance to the discussion. Meanwhile, reports from Belarusian and Russian partners on their experience of cooperation painted a convincing picture of the benefits. The audience listened rapt, with new proposals finding immediate response and support. Nothing can replace dialogue in facilitating new partnerships, as we explore in this issue, looking at the work of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, and the importance of integration in strengthening Belarus’ open economy, seeking out sales markets. The preservation of Russia as a global geopolitical player depends much on our successful relations, together building economic relations with third countries, to all-round benefit from multilateral collaboration. Experts note that our two countries have much motivation for cooperation, as is manifested in our terminology. Forums often discuss import substitution, investments, new techno logy, social orientation and unification of legislation. The upper chambers of our parliaments have agreed to continue working
on unified legislation in the sphere of labour relations, education and healthcare. Meanwhile, much still needs to be done to eliminate barriers to mutual trade. Astana’s recent hosting of a Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit, featuring Alexander Lukashenko, discussed ways forward in integration, with heads of state debating how best to strengthen economic interrelation between the EAEU, and third countries and key integration structures. Belarus is especially interested in forming single markets for gas, oil and oil products within the EAEU. Moreover, the session saw major guidelines proposed for the EAEU macroeconomic policy for 2016-2017, alongside guidelines for the EAEU international activity. In extended format meetings, the EAEU summit in Astana included around 15 agenda items, with corresponding decisions adopted. During the first year of the EAEU work, impressions have been mixed. On the one hand, integration has enabled us to considerably reduce risks, minimising the negative consequences of global shocks on world markets. Yet, obstacles remain to mutual trade, as Mr. Lukashenko underlines. Integration without a shared economic space makes no sense, since we cannot unite without a unified market for hydrocarbons, electricity, medicines and liberalisation of transport services. The EAEU Treaty covers these matters but little progress has been made in ensuring application. No one expects a ra dical breakthrough from the Astana negotiations, but some advancement is hoped for. The presidents of Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia have approved a concept to form single markets for oil and oil products by 2025, while the EAEU energy companies will be granted equal, nondiscriminatory access to oil infrastructure. Additionally, they will be able to purchase oil and oil products without price restriction and without export duties. Next year, the presidents plan to approve a step-by-step programme to implement this concept, signing a corresponding agreement. The major message of the summit has been to advance in a more challenging and decisive manner. Moreover, liaising with the EAEU is becoming ever more attractive to other states.
by VIKTOR KHARKOV
2016 беларусь.belarus
panorama Specialist to appreciate hospitality Belarus creates conditions to attract highly-qualified foreign workers
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he procedure for issuing and extending the duration of special permits allowing highly qualified foreign specialists to work in Belarus has been amended. The mea sure was laid down by the Council of Ministers’ recent executive order, with a document adopted in line with the Law ‘On Introduction of Changes and Additions and in the Law of the Republic of Belarus ‘On External Labour Migration’. The term ‘highly qualified worker’ has been clearly defined, with specified requirements listed. In line with the executive order, special job permits will be granted to foreign highly qualified wor kers for a period of two years, and may be extended for a further two years. Permits will be granted to other foreign workers for a period of one year. The Government press service explains that these mea sures should improve state policy in the sphere of external labour migration.
In context of globalisation Special meeting of UN Economic and Social Council (the ECOSOC) sees Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Andrei Dapkiunas, call for middleincome countries to contribute more to global development
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r. Dapkiunas has presented his vision for the place and role of this category of states in achieving global sustainable development. He believes that the UN could make better use of the potential of middle-income countries, creating a separate coordination mechanism involving all elements of the UN system, to facilitate international assistance to these countries, and to use their experience for the benefit of global sustainable development. Referring to Belarus, Mr. Dapkiunas noted that its further progress (as a middle-income country) will impact on the successful implementation of the sus-
Rouble exchange rate On July 1st, new Belarusian money will be introduced. Experts describe how counterfeit notes can be distinguished.
“B Be lta
беларусь.belarus 2016
elarusian money will boast all the necessary protective measures used by advanced countries,” explains the Head of the Chief Department for Criminal
tainable development agenda adopted at the UN summit last year. The ECOSOC special meeting, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, discussed the role of the UN development system in middle-income countries. In line with World Bank classification, there are over a hundred middle-income countries, with Belarus ranked in the top sub-category of upper-middle-income countries. These states are home to most of the world’s population, accounting for over a third of global GDP, and a quarter of the world’s exports and imports, according to international estimates. Belarus advocates for the interests of middle-income countries within the international arena. In March 2016, Belarus and several other countries initiated the establishment of an informal group of active supporters of the interests of middle-income countries within the UN. Over the past few years, Minsk has hosted two regional conferences on various aspects of sustainable development, for middle-income nations. Expertise at the State Committee of Court Expertise’s Central Organ — Dmitry Gulidin. “However, our country has advanced even further: starting from BR50, our banknotes will use an additional element: MASK-protection. No other currencies of the world use anything of the kind.” According to Mr. Gulidin, most forgeries are made with the help of devices readily to hand, such as scanners and colour printers. These ‘banknotes’ are of poor quality and can be easily tested for their authenticity.
ON THE AGENDA
Meaningful dialogue Minsk hosts the 3rd Forum of Belarusian and Russian Regions, with the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, also holding open format bilateral meetings
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isbalance in mutual trade is the most acute issue, with both presidents noting rising physical vo lumes of trade yet falling monetary value (in terms of foreign currency). In recent months, the trend has been partially broken thanks to joint, coordinated efforts. The heads of states aim to use the integration potential of the Union State, with President Lukashenko emphasising, “The economic crisis should bring us — participants of integration processes — closer. We should interact on external markets rather than compete.” According to Mr. Lukashenko, sol ving these tasks could help develop other integration formats. “We’ve always underlined that our structure is the most advanced within the post-Soviet space, inspiring others to follow our experience.” Mr. Putin noted, “Of course, I agree with the assessment made by Alexander
Lukashenko regarding the character of our relations. Ours are the most advanced relations within the post-Soviet space and are for the benefit of our citizens.” The presidents continued their work at the Palace of the Republic, which hos ted the plenary session of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. Participants discussed almost the whole range of Union State relations. The general conclusion is that it’s necessary to continue unification and rapprochement of legislation. Moreover, Mr. Lukashenko has proposed that we elaborate an ideology of protection and strengthening of the Union State, commencing with the removal of barriers to mutual trade, forming a single industrial policy and single market. He asserts, “We need to unite efforts to compete with foreign corporations inside the Union State and then to ‘push’ onto external markets. At the moment, we’re trying to survive alone.” Mr. Putin continued by saying, “Belarus is our important economic partner. Half of all Belarusian goods are exported
to the Russian market; probably, even more. It’s necessary to expand production, including to meet the needs of the Russian market.” At the end of the session, Mr. Lukashenko told Mr. Putin, “The current visit of the Russian President is an important and symbolic step. We, as figures of state, recognise this, as do Belarusians and Russians, especially those from Belarus. I say this to assure you that not only we, state officials, but also the Belarusian nation sees that you have visited Belarus several times in recent months. This shows that the Russian leadership doesn’t view Belarus as foreign; we should always value this.” All major ideas and proposals voiced during the plenary session found reflection in the forum’s final document, while the presidents finished their intensive joint working day by touring Belagro2016, where Mr. Putin was presented with a shirt embroidered with a Belarusian national pattern, from Bellegprom Concern’s stand. By Vasily Kharitonov
2016 беларусь.belarus
Belta
ON THE AGENDA
Alexander Lukashenko:
The current visit of the Russian President is an important and symbolic step. We, as figures of state, recognise this, as do Belarusians and Russians, especially those from Belarus. I say this to assure you that not only we, state officials, but also the Belarusian nation sees that you have visited Belarus several times in recent months. This shows that the Russian leadership doesn’t view Belarus as foreign; we should always value this беларусь.belarus 2016
Belta
THE REAL COOPERATION
Regions set the pace The first forum day impressed even its organisers, with huge attention from the media, and a great turnout. Participants were busy across nine sections, representing most avenues of cooperation. The Council of the Republic, hosting talks by chairs of the Belarusian and Russian Upper Chambers of Parliament, received most attention. Mikhail Myasnikovich and Valentina Matvienko stressed that regional co-operation is increasingly evident and showing good results.
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he forum enjoys a major commercial component, with at least $300mln of export-import contracts expected to be signed,” the Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Mikhail Myasnikovich, comments. “This indicates that we have more potential to be explored.” The Chair of the Council of the Federation, Valentina Matvienko, agrees, saying, “Our coordinated actions,
in term of industrial and agricultural development and joint investment projects, continue. Despite existing problems, actual volumes of mutual trade between our countries have preserved.” Integration is important to Belarus from the point of view of strengthening its open economy and providing sales markets. Preservation of Russia as a global geopolitical partner depends on successful interrelations. At the same time, Belarus and Russia are building economic relations with third
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THE REAL COOPERATION countries, without harming each other. On the contrary: they wish to benefit from their bilateral cooperation. Experts say that our two states’ level of motivation is evident in such phrases as ‘import substitution’, ‘investments’, ‘new technologies’, ‘social orientation’ and ‘law unification’, which have been heard much at the forum. In particular, speakers of the Upper Chambers have agreed to continue working on rapprochement of legislation in the field of labour relations, education and healthcare. We desire to lift restrictions to mutual trade, although Ms. Matvienko believes that reporting of the problem may be exaggerated. She notes, “In touring Russian regions, I commonly see shops with ‘Products from Belarus’ posters. Your food enjoys great demand in Russia, alongside light industry manufactures.” Mr. Myasnikovich has remarked, “Of course, it’s not easy for our economies at present; external factors don’t help and these can be softened only by uniting efforts. We need to be less affected by protectionist decisions and build a true single economic space, without restrictions or exemptions.” Participants of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia left Minsk pleased, having concluded contracts and agreements worth dozens of millions of Dollars. A plenary session followed meetings between heads of Belarusian and Russian regions with Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov, and speakers of the Council of the Republic and the Council of the Federation, Mikhail Myasnikovich and Valentina Matvienko. The plenary was dedicated to the Union State’s coordinated social-economic policy, focusing not only upon successes but upon unsettled issues. Among key problems hampering the promotion of interregional cooperation, Mr. Myasnikovich named the falling number of established joint ventures. He stressed, “A fall of even 6 percent is accompanied by lost jobs and lost state revenue. The establishment of joint companies — including with the participation of residents from third countries — is a priority for our cooperation. China and India could become major partners in this area.” Another proposal from Belarus dealt with the dedollarisation of mutual settlements. The time has come for our governments and state companies to shift to using national currencies in exportimport operations. Ms. Matvienko also spoke of financial problems, underlining, “The Union State’s budget is not being fully utilised. We’d love to see more interesting initiatives and promising projects from governors. We also need to introduce a common visa for the Union State; this is especially important to encourage tourist flow.” Overall, the forum’s results met expectations. Belarusian constructors are to build a metro line in Chelyabinsk and, this year, Sakhalin Region will be buying our apples. By late 2016, the region will have imported around 250 buses and communal machinery from Belarus, and the list of agreements goes on...
Forum participants share views Leonid Zayats, Minister for Agriculture and Food: Agricultural produce worth around $45bln is currently being imported into the common market of the Eurasian Economic Union. Our task is to replace imported products. Svetlana Orlova, the Head of the Vladimir Region’s Administration: I view joint projects in the field of energy as promising. Peat reserves are estimated at 9 million tonnes, and you boast experience of using this fuel. Zhanna Birich, the Deputy Chair of Minsk City Executive Committee: During the forum, Minsk and Moscow signed a plan for 2016-2018: a roadmap for our cooperation across the spheres of industry, transport, housing-and-community, trade, culture, healthcare, education, family and youth policy, social protection and sport. Victor Zimin, the Head of the Republic of Khakassia: On behalf of all people of Khakassia — who suffered from fires a year ago — I wish to thank Belarusians for their help. We’ve received several train carriages of furniture from Belarus, in addition to white goods and other products. Our strength lies in this unity and mutual help. Vadimir Gusakov, the Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences’ Presidium: If we unite Russian and Belarusian scientific potential, much could be achieved. We need to jointly work on artificial intelligence innovations, which is a rapidly developing global focus. Vadim Potomsky, the Head of Orel Region’s Administration: Our plans have been surpassed in most avenues. Orel Region is eager to purchase feed and grain harvesting machinery from Belarus. A project under the GLONASS system is also being realised for Belarusian machinery. Lilia Ananich, Belarus’ Information Minister: You sometimes see speculation online regarding contradictions between our two states’ people. I think we should counteract this sort of information jointly, clearly articula ting the true governmental position, which reflects the genuine state of affairs.
By Vladimir Khromov
беларусь.belarus 2016
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PLATFORM OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Belagro gathers partners Minsk-1 airport hosts official launch of the 3rd Forum of Belarusian and Russian Regions and the 26th International Belagro-2016 Specialised Exhibition
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his year’s Belagro-2016 is a true record setter, with 57 companies from 23 countries demonstra ting their major achievements: in machine building, agricultural production and selection, cattle breeding and plant growing.
The venue covers 31,200 square metres and features stands by enterprises within the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the Ministry of Industry, the National Aca demy of Sciences, the State Committee for Science and Technologies, the Ministry for Emergency Situations, and the Mi nistry for Architecture and Construction, in addition to those from Belneftekhim,
Bellegprom, Belgospishcheprom, and Belkoopsoyuz, and stands organised by the private sector and by farms. As part of the exhibition, the 3rd Forum of Belarusian and Russian Regions opened, with guests able to see the level of regional cooperation between our countries. By Vladimir Velikhov
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PLATFORM OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Mikhail Myasnikovich, the Chairman of the Council of the Republic: “The exhibition features not only achievements within the agro-industrial complex. We’ve attempted to demonstrate that Belarus is a highly developed industrial country, which boasts modern machine building. Belagro is not merely a demonstration of modern goods but a venue to discuss joint projects and conclude contracts.”
Valentina Matvienko, the Chair of the Council of the Federation of Russia’s Federal Assembly: “We’re thankful to Belagro’s organisers for enabling us to see your country’s achievements in the field of agricultural machine building, industry and new agrarian technologies. Development of the agroindustrial complex is an important priority for our countries. Despite some economic problems and an unfavourable market situation worldwide, agriculture is demonstrating a good pace of development. Belarusian food is sought after in Russia, with sales volumes ever growing. Agricultural machine building is also successfully developing and I’m pleased that the Belagro exhibition features produce not only made at Belarusian facilities but also at joint ventures: over 70 such operate all around Russia and we truly have grounds for praise.”
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POSSIBILITIES OF INTEGRATION
Barriers hampering business need to be further removed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko pays working visit to Kazakhstan, to attend the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council session
T
he heads of state have discussed how best to reinforce the EAEU’s economic relations with third countries and key integration ass o ciat ions. Als o high on the agenda was the formation of single markets for gas, oil and oil products within the EAEU, alongside major guidelines for
the EAEU macro-economic policy for 2016-2017, and priorities for the Union’s international activity. On the first day of the visit, Ale xander Lukashenko met his Kazakh colleague, Nursultan Nazarbayev, agreeing that Minsk and Astana need to take measures to overcome negative trends in our trade-economic cooperation. Well-known factors affect our bila teral interaction, including the complex
situation on world markets, as well as in Russia and in Ukraine: both major trade partners for Belarus and Kazakhstan. Friendly conversation between our two presidents has always yielded fruit, and Mr. Lukashenko noted his confidence that this will remain true, identifying efficient instruments to overcome problems. Rejuvenating mutual trade turnover is the main priority at present, with both presidents eager to
Alexander Lukashenko:
Vladimir Putin:
Nursultan Nazarbayev:
The path from concepts to their implementation can be long sometimes and we are ‘to blame’. We need to be stronger and to reinforce our Union in every possible way. This will enable us to more easily conduct dialogue with the European Union, the PRC and others. We’ll be strong then, acting from a common position.
We’re taking another step towards creating a single market for hydrocarbons by 2025, of which we’ve spoken much. Corresponding documents have been prepared, envisaging equal competition conditions across the Union’s territory. Cumulative effect in the gas sphere may exceed $1bln annually, while that of oil may reach up to $8bln per year.
The united market of the EAEU should become a connecting link between the East and the West. Free movement of goods and services as part of our Union corresponds to the Chinese initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt. This project will encompass the spheres of cooperation which offer economic benefit and are of mutual interest for our states.
Word-for-word
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2016 беларусь.belarus
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POSSIBILITIES OF INTEGRATION
promote trade-economic interaction, through governmental liaison. Cooperation across the sci-tech sphere is also important, with several proposals on the table. The Belarusian President believes that concrete decisions must be taken by the time that President Nazarbayev visits Minsk. “No crisis lasts forever,” asserted the President of Kazakhstan. “We’re now working on further strategic collaboration.” In extended format meetings, the EAEU summit in Astana included around 15 issues for discussion, with corresponding decisions adopted. Du ring the first year of the EAEU work, we’ve been left with ambiguous impressions. On the one hand, through integration, our countries have considerably reduced risks, minimising the negative consequences of global shocks on world markets. On the other, obstacles remain to mutual trade, as Mr. Lukashenko underlines. Integration without a shared economic space makes no sense, since we cannot unite without a unified market for hydrocarbons, electricity, medicines and liberalisation of transport services.
беларусь.belarus 2016
The EAEU Treaty covers these matters but little progress has been made in ensuring application. So far, a barrierfree environment and equal economic conditions for member states remain out of reach. We are suffering direct losses as a result, as Mr. Lukashenko stressed, noting, “In 2012 and 2013, the EAEU internal trade turnover stood at $65bln; by 2015, this had fallen to just $45bln. However much our association has evolved (at first, as the Customs Union, then as the Single Economic Space and, finally, as the Eurasian Economic Union), restrictions to mutual trade remained unchanged, with 600 barriers in place.” No one expected a radical breakthrough from the Astana negotiations, but some advancement was hoped for. The presidents of Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia have approved a concept to form single markets for oil and oil products by 2025, while the EAEU energy companies will be granted equal, non-discriminatory access to oil infrastructure of their partners. Additionally, they will be able to purchase oil and oil products
without quantitative restriction, at the market price and without export duties. Next year, the presidents plan to approve a step-by-step programme to implement this concept, signing a corresponding agreement then. A common gas market is planned under the same principle. In Astana, the heads of state also approved major guidelines for the EAEU’s 2016-2017 macroeconomic policy, with three areas receiving priority: inflation, budgetary deficit, and external debt. They have agreed to coordinate their actions to avoid too much deviation from target forecasts. The major message of the summit has been to advance in a more challenging and decisive manner. Moreover, liaising with the EAEU is becoming ever more attractive to other states. Recently, Mr. Lukashenko signed a law on free trade between the EAEU and Vietnam, with China, India, Serbia, Israel, Iran and other countries coming next. It’s quite possible that a form of transPacific partnership within the Eurasian space will soon be observed. We must not lose opportunities. By Vasily Kharitonov
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EVENT
AIMS ARE REAL, June’s Belarusian People’s Congress is not only the event of the month but probably of the year, defining state strategy for the coming five years. We’ll give a full report in our next issue but here focus on key matters for the agenda...
Important to strengthen advantages Minsk delegation at the 5th All-Belarusian People’s Congress was the most numerous — the city was represented by 400 persons
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Tatiana Stolyarova
T
he subject of how widely all s o cial groups are represented at the People’s Congress remains a burning issue. I can only say that, casting my eye over the hall, I saw all ages, and both genders. The Head of Minsk City Council of Deputies, Vasily Panasyuk, supported his observations with statistical figures, noting that half of the Minsk participants taking part are aged 41-60, while those under 31 years old account for 11 percent. Moreover, 12 delegates are currently at university and secondary specialised educational institutions, and four have been granted scholarships from the Special Fund of the President for the Support of Talented Youth. Representatives of working specialities will account for 5 percent of the total number of participants at the All-Belarusian People’s Congress, while those involved in engineering and technical specialities will account for 9 percent; 26 percent are representatives of the socio-cultural sphere. Those employed with law enforcement agencies will account for 7 percent of those attending, while 9 percent will be from public associations and political parties. Women will comprise almost a third of the elected deputies at the People’s Congress.
2016 беларусь.belarus
EVENT
PLANS ARE AMBITIOUS After making a substantive report on results so far, the Chairman of Minsk City Executive Committee, Andrey Shorets, answered questions from delegates, which primarily tackled the development of the capital. Mr. Shorets patiently noted that less housing will be built in the capital compared to previous years, as the President has requested that the city should stop expanding at its past rate. However, city infrastructure will continue to develop, with Minsk gaining more trade centres (although it already outstrips Warsaw, Vilnius and Madrid in this respect). More kindergartens and schools are planned, as are more polyclinics and leisure sites. “Around 60 percent of total expenditure from the city budget is being spent annually on the social sphere,” Mr. Shorets underlined. As a journalist, I found the session fascinating, noting the sincerity of discussion and delegates’ unanimous agreement that we are on a wise socio-economic course, as begun several decades ago. In my opinion, Valery Borodenya, a member of the Standing Commission for Budget and Finance, for the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, was compelling in his statement that it’s important to ‘reinforce and strengthen existing advantages’. He asserted, “We must continue tackling demography, developing rural settlements, as well as small- and medium-sized businesses. We should ensure harmonious development of all forms of property and develop a concrete economy, while encouraging business initiative. I believe that the Belarusian nation will develop in an evolutionary manner, strengthe ning the authority of Belarus.” By Anatoly Pimenov
беларусь.belarus 2016
Matter of worry for delegates Regional delegates prepared for this major national event — thinking of questions they plan to discuss More than 100 people represented the city of Vitebsk at the Belarusian People’s Congress. Anatoly Oladko, the Chief Doctor of Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital, is among them. He is convinced health care has some way to go in terms of development, saying, “In recent times, our hospital has transformed into a powerful medical centre, with kidney transplants among our landmark events, of which we are proud. We were the first in the region to conduct them, in 2015. People realise that health care requires investment, since it’s impossible to develop high techno logies without funds, and the state does render assistance. However, health insurance may be the best way forward. We’ve already begun moving in this direction and we need to discuss it further, with schemes developed carefully. It’s an emotive subject, especially since prompt treatment is known to produce better results, such as in the fitting of artificial limbs or underta king a rare (and expensive) operation. Those who pay for their own private treatment, or import equipment from abroad, show better responses.”
Speaking of the real sector of the economy, the Director of Vitebsk’s Display Design Bureau, Alexander Voitenkov, adds, “We’re preser ving traditional niche in producing monitors able to operate under extreme conditions; our novelty is a 2.5m monitor (diagonal). We also have a 50-inch multimedia control panel, soon to launch at Lukoml hydro-electric station, for use in the CIS counter-terrorist training. We understand the need for product diversification and, accordingly, are liaising with the military and beyond. We’ve produced a micro-display system combined with a fire-fighter’s mask, also developing industrial and street monitors and tables which can be installed at public transport stops, supermarkets and administrative buildings. Our developments enjoy demand in neighbouring Russia and have been displayed at international shows, such as in Malaysia. We’re ready to work in cooperation with Belarusian and foreign scientists, launching innovations into production, with the idea of making money. We want to discuss ways of ensuring efficient production at the Belarusian People’s Congress.”
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EXPERIENCE IS GOOD FOUNDATION
Svetlana Maksimova:
People know what to do; they just need our help The deputy, who knows firsthand about nuances of farmery, spoke about the experience which Russian farmers adopt from Belarusians What’s the way forward? We need to create more cooperative societies. I took my farmers to Finland to show them how local cooperations operate there and found a good example in ‘Valio’, whose butter, milk and sour cream is famous across Russia. Agricultural manufacturers should participate directly in supplying state orders, rather than sales occurring through chain suppliers. We, of course, don’t grow oranges, but we produce meat, milk, potatoes and vegetables. We can deliver directly to shops, as well as to kindergartens, schools, hospitals and military units. If manufacturers know that their produce is being directed appropriately (and not just dumped or fed to livestock) they’ll be encouraged. Prices will fall if we avoid using intermediaries. How can regional co-operatives ensure that they’re wor king to full capacity? Pilot projects which later could be extended in regions, considering their specificity. It is clear that in the south they have different conditions, then for example in Yakutia and in Central Russia. This problem has been solved in Belarus. When I come to Belarus, my heart fills with joy. There aren’t any neglected fields. I once argued with Belarusian colleagues that I’d find a piece of uncultivated land if I kept searching, but I never did! Last spring, I accompanied a delegation from Tver Region to Belarus. We visited several large and small manufacturers,
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examining the development of rural tourism. The trip made a great impression on our farmers, especially the ‘culture of production’. Afterwards, they began revamping their manufacturing. We attended joint fairs, as are held at the weekends, showing agricultural produce, as well as that from industrial enterprises, footwear manufacturers and tailors. Our friends from Belarus showed us a great deal. Belarus has emulated us in refusing to allow certain products to enter the market, to avoid competition. Of course, we need to attend fairs not only in Russia, but also in Belarus. I have to say that it’s difficult to compete with local Belarusian sausages, as they are so meaty. Products with unnatural ingredients simply don’t sell here. Are Belarusian potatoes welcome in Russia? When I was a farmer, I cultivated them in large amounts and found them very tasty. In our Union, we have a Belarusian from Orsha who brought seeds from there. The state has set aside a billion Roubles to subsidise agrarians? It’s not actually as much as you might think. Farmers’ expectations for state support of projects unconnected with the land have not been met, although some grants are available. The state gives 70 million Roubles for certain projects, but it’s a drop in the ocean, and sums don’t always reach the addressee in full. Much depends on regional authorities, and problems can arise. As an agrarian and legislator, I can see the aid needed by villagers, and the legislation required.
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EXPERIENCE IS GOOD FOUNDATION Tell us more… Farmers and cooperative societies cannot develop without plots of land. The former need land for building logistical centres while the second need to create vehicle-tractor stations. Not every farm can afford to buy machinery. In Russia, in order to receive a plot, you need to win an auction. The state is obliged to help you raise a loan, at the very least. There are lots of abandoned fields and villages. Are there those wishing to restore them? People often come to me. One even gathered a team of 22 people, including doctors, livestock specialists, tractor dri vers, mechanical engineers, and teachers. He asked me to find a suitable village. The issue is now before the regional admi nistration. I found a site, and then sent them to the head of the regional administration. I remember, several years ago, that someone engaged in industrial equipment, from Moscow, approached me about entering the farming life. I looked at him and tried to work out what it was that he was chasing. In the end, I suggested
When entrepreneurial people join a village, you tend to see it revive and develop. More children are born, and roads and infrastructure are built. Farming is more than a business, it’s a way of life rabbit breeding. Today, he has 6,000 rabbits, selling the meat at fairs, and to chain shops. Of course, it’s known to be a ‘healthy’ meat. When entrepreneurial people join a village, you tend to see it revive and develop. More children are born, and roads and infrastructure are built. Farming is more than a business; it’s a way of life. Remember how strong (and large) Russian peasant families were. Which projects have you helped recently? A group from Kostroma Region asked us to help launch pig breeding and meat processing, to make a range of pork pro ducts. They applied for a loan under certain terms, but received a loan on quite different terms, as we wanted to encourage them in what looked like a great venture. Does this happen often? Very often; this is why the work of farmers’ unions and associations is important. We can more easily help members of such groups. Unions in the West are a powerful force, with 90 percent of farmers taking membership. By Natalia Dolgushina
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Opinion
Legislation should reflect real life During our conversation, the Chairman of the Council of the Association of Rural and Farm Enterprises and Agricultural Cooperatives of Russia, Vyacheslav Telegin, dropped in to see the deputy Mr. Telegin, what brings you here today? Ms. Maksimova is our deputy, putting forward legislative initiatives and solving general problems. She currently heads the agrarian issues working group of the Committee of the State Duma, working to improve laws affecting agriculture. We didn’t like a number of suggestions being put forward, so we offered ours. For example, the present rules on keeping cows are unacceptable, as they limit a farmers’ herd to just a hundred cattle. What if you have six hundred cows? Do you kill the rest? Two thirds of requirements and norms are now outdated, and amendments aren’t always ideal. This year, it was decided to introduce licensing for manure, applying chemical manufacture rules to farming. We want to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture for similar statutory acts to be withdrawn. Legislation should reflect real life needs. Before considering a bill, provisions need to be coordinated with regions, with specialised associations and with expert professionals. Without doing this, nothing should be submitted for consideration. Which laws need correction? As practitioners, we all have slightly different needs, but those relating to organic agriculture, state support of cooperation, and support for small and medium-sized businesses are most relevant. We can’t be competitive without financial help and favourable conditions. We won’t survive. Russia’s joining of the World Trade Organization has made this especially crucial. We also need to offer preferential tax terms to start-up businesses, for the first five years. Farming in Russia revolves around small-sized businesses, yet many laws are aimed at large enterprises. Those develo ping laws aren’t thinking about ‘babies’. It’s a strategic error. Do you liaise with Belarusians? Which aspects appeal for adoption? Preferential lending is topical for us. In Belarus, farmer privileges are allocated in proportion to land held. We’ve been asking for something similar for a long time: to receive preferential interest rates, as Belarusians have. Quotas are another area. Think of a large sow and a piglet approaching a feeding trough; who will manage to eat more? The analogy is obvious.
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Friends of Belarus
Local Turkmen boy runs into his tomorrow over the ramparts of ancient Nisa (the IIIrd century B.C.). December 2015
Ivan Zhdanovich
Past that looks to the future From where does Turkmenistan’s Ashgabat’s openness, amiability and warm-heartedness originate? From our Soviet past?
M
aybe those who survived the devastating earthquakes of 5th and 6th October 1948, soon after the war, realised the vulnerability of our human state? Perhaps surviving one of the most devastating earthquakes in the history of humankind showed them the importance of humanity and charity, of commitment to doing only good? Survivors of that tragedy have worked to heal their wounds with soothing
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words and kind gestures. Sometimes, silence is enough. Ashgabat citizens still remember the catastrophe, which killed dozens of thousands and injured so many more. St. Petersburg survivors of the Siege share some elements of the same bittersweet pain. Belarus, the land of partisans, lost every third citizen in the war, so we well know how the soul grows on surviving torment.
Olga and Allanur People are the most interesting element of any nation, rather than architecture, monuments or memorials. Looking through our notepads
and listening to interview recordings, we recollect some amazing meetings. We’ll start by telling you about a couple from Ashgabat, who gave us a tour of the old city, from no other motive than the desire to show us a warm welcome. We were strangers, yet they drove us to Nisa, the historical and cultural reserve near Ashgabat, one of Turkmenistan’s three sites listed among UNESCO’s Treasures of Cultural Heritage. We met Allanur Shikhdurdyev (whose first name can be translated as ‘Heavenly Light’) and Olga Solovieva at a book fair, one sunny morning in December. Their daughter was at school,
2016 беларусь.belarus
Valentina Zhdanovich
and the couple, in their early 30s, were browsing books, magazines and leaflets on our Information Ministry stand. We began chatting and it was clear that they were interested in learning more about Belarus. Maybe, because Olga is of Russian and Turkmen origin, coming from an officer’s family. Living in the East, she’s interested in learning more about the Slavic people. We read on the Internet that the number of Russians living in Turkmenistan is now eight times less, having reduced from 340,000 in the Soviet times. Like Belarusians, they have left the country or have sent their children and grandchildren to study at Russianlanguage universities, as not all speak Turkmen fluently. All the country’s higher education establishments teach in Turkmen. Meanwhile, high-ranking posts tend to be occupied by those of Turkmen ethnicity. Olga communicates with her Russian relatives online and tells me that her classmate studied in Minsk, and liked living in Belarus. Allanur is also a ‘child of many nations’, having Uzbek and Jewish blood. His intelligent grandmother, born
Olga and Allanur against the background of Ashgabat Circus building
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in Odessa, escaped to Turkmenistan from the war. His grandfather’s kin were highly cultured and educated, his grandfather studying at a madrasah in Khwarezm (the ancient cultural oasis in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan). Becoming a priest, his grandfather lived a long and interesting life and died at the age of 100. Allanur, born in Ashgabat, studied to be a teacher of languages and philology, and worked at a school for some time. However, he switched to gas extraction in search of a higher salary (even prior to the crisis in which Russian incomes fell, minimum wages in Turkmenistan were 10 percent higher than those in Russia). Allanur’s breeding shows itself in his delicate wit, and thoughtful judgements, his neatly arranged Russian phrases and his easy shifting from Russian to Turkmen. We learnt a new word from them: Nakhalstroy (combining the roots of nakhal meaning ‘jerk’ and stroy meaning ‘build’). It sounds rather oriental. In fact, it’s the name of a city suburb (in Gazha District) where buildings were raised without any documentation. Allanur and Olga have a new 3-room flat that they’ve decorated recently and readily invited us for tea and cakes following our tour. Sadly, we didn’t have time. They note that Turkmen strong family traditions manifest in family groups tending to live in close proximity, within blocks of flats. Some newly-built residential houses even have common use kitchens, convenient for big feasts, showing that old traditions continue to be embraced in the modern city. Touring old Ashgabat, the 30th micro-district, we saw derelict homes, including in inner suburbs, under tall, shady trees. It was quite an exotic spectacle. In preparing this text, we found a series of photo stories about Ashgabat, featuring comments and shots by a Belarusian blogger. He writes, “Most tourists who stay in the Turkmen capital for a brief while think that Ashgabat is an ultramodern city, with beautiful broad avenues, high white-marble houses, luxurious governmental buil
tomkad.livejournal.com
Friends of Belarus
There are still such exotic houses in the old districts of Ashgabat
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Friends of Belarus
The clock tower at the entrance to the territory of Ashgabat Textile Factory is one of few buildings not destroyed during the 1948 earthquake. The tower has been a symbol of Ashgabat for a long time
dings, countless fountains, monuments and memorials…” Yet, he notes, old Ashgabat is home to 80 percent of the city’s population. You can easily find his blogs by searching for TomkaD. Under the motto ‘using my mind and my hammer’, he graduated from the Geographical Department of the Belarusian State University in 2011 (pro bably, as a geologist), and now works in Turkmenistan, as do many Belarusian specialists. He’s passionate about travel, his blog featuring about 10,000 photographs, including beautiful ones of Belarus. During our tour, our guides told us to look attentively, since much of what we were seeing would soon be gone, swept away during coming renovations. The city is to host the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017, so old streets are being broadened, with some green zones removed and old house facades are being covered with white marble. Many of the mosaics on walls, superstructures over apartment entrances, and antennas on top of Khruschev-epoch five-storey blocks are crumbling. Progress is ousting the traditional.
Tower that Survived an Earthquake
Decoration on the wall of the old house
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Allanur and Olga showed us Ashgabat Circus, and we photographed our new acquaintances standing in front. The building is one of the city’s greatest places of interest. Previously, Ashgabat’s hydro power station stood on the site. It survived the earthquake of October 6th, although there was a blackout across the city. Its four highcapacity engines continued operating, but were in danger of damage. In inky darkness, risking his life, the head of the shift, Nurgeldy Meredov, stopped the first engine and, soon, others came to help. They prevented potential overload, allowing the electrical plant to return power amidst the city ruins. We made our second stop at the orthogonal clock tower: one of few build-
ings not destroyed during the 1948 earthquake. It was once part of Ashgabat Textile Factory, recollects Mikhail Goldshtein, one of the witnesses. He tells us, “The factory, although damaged, was not devastated and stood tall in the city ruins. The high tower, with its clock, could be seen from a distance. For many years, it was a symbol of Ashgabat. I remember well the Capitals of the Soviet Socialist Republics stamp series. The Turkmen SSR and its capital, Ashgabat, were represented in the series by an image of this clock tower.” Why didn’t the tower fall? It was built shortly before the earthquake, by young engineer Goldin. “I studied at the same school with his daughter, after the men’s and women’s schools were joined,” recalls Mikhail Goldshtein. “Goldin was accused of overuse of cement, and a criminal case was initiated against him. After the earthquake, it became obvious that he had been wrongly accused, since his building stood up to the shocks. Court proceedings were terminated and, soon after, he became one of the most famous constructors, who restored Ashgabat.” The natural catastrophe helped him prove his innocence. Quality construction is the best protection from calamity. Allanur and Olga tell us that it was Stalin who, following the earthquake, decided that the city should be restored on its former site and that Ashgabat should remain the capital. How many people were killed in the earthquake? Some sources, published fifteen years after the catastrophe, provide figures and conclusions. According to some official statistics, the number of casualties stood at 40,000-60,000 people. Meanwhile, 25,000-30,000 people may have been injured. The city was almost completely devastated, with between 90 percent and 98 percent of residential, utility, manufacturing, cultural and communal buildings destroyed or knocked out of service. Surviving buildings were in poor shape, and often had to be demo lished later. As the city had to be rebuilt
2016 беларусь.belarus
Friends of Belarus Ashgabat, occupying a high post at the Ministry of Health. He regularly visits his father, Savely Krivulko, who lives in Belarus, in the village of Sharibovka, in Buda Koshelevo District.
Business is not a Toy, yet Toys are Business It’s a known fact that Belarus has friendly and business relations with this Central Asian state. In the early 21st century, Turkmenistan was removed from the UN Least Developed Countries List, and many countries now wish to establish friendly relations. In particular, Allanur tells us that South Korean companies are implementing large contracts for gas extraction and processing. He adds, “Turkey is carrying out major construction projects, the French are building some elite sites, the Japanese are re-equipping gas chemical plants, and the Germans are developing mid-sized businesses. Turkmen currency is printed by the British and the Italians are purchasing our cotton.” Turkmenistan has huge potential for development, ranking fourth globally for proven natural gas reserves, and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-PakistanIndia (TAPI) pipeline is being built. Belarusian industrial enterprises have shown particular interest in the
View to old Ashgabat from the hotel window
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night. This is how the Ashgabat lifestyle emerged: trusting, sympathetic and humane. This facilitated an open, friendly attitude. When I accompanied my mother to the market, I was astonished at how many people in the street would greet her.” All this brings to mind the famous lines by Vladimir Mayakovsky: You leave the land with air as sweet as a fruit drink To travel around the world Yet, you can’t fall out of love With the land where you’d be frozen old All who visit the troubled city may remember its special atmosphere. The capital, understandably, translates its ‘living standards’ across the country, and visitors feel it, too. Among them are Belarusian people. Journalist and writer Ales Karlyukevich fell in love with Turkmenistan back in the 1980s, when he served in the Army. Now he is chronicling the history of Belarusian-Turkmen cultural relations. Viktor Yudenok, from the village of Savichi, in Bragin District of Gomel Region, has taken a strong liking to hot Ashgabat. After graduating from Vitebsk Medical Institute in 1972, as a pharmacist, he was assigned a job in Turkmenistan. He stayed on, and now lives in
Ivan Zhdanovich
urgently, cheap labour was brought from Siberian camps, so that convicts could erect buildings. Allanur and Olga’s story is confirmed by Mikhail Goldshtein’s article, which states that convicts helped build the railway station, the prison, the city hospital, Academy of Science buildings, the Medical and Agricultural Institutes, the State University, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Russian Theatre (now, A. S. Pushkin State Russian Drama Theatre) and the National Drama Theatre, alongside buildings of the Council of Ministers, the Central Committee of the Party, and various hotels, schools and housing. The architects learnt a bitter lesson. Rather than building with bricks (including air bricks) they used reinforced concrete and wooden structures for smaller buildings. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the city saw large-scale construction, but housing remained insufficient for some time. “During the hot summer, it was impossible to stay inside tiny ca bins, so many citizens would ‘live’ outdoors,” states Goldshtein. “They placed tables, benches and beds in the shade of trees and would cook on kerosene stoves, eating and sleeping there. In the evening, they’d water and sweep their courtyard, then gather to chat and relieve their hearts in the chill of the
Margarita Aksenova, a private entrepreneur, sells Belarusian children toys in Ashgabat
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Ivan Zhdanovich
Friends of Belarus
The ancient settlement of old Nisa is more than twenty centuries old
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very decent people. Dealing with them is a pleasure.” Three years ago, in May, the first container arrived from Belarus, brin ging toys to Ashgabat shops across the city. Turkmen people have special affection for the Central Asian sheepdog breed, but the Belarusian company isn’t yet manufacturing this toy to order. Malvina’s product line has a St. Bernard dog that looks similar. Margarita Aksenova has been collaborating with Gefest for five years and is pleased so far, saying that the toys sell well. At the 2015 fair, she didn’t find any new business partners, as there were
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Turkmen economy, as we’ve written previously. This time, we wanted to talk to those promoting Belarusian goods to the Turkmen market. At the fair, we noticed some lovely Belarusian toys, made from plastic and fabric. Margarita Aksenova, a private entrepreneur, has been supplying the toys. Margarita’s parents settled in Ashgabat in the Soviet times, so she is almost ‘native’. Her daughter starts school this year. “About three years ago, we participated in the CIS member states fair,” she recalls. “There were various goods manufactured by various companies and we noticed lovely toys from Belarus. Your soft toys, in particular, were attractive, and I liked a realistic toy Collie dog, made by a Malvina firm. I was running a small company, and approached the Belarusians. We’ve been cooperating ever since,” says Margarita. Her company has now expanded, and is also liaising with a Polesie company from Kobrin, which makes wonderful toys. In Brest on business, where she was meeting with another famous company she works with, Gefest, she visited nearby Kobrin. She notes, “The people running this toy-producing factory are adorable! Initially, there were just four of them, making toys in a garage. Now that their business has grown, they have modern production facilities, including lovely assembly workshops; it’s fantastic! I admire their quality control procedures and they are
Aqsaqal. At the bus stop in Ashgabat
very few new companies. However, she has some interesting ideas. For example, when Belarusian politician Mikhail Myasnikovich was visiting one of Margarita Aksenova’s shops, he suggested sales of wooden items. Margarita, like many others from Ashgabat, is of multi-national origin: her father is Russian, and her mother is Turkmen. Her wonderful grandmother taught her to speak fluent Russian, and instilled interest in Russian culture. Thanks to her mother, Margarita speaks Turkmen and is familiar with Turkmen culture. She is full of admiration for the high quality of Belarusian goods and the high standards of customer relations. So far, all the companies she’s worked with have consistently settled organisational and logistical issues, and have shown attention to client requirements, customising their services. There’s also transparency of communication. What did Margarita discover in Belarus, while running a cross-country business? She is charmed by our lovely countryside. “We spent a month in Belarus with my daughter Arina, visiting the Naroch lakes and Brest. We loved it. My daughter was especially happy to see ostriches in the Belovezhskaya Puscha. We were also impressed by the bison and wolf cubs. We were a little bit unlucky to have nasty weather while staying on Lake Naroch but my daughter discovered that she liked blueberries, so we collected those. In this way, we connected with Belarus. My friends’ children are studying in your country, as everyone knows that Belarusian education is good and that Belarus is a safe country. We flew to Belarus with your famous performers Yadviga Poplavskaya and Alexander Tikhanovich. I like Pesnyary band, by the way. My friends who work in the tourist business say that interest towards Belarus is rising. Visa formalities remain an issue though; we had difficulties obtaining a visa for my daughter, but I think it’ll become easier with time,” notes Margarita. By Ivan and Valentina Zhdanovichy
2016 беларусь.belarus
Belta
Soyuz
Belarus — Russia
Talks on concrete topic The Union State Council of Ministers outlines clear focus for social-economic development at Mogilev sitting
T
he heads of governments of Belarus and Russia, Andrey Kobyakov and Dmitry Medvedev, meet often: five times so far across the first five months of this year. This eloquently confirms the closeness of Belarusian-Russian economic integration. Their sixth meeting, in Mogilev, offers further example. The scheduled meeting of the Union State’s Council of Ministers enjoyed a rich agenda, including 27 major issues for our two states’ social and economic development.
беларусь.belarus 2016
Initially, the heads of governments discussed economic problems and results of cooperation between our two countries, including in the energy sphere. They focused on tariffs for supply of Russian natural gas to Belarus and a major integration project: construction of the first nuclear power station in Belarus, using Russian technologies and loans. Trade and economic relations between Belarus and Russia were discussed and both positive and negative trends noted regarding economic cooperation. Andrey Kobyakov commented, “Among the most complicated issues is falling commodity turnover in Dollar equivalent, due to the weakening of national currencies. Volumes have hardly changed, even growing since the beginning of this year.” Figures confirm his words. Russia has strengthened its position as a leading trade partner for Belarus; import volumes to Belarus have increased from 54.8 to 56.6 percent, as a total share. Meanwhile, 48.3 percent of Belarus’ exports go to Russia.
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Belarus has strengthened its position among Russia’s five major trade partners, behind China, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. It is unequalled among the CIS countries. “We’re demonstrating stronger mutual integration interaction,” Mr. Medvedev confirmed. Mr. Kobyakov named trade statistics for the first quarter of 2016 as confirmation of stabilisation. Mutual commodity turnover in this period increased by over 2.6 percent, with Belarusian exports growing by 4.4 percent and Russian exports to Belarus rising by 1.6 percent. He confirmed specific growth of mutual deliveries of production, showing coordinated development of Union State members. According to the heads of government, to promote these positive trends, Belarus and Russia need not only to increase the presence of their goods and services on the common market but to sell to third countries. Naturally, international economic sanctions and countersanctions play their part. Happily, despite these circumstances, accompanied by less solvent demand and investment, the Union State countries aren’t being obliged to limit the presence of their closest neighbour on their markets. They haven’t turned to providing state support to their producers or to introducing additional restrictions or informal barriers on exports from the allied country. Mr. Kobyakov stresses, “As members of the Union State Government, we must rise above the selfish interests of certain producers, branch associations and lobbyists of various departments.” Striking examples of equal and productive cooperation are being observed in the scientific and technical sphere, with most programmes financed from the Union State budget. Four new programmes have been adopted, with one, aimed at car electronics, aiming to promote production of components for passenger cars, raising the technological level of the Union State’s automobile industry. Naturally, we’d like to rival world-known brands, being known for extreme safety, eco-friendliness, comfort, value for money and superb vehicle performance. Mr. Medvedev views this direction as vital for our two states’ economies. “At present, we buy almost all components from abroad but we do have the chance to launch joint production in this sphere,” he said.
This will become an example of effective and coordinated import substitution on the basis of domestic hi-tech developments. Union State programme policy for the automobile industry will continue, having saved such leading enterprises as Minsk Automobile Works and Yaroslavl Motor Plant. Such enterprises as Minsk’s Integral JSC will act as a leading company in this sphere; in line with previously adopted Union State programmes, it has mastered batch production of import-substitution special purpose electronic chips. As a result, the company has received orders for many years in advance. New Union State programmes include support for production of equipment for the space industry, nanostructural optic-electronic devices and development of progressive methods of spinal treatment for children. Three sci-tech programmes have had their concepts approved and, as a result, we have established a reliable reserve of sci-tech cooperation for many years. Most of the Union State budget is being directed in this way, notes the State Secretary of the Union State, Grigory Rapota. He believes that financing will continue, regardless of economic difficulties. Cooperation in overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl tra gedy is a typical example of the efficient use of the Union State budget. This year marks the 30th anniversary of that fateful event. Mr. Medvedev noted, with regret, “Our countries continue facing the consequences of that catastrophe, jointly working to overcome this sad heritage.” The C ouncil of Ministers is considering increasing budgetary spending via the fifth Union State programme dealing with mitigation of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. Common efforts will be concentrated on rendering complex medical care to certain categories of citizens affected by the accident. Three large, specialised medical centres, in Belarus and Russia, have been established as a result of previous Union State programmes, and will undertake all treatments. The recent sitting was one of the most productive. Held for the first time in Mogilev, situated on the border of Belarus and Russia, its location was symbolic. Cooperation between our regions defines the character and volume of Belarusian-Russian trade and economic relations.
Russia has strengthened its position as a leading trade partner for Belarus; import volumes to Belarus have increased from 54.8 to 56.6 percent, as a total share
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By Vladimir Bibikov
2016 беларусь.belarus
The 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia gathers business partners from Brest to Sakhalin
R
epresentatives of 40 Russian and all six Belarusian regions met recently, at the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, on June 7th-8th, in Minsk. Held as part of the slogan of ‘Efficient Social-Economic Policy as Basis for Wellbeing and Spiritual Progress of Belarusian and Russian Citizens’ the event centred on trade-economic relations. Dozens of agreements and contracts were signed, worth over $300mln. The President of Belarus and the Chairman of the Supreme State Council, Alexander Lukashenko, was joined in making speeches by President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Chairman of Belarus’ Council of the Republic — Mikhail Myasnikovich, the Chair of Russia’s Council of the Federation — Valentina Matvienko, the State Secretary of the Union State — Grigory Rapota, and various parliamentarians and ministers. Previous forums have been devoted to the agrarian and industrial spheres but, this time, the social-humanitarian theme came under focus. Nine sections of the forum focused on possible cooperation in the sphere of labour relations and social protection. This covered Belarusian-Russian humanitarian collaboration and interaction in the field of tourism, as well as scientific and sci-tech cooperation, and collaboration in the educational sphere. Union State doctors are being encouraged to liaise. Meanwhile, media representatives of our two states shared their experience, as did leading members of enterprises and organizations. Other venues hosting events linked to the Forum were Nesvizh National Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserve, the Belarusian State University, one of Minsk’s clinical hospitals, the Journalism Institute, the National Academy of Sciences’ Presidium and Minsk Vegetable Factory. Visitors enjoyed diverse round table discussions, with results summed up at a plenary sitting.
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Belta
At Minsk crossroads The State Secretary of the Union State, Grigory Rapota, tells us, “The forum has investigated various topics within the scope of the Eurasian Economic Union, such as harmonising national laws in the field of health protection, information provision on integration processes, and conducting agreed industrial policy. As regards social and humanitarian cooperation, we have grounds for pride in the Union State. However, some issues need sol ving. This forum is a useful format in allowing us to gain understanding of each other’s potential through personal communication. We need to encourage similar meetings in the future.” The international Belagro exhibition is a place for Belarusian and Russian agro-industrialists to meet. Numerous exhibits were on show at the old Minsk aerodrome, open to all visitors. Meanwhile, those wishing to discuss our two states’ cooperation in the industrial sphere met at Atlant JSC, known for its refrigerators and other white goods, which sell across the Union State. After the forum, many heads of Russian regions — especially those from remote areas — travelled to Belarusian regions, to agree further co-operation locally. Minsk’s House of Moscow hosted diverse events devo ted to the Days of Moscow in the Belarusian capital. Our two cities are close-tied, with relations across the spheres of culture and business. Concerts were organised and partnership agreements concluded at the Moscow-Belarusian Forum of Business Cooperation. A festival of regional TV companies from Belarus and Russia also took place, under the Image of Time slogan, and the Union State’s Youth Spartakiade also organised a round of its competition. The final document of the forum is substantial — aiming at developing regional cooperation and enriching it with new forms and possibilities. By Vladimir Fiodorov
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Path to relief
O
n 26th April, the world commemorated a sorrowful date, 30 years after the Chernobyl nuclear plant catastrophe. For scientists, politicians, medical professionals and public figures, it was another reason to finalise a major effort to relieve the consequences of the 20th century’s largest technogenic disaster. Belarus, having suffered most of all nations, with almost a quarter of its territory contaminated by radioactive nuclides, has been the main venue for the discussion of Chernobyl issues. Gomel recently hosted an international scientific conference bringing together about 200 experts, from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, France, Japan and other countries. For the first time, medical workers, radiologists and radiobiologists reconciled their approaches to the problem. Professionals from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, the three former USSR states that suffered most from the Chernobyl disaster, met at Minsk’s National Academy of Science, to discuss the social consequences of the tragedy and measures undertaken to build a new shell over the exploded reactor. In addition, representatives of ten states met at Minsk’s Palace of the Republic, including the UN Deputy Secretary General, Helen Clark, the Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe, Cihan Sultanoglu, and the IAEA’s Deputy Director General, Juan Lentijo. One of the forum’s core topics was Belarus’ experience of relieving the global-scale disaster, including our transition to sustainable social and economic development of affected areas. Just 30 years ago, the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy seemed catastrophic for our small country, with more than 3,600 settlements affected, inhabited by more than 2.2 million people. Due to radiation, 100,000 people were obliged to relocate, and 479 settlements disappeared from the geographical map. About 245,000 hectares of land were recognised as unsuitable for farming. In total, damage is estimated at having cost the nation US$235 billion: equal to 32 annual budgets for Belarus. The tragedy has not broken our people, although we continue to work at providing relief to affected territories. One of our clo
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30 years after the Chernobyl disaster: implementing the Union programme sest partners in this mission is Russia, having also suffered from radioactive fallout (1.5 percent of the Eastern part of the country was contaminated). Common objectives have encouraged our two countries to work jointly to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, with four Belarus-Russia programmes comprising one of the first joint projects. Grigory Rapota, the Union State Secretary, explained in his conference speech, “Billions of Russian Roubles have been spent on Chernobyl-related Union programmes. We’ve launched a Russian-Belarusian information centre, with representative offices in Minsk and Moscow. We’ve also opened medical centres, in St. Petersburg, Obninsk and Gomel, to treat those who’ve tackled the consequences of the tragedy, as well as residents of affected areas. We’re using the latest medical technology and have a unified register listing disaster-affected citizens from our two countries, to help render proper medical aid. The Union State has financed medical assistance to 15,000 citizens of Belarus and Russia, and has improved the health of 17,000 children from affected areas. Meanwhile, 200,000 hectares of radioactively contaminated far ming land and 120,000 hectares of forest have been reclaimed.” In mid-April, Mr. Rapota joined a large group of Russian and Belarusian journalists in touring Gomel Region, including Polesie’s State Radiation and Ecological Reserve, Vetka, and Khoiniki. The route, organised by the Union State Standing Committee, took in the most affected places, although evidence of the destructive past is seen only through commemorative signs such as the Sorrow Monument in Khoiniki. Vetka and Khoiniki are neat and beautiful towns, with successful enterprises, where life goes on and children are born. Mr. Rapota notes that we’ve learnt much over the past three decades, in overcoming the consequences of the tragedy: experience which we’ve been able to share with Japan, following its Fukushima disaster. Belarus and Russia continue efforts to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe, as it’s still too early to say that danger has been completely eliminated. The area contaminated with radioactive nuclides is recovering slowly, but scientists, health professionals, ecologists and economists must persevere.
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The Union State programme to relieve the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe The first programme (1998-2000)
The third programme (2006-2010)
Objective: To create unified scientific and methodological bases and to elaborate legal documents on medical, radiation and social protection of citizens, and on the reclamation of areas affected by radiation, to help implement joint practical measures in the fields of medicine, agriculture, forestry and radiological protection of the population. Total financing: 333.75 million Russian Roubles. Major results: — creation of specialised databases on the main health effects of the Chernobyl disaster; — new techniques and standards of utilising forest in radioactively contaminated areas created; — the Russian Nationwide Centre for Ecological Medicine, in St. Petersburg, built and equipped; and — the clinical radiological centre reconstructed, and a specialised treatment and diagnostic building constructed within the Medical Radiological Centre in Obninsk.
Objective: To formulate and to improve the mechanisms of Russia and Belarus being used to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. Total financing: 1.2 billion Russian Roubles. Major results: — medical centres and hospitals providing medical assistance to the disaster-affected population and to ‘liquidators’ equipped with up-to-date medical equipment; — 204,000 hectares of farming lands and 120,000 hectares of forest in Russia and Belarus brought back into economic use; — average annual exposure doses for critical groups living in contaminated areas of Gomel Region catalogued; and — an atlas published detailing the actual and projected consequences of the Chernobyl disaster in affected areas of Russia and Belarus.
The second programme (2002-2005)
The fourth programme (2013-2016)
Objective: To formulate a unified policy of relieving the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and enforcing this policy. Total financing: 2,378.796 million Russian Roubles. Major results: — Grodno Pharmaceuticals Plant constructed and equipped to provide medicine to the population of affected areas of Belarus and Russia; — a specialised radiological early treatment centre constructed in Gomel to provide medical assistance to the affected population of Belarus and Russia; — a Unified Russian-Belarusian Chernobyl Re gister created, to support targeted specialised medical assistance; and — launching of a Russian-Belarusian information centre to help relief of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
Objective: To improve policies on the joint provision of safe conditions to citizens of Belarus and Russia affected by radiation and to enhance the quality of life for inhabitants of contaminated areas, ensuring interaction between Russia and Belarus in tackling emergency situations in such areas. Total financing: 1.3026 billion Russian Roubles. Major results: — new medical technologies developed and implemented in the spheres of cardiology, oncology, pediatrics and obstetrics; — children’s rehabilitation and therapeutic centres reequipped; — targeted medical aid provided to more than 8,000 ‘liquidators’ of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster; and — a Russian-Belarusian internet portal created for Chernobyl disaster relief issues.
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By Lilia Khlystun
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Minsk Partnership for Future media forum discusses crucial issues of modern journalism
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ontemporary mass media should be prompt, unbiased and responsible — it was the main idea of the Partnership for Future international media forum in Minsk that brought together more than 300 representatives of the CIS and the Union State central agencies, editors and journalists of the leading newspapers, information agencies, television and radio companies, political analysts, and heads of state organizations from twenty countries. Greeting the participants, the President of Belarus Ale xander Lukashenko emphasised that cultural and informational space serves to affirm the ideas of integration and peace. This objective is relevant for the entire socially responsible journa listic society. Looking ahead, this conclusion can be made based on many speeches of the forum participants. This year’s meeting of the international press community was dedicated to several landmark events within the former USSR. The CIS has celebrated its 25th anniversary. The newest history of sovereign Belarus extends back 25 years. Integration of the peoples of Belarus and Russian and development of the Union State has been in progress for 20 years. The media forum participants tackled the core issue at various angles: how to ensure that in the current hard circumstances journalism plays a positive role in respect of the former USSR states and does not encourage destruction. The role of mass media is great, said Belarus’ Information
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Communicating truth
Minister and Chairperson of the forum’s steering committee Lilia Ananich, opening the discussion. Used dishonestly, mass media could pose challenges and threats, and it should be prevented. The Union State mass media show an example of efficient collaboration in this area. For example, for more than 16 years The Sovetskaya Belorussiya and Rossiyskaya Gazeta dailies jointly publish the Soyuz. Belarus-Russia weekly. The Sovetskaya Belorussiya chief editor Pavel Yakubovich proudly said that in most critical moments the weekly’s journalists restrained from taking a position of super patriots. “Gas, milk and other sorts of ‘wars’ will finish, while our peoples will be living together forever. Being friends is better than not being friends,” he said. Common informational space helps implement this approach. We should take efforts to further enhance it, said the Union State Secretary Grigory Rapota to journalists: — 27 issues considered at the latest meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers included measures to create and to improve a single informational space of Belarus and Russia. There should be logics in interaction with the press. Our task is to make so that first, people are aware of us and second, they understand us. It is impossible to solve any task without informational support. A positive image can be created through proving the ability to function. Press has its own logics and it is important to understand how it works. Yet another goal of the Union State Standing Committee cooperation with the press, according to Grigory Rapota, is unveiling myths. On the eve of the 30th commemoration of the Chernobyl disaster, the Standing Committee supported a press tour of Gomel Region where the journalists saw personally that many statements about hazardous life in the Chernobyl-adjacent zone were untrue. Certain protective measures should be taken, though. For the first time Russian bloggers were invited to take part in the tour. Readers’ feedback to their posts appeared no less significant than those to professional journalists’ publications. Much was said about internet advancement over traditional mass media. This trend is quite dubious. On the one hand, mass media do have room for improvement. The pace of professional
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journalists’ life is extremely fast today, said general director of Rossiyskaya Gazeta editorial office Pavel Negoitsa. Therefore, very often they cannot cover integration topics interestingly and substantively. Meanwhile, some publications on the internet often have nothing to do with quality journalism. Irresponsible insinuations about gas or milk ‘wars’ within the integration space stem from the web. Many speakers admitted that journalists should take responsibility for some ‘non-smoothness’ across the CIS. The forum participants cited examples of tendentious publications undermining the beginning of a tourist season in one of the young republics. A fellow colleague, just at the forum, took the liberty to make some overly sharp statements about Russia’s economic policies in respect of partner countries, which did not find understanding among the other participants. Baku’s Nelli Guseinova voiced the common opinion: journalists should be very particular about what they say. 27 million people — this is the price that our peoples have paid for the possibility to live together for mutual understanding. It’s more than enough for having the right to unity. Important relevant integration documents were passed one day before the forum at the meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers. Alexey Volin, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications, spoke about the measures to create and improve a common informational space of Belarus and Russia. They include covering the Union State activities, collaboration between print media, information agencies, TV and radio companies, and unified approaches to the regulation of the internet to eliminate propaganda of violence, pornography and drug abuse. In his speech, Alexey Volin also focused on cooperation in the field of personnel training for the media sphere, noting the need to use the information industry to train specialists. He forecasts that training methods will change drastically, saying, “Alumni of special courses on professional training (established at main media platforms) will largely replace those from the Journalist Institute and the Department of Media Communications in taking responsibility for training.” Mr. Volin notes
that the only way to attract an audience is to produce high quality, interesting materials. Other forum participants shared this viewpoint. The event ended with adopting a resolution calling mass media to take responsibility for consolidation and creation, mutual understan ding and collaboration within our society — all that the today’s conditions make a major mission for journalists. The forum was the main event of the Belarusian media week held in Minsk. It was accompanied by the Mass Media in Belarus international fair where professionals discussed new trends and exchanged experience. For beginners, like in previous years, the Belarusian State University’s Institute of Journalism organised a Summer School of Journalism. Reputable mass media professionals gave master classes to students. At the same time, the 45th meeting of the standing workshop of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia was held in Minsk. Representatives of the Union State Standing Committee and experts discussed the issue of a common informational space of the Union State. According to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee for Information Policy Andrey Naumovich, participation in the events of the Belarusian media week made the dialogue deeper and more focused and helped enhance integration in various spheres. This, in its turn, will assist social and economic development of Belarus and Russia. The role and objectives of the common informational space in the contemporary geopolitical circumstances should be defined as well as the procedure of interaction of the Union mass media with the two countries’ authorities and the weight of mass media in creating a positive image of the Union State. Belarus’ Information Minister, Lilia Ananich, took part in the workshop. She emphasised the role of the Union print media, TV and radio projects in the integration of the two countries. Concluding the work of the seminar participants, the Minister stated: “Belarus has confirmed its status as an international media platform to discuss urgent issues and the role of mass media in their resolution.” By Vladimir Yakovlev
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Silver strings of Vitebsk Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk to enjoy new creative format
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he 25th International ‘Slavianski Bazaar’ Festival of Arts — gathering guests to Vitebsk from July 14th-18th — is celebrating its ‘silver’ anniversary. The Summer Amphitheatre has been welcoming music lovers for 25 years. As is traditional, the Day of the Union State will be one of the brightest pages at the musical forum, scheduled for July 15th. The ‘Union State Invites’ concert will feature the Russian Army’s Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance (named after A.V. Alexandrov), as well as famous Belarusian and Russian artistes. The Year of Culture in Belarus, Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Festival of Art’s 25th anniversary are key themes, with organisers promi sing a memorable programme.
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This year is inspired by the Olympic Games, embracing a stronger element of competition and theatricality. Participants of the International Pop Song Contest will fight for the Festival’s Grand Prix: the Golden Lira. As at the Olympics, only the best singers gain a place at the contest. This year, the adult and children’s competitions will gather representatives from 28 countries, with guests from at least 40 countries attending. By the time the event arrives, its scope may be even larger. On the opening day, the flag of the World Association of Festivals will be raised by the Slavianski Bazaar’s Director, Alexander Sidorenko (who took his role in 2015). A grand Olympic-style parade of participants and guests will promenade Vitebsk’s main street on the opening day of July 14th, joined by brass bands, and there will be on-stage performances by groups. Naturally, accredited journalists will cover every aspect. The opening gala concert remains the most star-studded and expensive within the Festival, this year featuring Alla Pugacheva, Maxim Galkin, Valery Leontyev, Larisa Dolina, Sergey Lazarev, Piotr Yelfimov, Aliona Lanskaya, Thomas Anders, Maryla Rodowicz and other popular artistes. Ticket prices remain the same as last year. Organisers are aiming to enter the Guinness Book of Records with their ‘On Seven Winds’ poetry-reading ma rathon, during the Festival of Street Art. Artistes, poets and amateurs will attempt to read around a thousand poems, for over 10 hours, to break the world record. The jubilee theme will continue at the ‘25 Summer Moments’ concert, scheduled for July 16th and featuring the National Academic Concert Orchestra of Belarus (conducted by Mikhail Finberg), and winners of the ‘Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk’ Grand Prix, and other festival winners from past years. Union State awards in the Field of Literature and Art for 2015-2016 will be a highlight of the Festival, with the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the State Academic Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra (named after P.I. Tchaikovsky) being awarded for his Songs of Military Years project, alongside two other artistic teams. The first comprises Fiodor Povny, the prior of Minsk’s Parish of All Saints, sculptor Vladimir Slobodchikov and architect Igor Morozov, who are being awarded for their monument to His Holiness Patriarch, Alexy II. The other team is composed of Anatoly Yarmolenko, the Artistic Director of ‘Syabry’ Ensemble, composer Oleg Yeliseen kov and poet Ivan Yurkin, who are being recognised for their ‘Where the Guelder-Rose Blossoms’ musical album. Awards will be presented on the Day of the Union State. By Sergey Golesnik
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PANORAMA Experts make an impression The State Committee of Court Expertise interested in international co-operation development
Domestically produced pills save money Leading pharmaceutical markets are now operating under the principle: to make more generics and less patented drugs
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se of analogues of imported medicines is no less efficient but costs less for the state. Import substitution is a leading avenue of the domestic medical preparation production and we’ve stu died how manufacturing of foreign drugs’ copies saves money. Cancer, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, diabetes are the disea ses which little depend on human factors. Apart from some other diseases, these are common nowadays: an increasing number of patients suffering from cancer, heart problems and respiratory diseases are registered. Drugs to treat them are provided free of charge in Belarus and local analogues are no less efficient than foreign medicines. Importantly, they are less expensive and, accordingly, many more patients can afford buying them. “Creation of local analogue is a global trend,” the Deputy Director of the Health Ministry’s Department of Pharmaceutical Industry and the Head of the Economy and Marketing Department — Victor Shein — asserts. “The tendency is supported by recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the logics of the national market development. The share of Belarusian drugs is growing and, at the moment, makes 50 percent. Importing drugs creates a major burden for the Republican budget, while generics make it possible to save money. While introducing new domestic analogues to the market, we considerably reduce the budgetary load.”
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he Committee’s Chairman, Andrey Shved, believes that the experience and achievements of expert witnesses are an integral part of the development of national justice. With this in mind, Minsk gathered representatives of the major European organizations in the field (uniting 64 expert establishments from 36 countries), the ENFSI, on February 4th-5th. Under its initiative, the meeting moved from London to Minsk and Belarus has hopes for close business cooperation with its foreign colleagues. Representatives of the major European expert agencies attended lectures, exchanged opinions and familiarised themselves with Belarusian specialists and the experience of working as part of a single state body, Mr. Shved met the ENFSI Chairman and the General Director of Belgium’s National Institute of Crimina listics and Criminology, Jan de Kinder, to discuss the prospects for collaboration. Belarus is ready to help Europe in its fight against drugs. According to Mr. Shved, the experience of our country in this field is unique and is related to the legal mechanism which acknowledges prohibited substances and Belarus’ quick response to infringements. As Mr. Shved noted, ‘designer’ drugs move mostly from the east to the west and Belarus receives data on new types of psychotropic substances earlier than Europeans. In turn, Mr. de Kinder noted that the European court experts view cooperation with Belarus as an important aspect and, in the future, the issue of whether to accept our country into the European organization will be considered. “The European network of court-expert establishments never stops working to improve the quality of its studies. Much has been done in Minsk in this respect recently I’m convinced our cooperation will be mutually beneficial,” he added.
Martians, we are coming! Belarusians ready to offer Russia services in realising space programmes to other planets
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he General Director of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences’ United Institute of Informatics Problems, Alexander Tuzikov, tells us, “In early April, we met our Russian colleagues to discuss how our scientists could join the Russian Fe deral Space Agency in achieving its projects. One we can help with is the development of a lunar base and a lunar-mobile.” Staff at Minsk’s Lykov Institute of Heat and Mass Transfer are already testing the Russian-European ExoMars-2018 project’s rover vehicle. Anticipated launch is in two years’ time, with Belarusian scientists tes ting durability. The chief designer of the Belarusian remote sensing system, Sergey Zolotoy, comments, “Our unique testing tools and instruments for making covers perform well in a dense atmosphere. We’re helping ensure that the Mars vehicle doesn’t kick up too much dust.” In January, the first Belarusian telecommunication satellite, Belintersat-1, was launched; on April 12th, its land management complex came into operation near Minsk. This November, Belarus-born Oleg Novitsky will make his second space flight, having commanded the international expedition to the International Space Station in 2013.
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Small Homeland
Once upon a time, there was a village called Bratkovichi
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ow does a human soul choose its place to live on the Earth? It is a mystery. My village, Bratkovichi, fell victim to the Chernobyl tragedy. The disaster forced us, the inhabitants, to leave our homes. What is left to us are only memories of years-long life in the village; the place where I was born and grew up. There, my soul had inherited an immeasurable treasure, which filled me with kindness and beauty, enough for my entire life. We lived in Randa Street. Children would gather there to play, and that was a happy time. We’d run in the meadow or play by the river, or walk through the beautiful oak forest. We never felt sad, for each season would bring its own joys and delights. We were happy in spring, when slender birch trees would put on their green kerchiefs, in summer when the meadow behind our garden would bloom. Not far from the meadow there
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was a river and, farther away, oak woods grew upon a hill. Both children and grown-ups would gather by the river; the air ring with joyfulness, the birdsong of leden and larks. Then, autumn would enchant us with its immense riches in gardens and orchards. I remember juicy apples tempting me to pick them. Trees and bushes would delight my eyes with their red and golden outfits. In mushroom time, I’d head to the oak forest, ta king our small, bear-like dog. He’d hunt chanterelles, digging them out with his paws in such a way as made me laugh. It was always quiet in the forest, with only the whispering sound of leaves, seeming to imbue a sense of fairy tale magic. My parents taught me to respect people of labour. My father told me once that the Homeland starts with a grain seeded in the furrow. I felt special respect towards farmers. Once, I was watching a group of women gathering hay. They were beautiful — suntanned, in their light dresses with floral patterns. Working as a team, I could hear them joking and laughing.
Ivan Zhdanovich
This village of Bratkovichi in Kostyukovichi District of Mogilev Region doesn’t exist anymore. In the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident, the area became contaminated with radioactive nuclides, and its inhabitants were relocated from the area. Now, the village is only present in people’s memories.
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Small Homeland It seemed that the women were part of nature and the harvest, and the sun was shining brighter for seeing the beauty of their laughter, and kinship in labour. Yet, this image seems so long ago. My mother was a teacher at Bratkovichi Grammar School. From childhood, I liked the idea of learning, as my mother would often tell me stories about her schooling, teachers and pupils. Her eyes would shine with enthusiasm when she was narrating, as she loved those open-hearted people who knew both how to work hard and how to have fun. In summer, as evening approached, we would gather in the street. I was pleased to hear women singing and admire the silvery dew sparkling in the meadow, and to sense with my entire body the earth going to sleep. Violets emanated their scent into the night air. My mother seemed always nearby. Her name was Maria Ivanovna Avkhocheva. My mother also led amateur ta lent groups in Bratkovichi. Teachers, schoolchildren and our fellow villagers were excited to present their talents on stage. Lovely performances delighted both audiences and fellow artists, many of whom were truly gifted. I still remember a young accordion player who would always rock the stage! One of the villagers was awarded an honorary diploma from the BSSR Culture Ministry, and that prize was well-deserved. At school, we had a very good orchestra that acted like a well-organized team. I still have memories of the wonderful music, borne from honest, soulful musicians, playing so generously, touching our young hearts. Bratkovichi citizens knew how to ce lebrate holidays. For instance, my friends and I would long for Easter. My mother would sew us new dresses for the holiday and my soul would sing with joy. I felt like the pure spring-swelled stream; running, swirling, and rushing along. School years were the sweetest part of my life. My mother was first teacher to my elder sister and to my brother, and myself. Though I now recollect it with a smile, it was hurtful at first that my
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mother would show affection for all her pupils, not me alone. Then, I got used to it. In primary school, my mother opened us to this wonderful world, so full of beauty. Have you ever felt mother love from a teacher? I used to be wrapped in it! During breaks, we’d play in the school-yard. At upper school, we found each subject to be interesting. We liked and respected all the teachers. I will always remember that fairytale place; the school seemed a wonderful palace, where the teachers were kind-hearted and smart wizards, asto nishing us children with daily miracles of learning. During the long break or after classes, we’d run to the oak forest, that gorgeous realm of nature. Each part of school life had something special to offer: during classes, or school garden works, and at school parties, where we girls looked so attractive. We were glad to see the boys peeking at us. We wanted to look like young teachers. I have memories of first love there; such a tender feeling. Memories of young men giving flowers, and being ready to swim to the middle of the river, where a white lily grows for you, and all the while he is admiring you, not the flo wer. It brings to mind a verse by Maxim Bogdanovich: You only see the beauty, A lovely woman’s face A golden plait, And blue eyes. Now that I’ve grown older, it seems to me that we were happy just because we possessed that great treasure: youth. We were happy because we loved and because everything around was flouri shing — the meadow, the oak forest and garden. Our dear and lovely teachers not only taught us various subjects, they taught us how to love our Motherland. We were ready, if necessary, to defend every single tree, every single shrub, and our parents’ old house — everything that constituted our Homeland. However, how could we defend what was dear to us when the enemy was in-
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Small Homeland visible? The radiation invaded our home village. We leaned towards the light and kindness as a small seedling leans towards the gentle sun and wind, unaware that it might encounter the cold and frost and that a human could do grave and senseless harm to it. Perhaps it’s good that during those idyllic school years, we knew so little about grief and sorrow. That is why I will always remember my school years as the best time of my life. Right after I finished school, I became seriously ill. When I recovered, after hospital, I studied at a university in Moscow. However, I never gradua ted, because of severe health problems. For some time, I lived and worked in Minsk. Living in the big and busy city, however, did not suit me and, following the advice of doctors, I returned home. I worked in my village and stayed at hospitals and health retreats from time to time. Once, I was literally between life and death. At that moment, I only wished to see my Bratkovichi once more, to visit my home, to sit in my garden, to walk by the river, to go to the oak forest on the hill near the rye field, to lean against my mother. I wanted her to stroke my head, as in childhood. I longed for it as one might long for a sip of water in the heat. My soul and my heart continue to yearn for my home village. But my mother will never meet me on our home porch, nor will she ever warm me with her love again. Several times, I had the opportunity to visit my village, now in the exclu ded zone, during the Radonitsa festival. I wanted to kiss my dear land, to bow to the memory of it, in both happy and uneasy hours. My fellow villagers would hug and chat, but always it was not enough. Our land seemed
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still to radiate some special warmth. It seemed that it did not want to let us go. Now, I cannot visit my home village — it has disappeared, as has the house. The place where Bratkovichi was located can hardly be recognized. Yet, my small Homeland, now abandoned, remains dear and near to me. I understand so well the Russian officer from the famous song, whose love for Russia was so great that, when challenged to a duel abroad, said: ‘Oh, gentlemen! I wish I dueled amidst my dear birch trees!’ Similarly, I should say that I’m so glad to have had Bratkovichi in my life; with its white birches, bird cherry trees, blooming meadow, my parents’ house and my school. It is mysterious to contemplate what strong power the natural world has over a human being. Nature inspires artists, writers and musicians. You listen to a song and imagine birches rustling on a river bank. You see the starry skies and hear trees whispering. All that is left now is the memory of my original home, where a part of my soul and heart will stay forever. I’m looking at photographs: my former teachers, their pupils, my classmates. A journey to the past is both joyful and sad. I am holding the remnants of the valuable past in my hands. It was so hard to part with our village and relocate. It seemed that e ven t he t re e s i n my
orchard were upset, the bushes bent down, the water in the river gone black, the odorous lilac faded. Some of the people I knew have passed away. When relocation began, my mother died, and then my brother, who lived in Minsk, also passed away. My sister lived in Ukraine. After I moved to the settlement of Shareiki (now an agrotown) I experienced some hard times, in all respects. My anemia aggravated and I even fainted once. In my faint, I saw a shining palace and a beautiful blue background in front of my eyes. I felt as if I were dead. It was an interesting experience. If the human soul is immortal, it bears responsibility for our deeds. Sadly, some people choose to do evil in their short earthly life. Some dare devastate that created by others. Looking into myself, I feel that my heart wants to live in harmony, kindness and beauty. Meanwhile, the antagonistic clash of good and evil in humanity continues. Life is a mystery. What power does it have? What makes us love it and long for love even when living is hard? What makes us strive for life as snowdrops strive for light and warmth, growing out of the snow despite all calamities? Everyone has their own ideas about the sense of life and our vocation on Earth. Some say that life is senseless. Some compare it to a sunray that sparkles for an instant amidst the clouds to disappear again. No sense, no use. Maybe life is just about finding the ability to be happy about this lovely moment of living itself. Maybe it is about living your life decently? When you look at a blooming meadow, you don’t see individual flowers, yet every single plant is part of the meadow’s beauty. I wish every person aspired to behave as such a flower. Then, perhaps, life and the world would be different — kinder, happier, more beautiful — like my Bratkovichi, that will stay with me forever. By Nina Gavrilenko, Shareiki agro-town Kostyukovichi District, Mogilev Region
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SOCIAL MEDIUM
Statistics inspire hope Spring is a time for ‘birth’ in many ways, with the National Statistical Committee of Belarus noting a record number of newborns
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tatistical data from recent years leaves no doubt: our country’s population is now visibly increasing. Sceptics say migration processes are behind the rise, which is partially true, since 28,400 people arrived in Belarus last year, against 9,900 who left (a rise of 18,500). However, we’ve also seen rising births for several years. The Deputy Chair of the National Statistical Committee, Zhanna Vasilevskaya, is optimistic that the state demographic policy is reaping results. Birth rates have been steady for three years, reaching 12,5 per 1,000 people, with the highest level registered in 2015, in Brest and Minsk Regions (at 13,5).
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“Last year saw the largest number of newborns over the last five years — at over 119,000,” adds Ms. Vasilevskaya. “This is almost 500 more than in 2014 and 11,000 more than 2010. Minsk leads, with almost 23,000 babies born in 2015 (a fifth of the total number countrywide). Just over 19,000 newborns were born in Minsk Region, followed by Brest and Gomel Regions.” Last year, natural population growth was registered in 83 cities and 24 towns (against a rise in 51 cities and 17 towns respectively five years ago). Even rural areas are showing population growth, in Minsk, Brest and Mozyr Districts. In total, last year, the country’s population rose by 17,500 people. As of early
2016, the figure reached 9,498,000, with the greatest share residing in the capital. Almost 1.96mln people live in Minsk (every fifth resident). Gomel Region leads among the regions, with 1.423mln people (every seventh resident). Ms. Vasilevskaya notes changing trends, saying, “In recent years, the number of children born within wedlock has risen. In 2010, 80 percent of newborns were born to married couples, and this figure increased to 86 percent in 2015. Young people are waiting longer to have children, reflecting education, a desire to pursue their career, and marriage ages rising. Over the last five years, the number of births to women aged 15-19 years has fallen by 12.6 percent. For those aged 25-29 years, the figure has risen by 13.6 percent. Meanwhile, for those aged 30-34 years, births have risen by a third, and births to women aged 35-39 have risen by 50 percent.” Last year, 1,316 women gave birth to twins and 21 women had triplets (five years ago, these figures stood at 1,027 and 18). Half of all births are second or third children (or greater). Last year, Brest Region took the lead in this para meter, while Minsk led in the number of second children.
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HEALTH AS PRIORITY
The most important is to keep healthy
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suzsanna Jakab, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, added that B elarus boasted the world’s greatest level of children immunisation, at 99 percent, and that other European regions should follow its example. Notably, no cases of child mortality were reported last year. Ms. Jakab also noted Belarus’ success in fighting HIV, tuberculosis, and oncological and cardiological diseases. Belarus is the first country worldwide to have been visited by a UN inter-institutional group.
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Vitaliy Gil
More than one hundred seventy thousand foreigners got medical aid in Belarus in 2015. And this figure continues to increase. In summer people come to us not only to have a rest, but also to undergo treatment, because modern medicine in Belarus is a combination of advanced technologies and long-time national traditions of treatment and health improvement.
Active speleotherapy in Soligorsk mines
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HEALTH AS PRIORITY Contemporary medicine embraces a range of holistic and alternative treatments and therapies, from genetic testing, Voll diagnostics, self-massage and speleo (cave) treatments to chronotherapy, and those involving leeches and hot stones. Craniosacral therapy and osteopathy are popular too. Most Belarusian medical centres offer a wide range of modern services, as do beauty salons. In my block of flats, for instance, there’s a hairdressing salon offering cedar barrel relaxation treatments. Some Belarusian clinics are listed as the CIS leading institutions, such as the Republican Speleotherapy Hospital in Soligorsk. Alongside traditional therapeutic methods, it offers speleological treatment of respiratory illnesses, using salt wards at a depth of 420m-480m; 300 million year old underground rock salt caves, which contain a potassium layer, offer unique medical treatments, dating from ancient times.
Herb doctor Sophia will help everybody who addresses her
A Little History
Belta
Our predecessors believed that evil spirits were behind our ailments, so would wear amulets to frighten off the demons. Before Christianity, inanimate objects were thought to each contain their own divinity, leading to the worship of stones and trees. People would beseech help in recove
Calendula is a useful flower
ring from maladies, including from the well-known Mara Goddess fieldstone (now held by the Belarusian Medical History Museum in Minsk). The goddess Mara, being thought to especially help women, still has a following among women of today, who like to visit the stone. In the past, people would charm away diseases and use healing herbs, and herbalists and healers continue to operate across Belarus. One such is herbalist Sofia, who lives in Volkovysk District of Grodno Region. She knows more than 300 plant species and helps all who address her for advice. Minsk doctor Valery Molostov, who has written more than ten books on biology and sociology, acupuncture, massage, and back problems, is known to have visited a
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herbalist in a village upon finding it impossible to cure his own sore finger. Miraculously, he began to heal following her non-traditional treatment: she lit a candle, prayed and wrapped his finger in red cloth. Many of today’s medical innovations have their roots in 16th century Renaissance times. Spectacle-maker Zacharias Janssen invented the microscope, which allows us to study cell structure and gave birth to microbiology. Renowned physicists Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta came up with the electrotherapy methods still in use today. Electricity is used in all manner of medical interventions, from defibrillation and electrophoresis, to Voll diagnostics. Minsk has long had hospitals and houses caring for the homeless and elderly. Its first pharmacy opened in 1659, with the second only following 123 years later. Minsk’s pharmacies rivaled those in Europe, and its number of educated physicians grew steadily. One such was our first printer and public figure, scholar and philosopher Francisk Skorina. Interestingly, physicians would often only diagnose, leaving barbers to perform practical tasks, as they would cut hair. The removal of teeth and amputation of limbs would often fall to barbers, alongside the conducting of caesarian operations and plastic surgery. By the 18th century, doulas and quacks were being trained at specialised schools, the difference between folk and official medicine gradually disappearing. Early in the 20th century, a territorial hospital opened in Minsk (housing until recently the 2nd Municipal Clinical Hospital); it was the oldest of Minsk’s operational medical institutions (having first opened in 1799). Ivan Zdanovich was the first chief physician of the territorial hospital, dubbed ‘a doctor of kindness’, as he invested his own savings into the purchase of medical equipment. To raise money in Minsk, there were ‘white flower days’; daisies and lilies were sold on every corner, to help pay to build dispensaries and to treat tuberculosis patients.
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HEALTH AS PRIORITY The last century’s technical progress positively influenced Belarusian medicine, triggering its robust development. X-ray radiology emerged, and scientists invented devices to examine the performance of all human organs and systems. Ultrasound scanning allowed pregnant women to learn the sex of their babies and see the shape of the fetus. Of course, every home can now afford its own blood pressure monitor, thermometer and inhalation device, while massaging devices, air humidifiers, ice chambers and infrared saunas are ever more popular. The biggest transformation has arrived with genetic technologies.
at high altitudes. Those with lower ability can travel earlier, to give their body time to adjust. Psycho-emotional characteristics can also be mea sured, such as stress tolerance, helping optimise drug dosage. Irma Mosse notes that some people require fifteen times the volume of a drug in order for it to take effect. She tells us that about fifty medicines may not be prescribed without tolerance testing, since inappropriate dosage can be fatal. The Institute’s sequenator device is being used to e xamine every human gene, with most tests being requested by medical professionals before conducting vital surgery. Belarusians are increasingly eager to gain a personal genetic passport, especially those having trouble conceiving. Treatment based on results has seen an 80 percent success rate in women carrying babies to term. Irma recollects one mother having a genetic passport made for her six-month old baby girl, wishing to guard her daughter’s health from infancy. Recently, American Prof. Leroy Hood, of the Institute for Systems Biology, who is known for his DNA structure research, introduced 4P medicine (Predictive, Preventive, Personalised and Participatory). The aim is to improve our quality of life and increase longevity by ten or twenty years. ‘Predictive’ implies that we can pre-identify potential defects in a healthy organism through genetic testing. ‘Preventive’ means using a proactive approach to identified effects. ‘Personalisation’ implies tailored treatments taking into account a genetic passport. ‘Participation’ requires that a patient should be involved in their treatment.
Prevention Instead of Treatment
Tatiana Stolyarova
As we know, prevention is better than cure and current genetic knowledge takes this principle to a new level. In Minsk, tests for genetic defects are taking place at the Human Genetics Laboratory, of the Genome Tech-
Irma Mosse. Geneticist portrait
nologies Centre of the Belarusian Academy of Science’s Genetics and Cytology Institute. It is the CIS’ only such authorised centre, its lab annually taking part in interlaboratory verification of genotyping results, conducted by the Reference Institute for Bio-analytics, headquartered in Bonn. Every year, the lab is awarded certificates confirming the correctness of its approach. What is genotyping? Irma Mosse, who heads the lab, says that the most popular tests are those for cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, osteoporosis and premature delivery. Health problems are not the only reason why Belarusians use the centre. Tests can reveal whether a person’s genes affect their physical tolerance or ‘talents’. All of our national sports teams undergo genotyping. Results help, for instance, in testing ability to withstand exercise
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Principle of Integrity Thousands of years ago, Tibetan medicine treated the body holistically, looking not at individual organs but at its whole. Ayurveda, the ancient science of healthy and long life, appeared in India more than 5,000 years ago, with its followers ever growing in number. Ayurveda suggests that the unity of the body, senses and motion, of mind and soul, is vital to good health. Chinese medicine also views human health holistically, from four positions: psyche, emotions, the meridional system, and physical cover. Our western model re cognises only the psyche and body. According to Chinese physicians, disease begins in the mind, followed by negative emotions, acting according to the ‘thought generates desire’ principle. This distracts from the natural flow of energy that moves within our organism, according to a specific pattern. We lose vital energy and, consequently, fall ill. The Chinese cure the person, not the disease. Of course, physicians who could not prevent the Emperor from falling ill would be removed from court.
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HEALTH AS PRIORITY covery. The author cites examples of people who, through self-massage, cured spinal disc herniation and infertility. It sounds incredible!
Tatiana Stolyarova
***
Tomograph is usual equipment at Belarusian hospitals
Fantastic Future According to researchers, medics will have learned how to ‘repair’ mutated genes by 2017, being able to restore damaged DNA and remove redundant genes. It sounds fantastic! Back in the 20th century, genetic engineer Bruce Lipton told the scientific community that the power of thought could change DNA coding, thus curing any disease. He confirmed Leroy Hood’s theory that a cell can be influenced externally, through sheer belief. Similarly, hypnosis can reprogramme the unconscious and bridge gaps left by psychological wounds, inflicted as a child or by negative life experience. Bruce Lipton says that the placebo effect has been known for thousands of years, but we must have faith in order for it to work. Acupuncture is another treatment regaining popularity in recent decades. In the mid-20th century, German dentist Reinhold Voll created a device resembling a galvanometer and employed his acupuncture knowledge to diagnose cases. Small electrical currents were run through points on the hands and feet. Data was then collected for early pathological identification. Quick and painless, without contraindications, the treatment is popular in more than 30 countries. To interpret results correctly requires great expertise. Acupuncture is an ancient alternative medicine, like homeopathy, while reflexologists and homeopathists often use electroacupuncture (according to Voll). Minsk has several practitioners, while most homeopathic pharmacies and state polyclinics have physicians able to tailor medicines in the form of drops or rolls. Recently, I ran across a book by Nikolay Ignatenko, from Minsk, called Self-Massage. The author states that we all have the power to influence our organs and heal ourselves, using ancient Slavic massage techniques, which work upon the stomach lining. Massaging the belly, by pressing or tapping, causes a ‘response’ from inner organs, and improves blood circulation, encouraging re-
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At the Belarusian Medical History Museum, I’m l ooking at cutting tools once used for surgery. It’s clear how far we’ve come. Belarusian medical centres and hospitals are equipped with up-to-date facilities that meet modern European standards. However, all our achievements are built on the work of past giants. Academician and neurosurgeon Arnold Smeyanovich passed away recently, aged 75. He worked until his final days, saving lives through surgery. I recall reading an interview in which a man, aged 20, visited the great surgeon, to thank the doctor for having saved his life when he was just 3 years old, from brain cancer. Last year, Irina Yunes, deputy chief physician at Vitebsk Regional Children’s Clinical Centre, was named Person of the Year for ‘introducing progressive technologies in children’s therapy and diagnostics’. Compared to 2008, the number of successful cardiac transplant patients has increased several times — totaling more than 100 in 2015. Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan underwent liver transplant surgery in 2012 in Minsk. A cancer patient, Dagan lived another four years afterwards. The media reported that a French surgeon operating on Dagan using Belarusian equipment had highly praised its quality and the professionalism of Belarusian doctors. The entire history of Belarusian medicine fits into just two museum halls. Perhaps, another will open to display exhibits yet to be invented, in 3D format. Maybe, a room will be occupied by a single exhibit: an image of a human hand as a unique tool. Who knows, maybe in one or two hundred years, doctors will treat patients without needing to touch them… By Alisa Krasovskaya
At the Belarusian Medical History Museum
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PRESTIGE OF PROFESSION
Ivan Zhdanovich
In the third Sunday of June, Belarusian medical workers traditionally celebrate their professional holiday. This day honours the fact that doctors represent a profession with the special status of dealing with human lives. To find out more about this esteemed and challenging profession, I spoke with Vladimir Korik, head of the Military Field Medicine Chair at Belarusian State Medical University, M. D., professor, colonel of medical service working at the 2nd Clinical Hospital, one of Minsk’s earliest established hospitals — and one of its finest.
“Dynasty continues…”
Vladimir Korik:
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PRESTIGE OF PROFESSION
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Yuriy Mozolevskiy
I
have known Dr. Korik for about twelve years or so. I’ve been at the 2nd Clinical Hospital’s emergency surgery department many times, both with my own health problems and visiting my friends. I’ve watched him at work during doctor’s rounds, dealing with other doctors from the department, students, and mid-level medical staff. From the first day I met him, I thought that this person was in the right place. Why? Because it becomes quickly apparent that Vladimir Korik has an excellent disposition for his profession. When talking to him, you feel protected. He speaks with his patients in a language they can understand. It wouldn’t be a mistake to say that intelligence is his innate feature. Of course, it is not just his education, but also his upbringing that has shaped him from childhood, his parents being important role models. His intelligence is subtly manifested in his voice, intonation, facial expressions and speech. I once read in a book that intelligence is not about ‘what’, but ‘how’, and is linked to a person’s inner dignity. All this pertains to Vladimir Korik, who is always tactful, delicate and respectful of people he talks to. He is a true professional. Our interview with Vladimir Korik is about the day-to-day challenges of modern surgeons’ work, his professional history, and other representatives of this humane and noble occupation that have influenced him. Vladimir Yevgenievich, why did you choose medicine? Maybe it was Doctor Aybolit by Korney Chukovsky that had inspired you or did you just follow your parents’ path? — Indeed, I come from a family of doctors. My mother Galina Ivanovna is a multi-specialist. She used to work as a gynecologist, obstetrician, acupunctu rist and reflexologist. My father, Yevgeny Fedorovich, was a cardiologist. He first graduated from Kyiv Military Medicine Technical School training military paramedics. This training school no longer exists. After that, he served as an officer on the Kuril Islands for five years. He met my mother when studying at Minsk
Doctor’s round is an important moment in the life of the emergency surgery department
According to the Belarusian Health Ministry, 125,000 medical workers with secondarylevel medical education and 50,000 medical workers with higher medical education were working in Belarus as of 2012 Medical University. They got married as students and then went to the town of Smolevichi to work at a local hospital. I spent my entire childhood there in the hospital, so I never asked myself which profession I should choose. Later on, my father became a chief medical officer. After we moved to Minsk, he worked in the 4th Directorate of the Health Ministry, occupying highranking posts. We had a large medical library at home — I studied the books attentively from childhood. Once, at the age of six, I came to my mother’s office, and entered a patient examination room where there was a woman with a gynecological problem. I didn’t lose courage and even diagnosed her. You know, my diagnosis turned out correct. When my son was born, topographic anatomy was one of his favourite books.
So, you see, Aybolit is ‘innocent’, although I did read books by Chukovsky as a child. Did your son follow your path? — Yes, Yevgeny is a four-year student at the General Medicine Department of the Medical University. Do you think that this is his vocation or did you just persuade him into medicine? — That’s what my wife thought when he decided to enter the university. When at school, Zhenya wanted to become a diplomatic official and was preparing to enter the Belarusian State University. After travelling to a scout camp he changed his mind, however. No one in our family insisted he should choose medicine, it was his own choice. I took him to show him a surgery once, we were operating on a hard [difficult] patient. I warned everyone in the pre-operating room that
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It’s a very good department, and we work intensely. Working in this department is interesting and challenging. We work 24 hours, going like a hamster on a wheel “Professor Sergey Zhidkov is an outstanding surgeon.” Preparation for the operation
they should take Zhenya out of the ope rating room if he felt unwell. Yet, he was watching the operation from beginning to end, asking me everything. I understood then that he was interested. Another surprise was when he was having his internship at our hospital and requested a job in the intensive care department. I didn’t tell anyone that he was my son, as I was curious to see how he’d build relationships with midlevel medical staff. To me, these are core people. Doctors perform just a tiny part of hospital work while mid-level personnel carry out the main workload — they take care of patients, control the observance of doctors’ prescriptions and have many more important responsibilities. Sadly, some doctors are not good at dealing with mid-level medical staff. The best are those who used to work as hospital attendants or male nurses themselves. My son quickly found a common language with everybody. I didn’t know that Zhenya was so tender-hearted, I revealed [realized] that seeing him taking care of and feeding helpless patients. Where does your family come from? — My father is from Berezino. My grandfather was a secretary of the Berezino District Party Committee, he would organize partisan movement in Belarus during the war. He was killed at the age
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of 36. My grand-grandfather (from my mother’s side) was a clergyman and built a church in Glusk of Bobruisk District. People still remember and honour him. Did you study in Minsk? — I first studied at medical technical school #2 in Minsk, finishing with distinctions. Afterwards, I worked at the porcelain plant’s medical office as a paramedical officer for six months. After that I was called for service in the Soviet Union Armed Forces. After a year of service, I informed my seniors that I wanted to enter the S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg. At the time, it was one of the leading medical universities trai ning military doctors. In Soviet times, diplomas from that institution would be recognized abroad. I graduated from the Academy with distinctions and with a gold medal — I am so proud of that. The Academy headquarters have a museum with marble slabs where gold medal holders are listed in gold every year. My name is also recorded there. Did you have an opportunity to work abroad? — I had many opportunities, but returned to Belarus, closer to my parents, as they were aging and needed my help. The academy graduates could choose any medical job, as we were broadly
trained. Specialization was linked to military branches. For instance, the 3rd department was aviation, the 4th was maritime, and I graduated from the 2nd — land and missile corps. Arriving to any military unit, a graduate can work as a general practitioner, a dentist, a surgeon. If a military unit lacks a dentist, you would take this position. That is how broad my specialization was. What specialization did you take in Minsk? — I wanted to be a cardiologist as therapy was my passion. I was very proud of having not read a single textbook on therapy — I only read monographs on every disease. I was offered a job at a separate medical battalion where I served for three years, and went to St. Petersburg again. I studied another three years at the Academy, at the Senior Staff Department. As they say, I studied as high as it gets. I graduated with a gold medal again. I defended my Ph. D. thesis within those three years. And my name was put on the marble slab again. So, I have two medals — one Soviet and the other one Russian. When I returned to Minsk, I was invited to work as a senior resident physician at the main clinical military hospital’s abdominal surgery department. After six months, Sergey Zhidkov, head of the mi
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litary field surgery chair and its founder, who was also the Defence Ministry chief surgeon and professor, invited me to teach at his department. Owing to Sergey Anatolievich and the city’s medical seniors, along with the military hospital, two more facilities were assigned for training attendees and students — the 4th and the 2nd hospitals. The main base is the 2nd hospital as it has emergency surgery department. There are only two such departments, in the 2nd hospital and emergency care hospital. They work 24/7. The profession of a surgeon only suits sturdy and mentally stable people. In what situation did you understand that? — Understanding comes with practice. Of course, a surgeon should be sturdy. Yet, in my opinion, this profession is mental stability-sensitive rather than requiring physical aptness. Many operations imply [require] that minimally invasive surgery is performed. They require very scrupulous, accurate and patient work. Sometimes, operations like this can take a long time — up to eight, ten or even more hours — with the surgeon staying at the operating room all the time. In Western countries, teams can change. Here, this practice did not settle. Perhaps, this is related to our mentality: we first complete the work and then can rest. To be honest, I haven’t seen weak-spirited surgeons. Not everyone is able to enter an operating room and ‘wound’ a patient for the sake of curing him. What would you say about our me dical school? — It is very good, one of the strongest in the world. I do not understand people who go for treatment to the West. We should receive treatment in our home country. Have you ever formulated any personal precepts to sustain focus during operations? — I’ve never taken any training, nor formulated any precepts. I’ve never been an ardent believer, although I respect orthodoxy. Before any operation, I concentrate. This is not a canonical prayer to the gods. I just have my personal com-
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Yuriy Mozolevskiy
PRESTIGE OF PROFESSION
During the operation
mencement address that I utter silently. My colleagues know that I never start a surgery until I have focused my mind, standing over a patient. How did you discover that a surgeon should be a good psychologist? How do you withstand relatives’ emotions if, say, an operation has complications? — If a surgeon does not know how to communicate with a patient, he shouldn’t operate. There should be total trust and understanding between physicians and patients. Relatives’ emotions are the hardest part of our work. It’s always difficult to say that someone’s son, daughter, brother
or parent has died. Any words of support or sympathy sound senseless in such moments. Doctors experience stress no less than relatives do. For the next couple of days, you keep on thinking again and again, if you’ve done everything you could to prevent the patient’s death. Self-chasti sing is natural for all normal doctors. How long did it take you to learn to distance yourself from your feelings, and when did your hair start turning grey? — It’s impossible to distance from your feelings. Yet, the burnout syndrome, as resuscitationists and anesthesiologists call it, does exist. Feelings become less sharp over time, but you still take things
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protects them from various troubles. As you become more experienced, you grow more cautious, too. And then it seems that you know less and less, although as a matter of fact, your expertise is expanding. I think you feel so because your responsibility for your actions is growing as time passes. And you always feel bad when a patient dies, regardless of the cause. Tell us, please, about your department. — I’ve been working here from 2002. This is a very good department, and we work intensely because of high patient turnover. Sometimes, you visit all your 60 patients and dismiss 25 of them, but by the evening newcomers occupy all the beds. Working in this department is interesting and challenging. We work 24 hours, going like a hamster on a wheel. Not everyone is able to withstand this frantic pace, especially mid-level personnel. Do you take night shifts? — Several years ago, I did, but now I gave up. I’m not afraid of this work as I used to have to do night shifts several times a week. The reason I don’t do it Vladimir Korik is satisfied with the way the operation ended
anymore is not that I’ve become a professor. The thing is that other people should gain experience and earn money. What do you think of exporting surgical services? — Why not? In the world of today, clinics should earn. So it’s necessary to promote this important area. Who are authoritative surgeons for you? — I graduated from the university where all the professors, from all departments, both theoretical and practical, were unique pedagogues and personalities, people of encyclopaedic knowledge. I was lucky to learn from them. The system of teaching, polished for years, was so interesting that I was eagerly absorbing knowledge. My first teacher of surgery, professor Mikhail Khanevich, is still living. He is one of our countrymen, by the way, coming from Belarus. Leonid Strukov (Pavel Napalkov’s student) is another esteemed teacher. When he was operating, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Once I told him that I wanted him to be so little that he’d fit in my medical outfit’s breast pocket and that I’d take him out for consultation ever y “Norair Melkonyan is a very thoughtful and meticulous doctor with his special viewpoints”
Yuriy Mozolevskiy
up close and personal. My hair started turning grey when I was thirty-something. Well, this is always the case in our profession. How important are personal qualities of a doctor? — Very often, personal qualities have no impact on what your hands are able to do. This is not uncommon for surgeons. Someone can be a brilliant surgeon, but a very peculiar person, to put it mildly: peevish, unsociable, crusty. Characters differ… Your work requires prompt response and decision-making that can be crucial for a patient’s life. Do you often rely on your intuition and belief that an operation will end well? — In case of a scheduled operation, everything must be pre-planned, and the estimated result is 100 percent positive. Unexpected things happen though. They are usually unrelated to equipment or surgeons, but most often linked to a patients’ condition, the duration of di sease, age, and, sometimes, specific anatomic features. Like having a heart on the right side? — This happens, too. Other organs can also be located atypically. Double anatomic structures occur. It’s quite a challenge to handle something that you’d never seen in an anatomic atlas. In situations like this, it’s absolutely normal to ask your experienced colleagues for advice. Emergency surgery, especially abdominal, has many nuances. A human abdomen is like a Pandora box: you open it and get startled. Modern computer diagnostic techniques do not always properly reflect reality, and then you have to make a decision in an instant. Admittedly, surgeons do not have the right for being incompetent as they often deal with patients balancing between life and death. Have you ever felt guilty for death of patients? — When you’re young, you’re not afraid of anything. It seems that your head is full of knowledge, but you have no skills. And no fears! Interestingly, life probably loves young doctors and
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PRESTIGE OF PROFESSION time I needed. Strukov would answer any question. I could name many more teachers from St. Petersburg. I also respect many Belarusian professionals, one of them is professor Zhidkov, founder of the military field surgery and an outstanding surgeon. We had a unique emergency surgeon, Dmitry Dudarev. The present head of the department, Sergey Alexandrov, is also a brilliant surgeon specializing in endoscopic surgery. He does absolutely fantastic things with laparoscopic equipment, he is a very valuable professional for our department. Norair Melkonyan is a very thoughtful and meticulous doctor with his special viewpoints who doesn’t think with stereotypes. Whenever we have an interesting patient, it’s better to assign it to Norair. He will gradually ‘unwind’ the case and identify the cause of the disease. Have you ever seen a miraculous recovery? — What do we consider a miraculous recovery? For me, it is a cancer patient who continues to live long and happily despite his illness. Unfortunately, I haven’t met such patients. Maybe, I will later. “Sergey Alexandrov, head of the department, does absolutely fantastic things with laparoscopic equipment”
Yet, I’ve read religious books describing cases of miraculous healing. A surgeon’s work is related to risks. Have you ever operated on patients with gunfire injuries? Have you operated outside a hospital? — I haven’t operated in the field. Meanwhile, I have dealt with gunfire and stab wounds. When helping such patients, you should take into account specific things that differ from the principle of handling wounds in general surgery. Military field surgery has been classified as a separate sphere, and rightly so, because wounds inflicted with firearms radically differ from injuries that occur in peaceful life. Unfortunately, there are few professionals who know how to handle such cases. What is the difference between a good and mediocre surgeon? — Being keen on the occupation. If you have no interest, you’ll never make a good doctor, be it cardiology or surgery. The ancient would say that a good doctor was like a god. A good doctor does not remain on the same le vel, but is evolv“Sergey Zhidkov is an outstanding surgeon”
ing all the time: he reads, attends showcases, learns about new achievements in medicine and adopts best practices from leading professionals. He never ceases to improve. Young and ambitious doctors who eagerly master new technologies would easily surpass an experienced professional who stopped learning. Why do surgeons quit their jobs? — I’ve met such people, among them were my fellow university mates. Some realize that they’d made a wrong choice as they are not ready to sympathise and help patients. Some quit because they are unsatisfied with their earnings. What do you as a surgeon want from your patients? — A better understanding of us doctors. Some patients think they are so well-prepared that they are not able to properly perceive a doctor’s advice. Sometimes, a position like this might cause a conflict when a patient teaches a doctor what to do and how to do. This is a side-effect of patients’ knowledge, obtained from the internet and other sources. Previously, I would argue with such people, explaining my position. Now I just avoid conflicts, leaving people alone so that they can understand who is the doctor and who is the patient. And you know, it works! They usually find me to appologise a day after. What qualities should one develop to make a good surgeon? What would you wish to students of Minsk, Vitebsk, Grodno and Gomel Medical Universities who choose to become surgeons? — I don’t know what qualities to suggest one should develop. One should have a vocation, or, maybe, follow the destiny. I never thought I’d become a surgeon and never considered any surgical profession as close and appealing to me. It’s just circumstances, destiny. Or, maybe, genetics. As a student, I would imagine that my head was a squeezed sponge. When it was released, it was soaked with water. May medical students and attendees absorb as much useful information as possible. It’ll prove useful! By Valentina Zhdanovich
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LANGUAGE PRACTICE
Textbook for friends
A
The first textbook on Belarusian language study released in Japan
n unusual textbook has recently been published in Japan: Try! Educational-Elementary Course of Belarusian Language for Japanese. Written by Siora Kiosava — a young Japanese researcher of Belarusian language, and Tatiana Ramza — an associate professor at the Belarusian State University, the edition has been edited by Professor Toshinobu Usuyama, of Tsukuba University. Japanese Ms. Kiosava speaks Belarusian better than most ‘natives’, and knows the languages of our neighbours: Russian, Polish and Ukrainian. She has established a club in Japan to teach Belarusian and plans to compile a Japanese-Belarusian phrasebook. The Belarusian-Japanese textbook is unique in being the first practical aid for Japanese speakers. Moreover, Ms. Kiosava
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hopes it will help Japan to find new Belarusian friends. “I hope this first attempt to study Belarusian by each interested Japanese reader will transform into deep interest for Belarusian history and culture,” she says. Having studied Belarusian for over three years, she comments, “I studied with a teacher for a year and then continued on my own.” Why do you study Belarusian? This is a good question. At present, few Slavicists in Japan know Belarusian. With this in mind, I consider that my country needs at least one specialist in your country’s language. I came across the Belarusian language accidentally. While reading a book, I discovered that almost no city residents speak Belarusian. My scientific supervisor advised me to describe this situation in my Master’s degree paper. Moreover, Tsukuba University signed an agreement with the Belarusian State University and I came
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LANGUAGE PRACTICE
Belarusian language is taught at Poland’s Warsaw, Lublin and Bialystok universities, at Germany’s Oldenburg and Leipzig, at Hungary’s Budapest University, at Slovakia’s University of Presov, at Serbia’s Belgorod University, at Prague’s Charles University, at Russia’s Bryansk University and at the USA’s Harvard University. Some students come to Belarus for internships, to improve their language practice to Minsk for an internship. I began studying Belarusian more thoroughly — alongside the language situation in your country. What do Japanese people know of Belarus? Sadly, some Japanese know nothing of this country. However, after the Fukushima disaster, in 2011, some became interested in our history of similar catastrophes. Much was spoken of the Chernobyl tragedy, and how it affected Belarus. I’d like Belarus to be associated not only with this recent problem but to be known for its rich culture, which can hardly be studied without knowledge of the language. Ms. Kiosava says that it’s a challenge for Japanese to learn not only Belarusian but any Indo-European language, “The Japanese language strongly differs from Indo-European languages. Initially, all Slavonic languages look identical to us and their differences appear only over time. I can now see the difference between Russian and Belarusian, and I respect their common features. Where do you have the opportunity to speak Belarusian in Minsk? Belarusian language assistants work at a bookstore, so I discuss books with them with pleasure. Do you plan to translate any editions? There’s a great need for this. In the past, all Belarusian writers were translated into Japanese through Russian. An author called Go Kashina, in my country, has translated Belarusian language
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Siora Kiosava is a young Japanese researcher of Belarusian language
Rygor Borodulin, Vladimir Korotkevich and Andrey Fedorenko into Japanese. She also studies your literature. Who is your favourite writer? Vasil Bykov. At first sight, Belarusian people and Japanese citizens differ greatly. Are there any common features between our nations?
Belarusians resemble Japanese in being similarly modest. Yosuke Kashiwagi is another Japanese citizen interested in Belarus. He lives in Tokyo and has only visited Belarus once, in passing. However, this was enough for him to fall in love with our country. “I was born in Tokyo, grew up there and live there today. I studied at Waseda University and am now investigating Soviet history. As part of my work, I’ve become acquainted with Belarus’ past, which has captured my imagination,” he explains. “The Belarusian language is charming and beautiful, melodic and soft.” Japanese citizens respect Belarusians’ desire to preserve their language. As Mr. Kashiwagi says, every Japanese person abroad does their best to ensure that their children know their native language. “Probably, this is why we’ve endured as a nation. I want Belarusians to respect their history and heritage. We — Japanese — will help you spread knowledge of Belarus all over the globe,” he adds. By Viktar Korbut
By the way Belarusian Iosif Goshkevich — who was born in Rechitsa District — became a Japanese language expert in the 19th century. As a translator, he accompanied a Russian diplomatic mission to Japan and, with his help, the Russian-Japanese Treaty of 1855 was signed. Jointly with Japanese monk Tachibana Kosai, he compiled 450 pages of the first Japanese-Russian dictionary. From 1858-1865, Iosif worked as the first Russian consul to Japan, being among those foreigners allowed to the shogun (owner) court in Japan’s Eda (now known as Tokyo). In 1899, Iosif’s Roots of Japanese Language was published in Vilno. A monument to him was erected in Hakodate.
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TO THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL BOOK PRINTING
Artur Prupas
Skorina presented in all his diversity Five most interesting exhibits at unusual exhibition
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featuring Skorina’s emblems. Handmade articles are kept behind glass, including those made by Polotsk gymnasiums pupils: cups, packages, tea bags and pens. Other exhibits include plastic banking cards featuring Skorina, a gymnasium uniform and colouring books, so beloved by children. Divided thematically, the ‘Scientist’ section features a necktie, a portfolio, booklets, and materials for conferences and pens — a compete uniform! All belong to the exhibition curator, Alexander Susha. Other stands include ‘Schoolchild’, ‘Collector’, and ‘Banking Business’. Skorina is everywhere!
Student Artur Prupas
nyone wishing to ‘appear’ as Frantsisk Skorina can do so at the Nat iona l Librar y’s Frantsisk Skorina and Our Times exhibition, by placing their head through a hole cut into the image of the 16th century enlightener. No folios or monumental works are on show but everyone coming to the library will be surprised to see how deeply Skorina’s image has penetrated our daily life. This year is the 500th anniversary of his book publishing. Exhibits have been collected from museums, schools and people’s flats, while the U Frantsiska café has themed beer cups, plates and menu covers,
Meeting us at the entrance is a mannequin dressed in a red shirt, stating that Frantsisk Sko-
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TO THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL BOOK PRINTING rina is a golden youth. Polotsk’s great man smiles conspiratorially, holding a beer tankard. Youth sub-culture has its own view of the first publi sher. There’s a backpack covered with badges, each demonstrating ideas and views. Why not depict a national hero on them? Alongside is another mannequin wearing a shirt depicting Skorina as a funny doctor. Why not? We sometimes forget that Skorina was an ordinary man, falling in love, spying, studying alchemy and practicing as a doctor. Since epidemics were common in his time, he would have worn an iron beaked mask in which would have been placed disinfectants.
Frantsisk Skorina Order Each exhibit is on loan from its owner. Galina Kireeva, a departmental head at the National Librar y, has loaned a Frantsisk Skorina Medal and order. Famous Belarusian writer Vladimir Lipsky has also provided his personal Frantsisk Skorina Order for the show. He notes, “Skorina is our genius. It’s a great honour to be awarded with a medal named after him. I’d like to publish his texts as separate brochures — to be distributed among Belarusians.”
Skorina’s first stamp The first postal stamp, featuring Frantsisk Skorina, is truly rare, ha ving been printed in 1921. Philatelists debate whether it should be called the first Belarusian stamp, but some believe it could have been released in 1918. Collector Lev Kolosov writes: ‘Skorina’s depiction from the Bible engraving is in the centre, showing exemplary delicacy of face, figure, costume and other details. ‘Belarus: Pochta’ is written in Cyrillic above and, at the bottom, ‘Frantsisk Sko-
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rina from Polotsk: 1517-1917’ is written in small letters.’ The section features other stamps depicting Skorina — published in the Belarusian People’s Republic, the BSSR and sovereign Belarus.
Ex-libris Belarusian books are synonymous with the name of Frantsisk Skorina, whose face is often used for ex-libris and stamps for private libraries. According to collector Oleg Sudlenkov, ‘a correct ex-libris is a piece of art’. Among the showcased exhibits is Skorina’s symbol on the home library of Mikhas Mitskevich — a son of Yakub Kolas. “This is not simply an ex-libris of a famous artist, Victor Shmatov, made by himself,” comments the collector on another artefact. “We can see the technology: the initial pencil drawing on paper, cut from wooden board and then used to print.” Skorina’s face on the stamp appears thoughtful, as if ready to commit his musings to paper, for us to learn from.
Magnets and lottery tickets Celebrations for Frantsisk Skorina’s 500th anniversar y received much attention in Soviet times, when the BSSR Culture Ministry launched
a jubilee issue of the cash and prize lottery, played on September 7th, 1990 (during the days of the political system breaking down). The exhibition features a ticket from that issue, though it’s unknown whether it was lucky or not. Most probably, it brought success to its holder: otherwise, it would have been unlikely to be chosen. It’s an artefact bound to stir nostalgia. There are even refrigerator magnets on show bearing Skorina’s face. How wonderful to think of these sitting alongside others from around the world in so many kitchens! By Lyudmila Rublevskaya
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HOME JOURNEY
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Sergey ply tkevich
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Places where people can
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reasons to visit Grodno
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Walking through the old town
Many corners of the city resemble Vilnius and even Prague. In Grodno, visitors discover unexpected historical, architectural and culinary treasures at every turn. Original 17th and 18th century houses have been preserved in the city, as well as the wonderful Pokrovskaya Church, the recently restored Lutheran church and the richly decorated old synagogue. One of the oldest clocks in Europe is to be found in Grodno’s Farny Roman Catholic Church. It has told the time for five centuries thus far. The Catholic Church, in turn, was part of the Jesuit Monastery. The majestic Vilno Baroque-style Roman Catholic church is among the most revered by Belarusian Catholics.
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Ducal atmosphere
Grodno was the only city in Belarus to bear the status of a Grand Duchy as Lithuania’s capital and a summer residence of the Rzecz Pospolita kings. Its Old and New castles are the stone witnesses of that epoch. They stand opposite each other on a high river bank, surrounded by old Catholic and Orthodox churches. The strong walls have been preserved near the Old Castle, in addition to a deep ditch with a bridge. The beautiful embankment of the river Neiman is nearby. In the past, the New Castle was a symbol of decadent living and royal balls and concerts. It also hosted sessions of the Polish Sejm; one of which resulted in the decision to split Rzecz Pozpolita. At present, the castle hosts an exhibition by Grodno’s Archaeological Museum.
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HOME JOURNEY
Belta
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have an interesting rest Visit the younger sister of Pokrov-na-Nerli
The famous St. Boris and Hleb (Kolozha) Church was built in the late 12th century. As the oldest stone building in Belarus it has miraculously survived through many centuries. Many years ago, the Nieman flowed close to the church but later changed its course and began to undermine the bank. By the mid-19th century, the church appeared to rest on the edge of a high slope. After one particular flood disaster however, part of the wall fell into the river, affecting the appearance of the church: one of its walls is stone and the second (on the side of the river) is wooden. Kolozha has only survived thanks to the mastery of Belarusian engineers who invented a method to strengthen the
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bank. At present, the old church stands on a strong iron and concrete monolith block, on the edge of the slope.
Belarusian cuisine Grodno residents are experts in the art of producing good food. It’s a special treat in winter to take a tour to visit the bars and restaurants, drink hot wine punch and eat kumpyachok or polendvitsa (cooked pork) and also learn about the origins of the dishes. Grodno is also known for its wonderful beer brewed here for centuries. Many tours finish at the Karobchitsy Pansky Maentak (Gentry Homestead) agro-tourist complex. It offers pleasant recreation in summer or winter, either with children or without. Folk craft workshops, blacksmiths and woodcutters are to be found there.
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Cruising along the Avgustovsky Canal
This miracle of 19th century technics is to be found close to Grodno. The locks of the Avgustovsky Canal are real masterpieces of the engineering art build extremely durably and reliably. The Avgustovsky Canal was recently restored. Now barges don’t move on the channel, at the same time it is a very popular recreational spot for both residents and guests of the city. The canal starts in Polish territory and finishes its journey in Belarus — running into the river Nieman. The total length is 101.2 km, in the boundaries of Belarus — 22 km. The depth is 1.8 meters. This watery artery is also popular amongst canoeists. Meanwhile, those unwilling to row, can enjoy the surroundings and the locks work while travelling by pleasure boat.
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SUITED TO EVERY TASTE
MENU
Alexander Kulevsky
Expedition creates a whole ambiance, welcoming guests with the infinity symbol at its front door, indicating that ‘there are enough roads for all’
for romantics Despite the abundance of national offerings, Russian cuisine in Minsk enjoys much popularity R ussian cabbage soup and porridge Our countries — as old neighbours — have managed to intertwine their culture, mentalities and life for centuries. Belarusians can hardly guess the origins of local dishes, knowing where our cuisine comes to end and where
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that of Russia begins. The fashion for ‘haute cuisine’ — such as sturgeons and caviar — was brought to Belarus by Empress Yekaterina ІІ. She generously distributed newly conquered territories to Russian noblemen, such as to the families of Potemkin, Rumyantsev-Zadunaysky and Pushchin. They then brought their chefs, with
their Moscow and Petersburg flavours and tastes. The simple dishes of villagers were identical everywhere, with filling the belly being the main concern.
Heading to the tundra Northern Expedition among most popular Russian restaurants in Minsk.
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SUITED TO EVERY TASTE Tables in Expedition restaurant are always fully booked; in fact, it’s the only ‘northern cuisine’ establishment in Belarus. The restaurant aims to create an atmosphere of romantic adventure, as if clientele were polar explorers, geologists or hunters. It appeals not only to ‘macho’ men but to families and to groups of friends. Expedition creates a whole ambiance, welcoming guests with the infinity symbol at its front door, indicating that ‘there are enough roads for all’. The ground floor features a map of Russia’s northern regions, while skis covered with bearskins sit in the corner, alongside sledges and a toy rabbit — nicknamed Fedor. It sits ‘recuperating’ from children’s hugs.
a certain species of wild fowl, then the cook would open-fire cook it directly in the hall — ‘seasoning’ with interesting stories. Expedition’s sauces are made from blackberry and cloudberries and its tincture is based on wild-growing herbs from the Siberian taiga. I haven’t dared to order a fried fern-orlyak but decided to taste ‘black ravioli’. Stroganina is Expedition’s trump. The cook dexterously cuts frozen northern river fish or wild fowl mean with thin slices. No time to talking remains: guests should eat the dish quickly — dipping slices in sauce to avoid stroganina thawing. I could hardly refuse tasting a jam from pine cones: truly, it seems impossi-
Cold pole on table
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By Rogneda Yurgel
Producer Irina Kazakova:
Alexander Kulevsky
While I am being taken to my little table, I notice a girl in a camouflage jacket and a gun on her shoulder. This is the waitress: the ‘hunting season’ appears each time when guests order ‘Shulyum — a special hunting soup from meat of animals killed this day. Local menu would please true gourmets: usual pancakes with caviar can be found everywhere while northern venison dishes are not so widely spread. Moreover, almost each dish serving is accompanied by a theatrical show in Expedition; it impresses not less than the taste of northern dishes, exotic for our latitudes. For example, an order can be delivered on a huge ice block or in a deliberately simple aluminium bowl which is, apparently, travelling with a geologist around his taiga expeditions for several years. If someone chooses
ble to eat this anywhere else. I closed eyes while drinking a cup of tea from forest herbs, imagining myself sitting in a taiga forest hut, with snow falling and wolves howling outside… On opening eyes, civilisation returns. Huge screen on the restaurant’s walls feature videos about travellers’ life during their expeditions. The theme of travelling reigns here: the restaurant was founded as a result of a travel. One of its owners (Expedition also runs restaurants in Moscow and Novosibirsk) crossed Russia on his SUV in less than 20 days. The winter Expedition-Trophy motor rally adventure impressed him so much, that the man’s recollections of Far North transformed into the concept of a restaurant.
I prepare tours for many Russian artistes in Belarus. Their riders seldom mention anything exotic or specific: Russian artistes prefer an average dietary cuisine. Famous people — who travel much — demonstrate modest food preferences. If they start experimenting with tastes and food, their organisms would fail. Of course, on coming to Belarus for the first time, guests surely want to try something authentic, local. We’ve never had to search for sturgeons or Kamchatka crabs in Minsk; these delicacies are eaten in Astrakhan and Kamchatka. Actor Alexey Maklakov, for example, has his favourite restaurant in Minsk: on coming here, he always goes to Vasilki (Cornflowers).
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CREATIVITY FROM THE HEART
‘August Evening’
Shades of music and poetry
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CREATIVITY FROM THE HEART
‘Flowers of April’
‘At the Beginning of Spring’
Versatile interests help Leonid Danelia expand his creative outlook and enjoy 70th birthday exhibition
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rtist Leonid Danelia discovered his creativity during his student years, learning drawing from his father, famous Belarusian artist Piotr Danelia, who headed the fine arts studio in Brest for more than 20 years. In 1963, Leonid entered Minsk’s Art College, during the time of ‘the thaw’. Young artist-teachers Leonid Shchemelev and Algerd Malishevsky showed students works by foreign and Russian avant-garde artists, despite some viewing such innovations with hostility. Youthful rebelliousness promised Leonid Danelia expulsion from college but, within two years, he gained a place at the Theatreart Institute, where teachers were more tolerant of ‘experimental’ attitudes. It
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was a time of optimism and the spirit of creativity reigned in the student environment. “Three important components — Poetry, Music and Painting — claimed our souls,” Leonid Danelia recollects. After graduating from the Institute, Leonid gained experience in decorative and applied arts in Minsk, working under masters of architecture. This helped him later, in his independent work. Design experts were in demand, which led to Leonid gaining employment for several years at ‘Beltorgreklama’. Then he worked at a Minsk industrial art enterprise, helping create various socially significant sites. However, Leonid never forgot his love of painting and his design job freed him to devote his leisure time to this pursuit. In 1976, Leonid presented at his first show: a canvas entitled ‘Morning in the Old City’. The landscape differed in
Leonid Danelia is a versatile artist, brought up in the traditions of realistic art, yet finding his own path. He understood that, through the academic, he could find philosophical self-expression. His outlook in the field of graphics, architecture and painting was revealed gradually. Knowing the language of these arts helps him still, to combine love, kindness and responsiveness in his art.
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CREATIVITY FROM THE HEART
In class
Painting displays the soul in an emotional splash. Behind each experiment is your intelligence, your professional experience and your store of knowledge Museum of Olympic Glory. Design by L. Danelia
having an original composition, created in decorative manner. He aimed to move audiences by creating a certain mood, via composition and use of colour. Soon, his ‘Ruins at Pointblank’, devoted to poet Maxim Bogdanovich, attracted the attention of critics, alongside others works by Leonid.
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Maxim Bogdanovich’s poetry had a strong influence on Leonid, who sought to convey this love. In 1993, his ‘Veronica’ clearly featured a withered tree in the foreground, symbolising the poet’s unfulfilled dreams. On the thorny path of the artist, Leonid notes, “Painting displays the soul in an emotional splash.
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CREATIVITY FROM THE HEART
‘Recollections of Childhood’
Behind each experiment is your intelligence, your professional experience and your store of knowledge. Fellini, the well-known Italian director, became saddened by his ‘store of knowledge’, wi shing to experience the world anew, with children’s eyes. Sometimes, in order to express our state of mind, we must seek out original, graphic language, changing our manner of presentation.” For some time, Leonid has been working in an abstract-impressionist style, although it truly defies categorisation. He uses strong colours and returns repeatedly to the theme of women’s beauty, accented with romanticism and a clear note of experimentation. Having mastered formal methods, he is keen to discover something new. Leonid takes part in various foreign exhibitions, and his works can be found in private collections worldwide: in France, Germany, the USA, Russia, Poland, Holland and the UK. Austrian ‘Arviviente’ publishing house has included his works in its album ‘Belarusian Visual Artists’ and helped Leonid, alongside
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‘Naroch Landscapes’
other Belarusian artists participate at Christie’s auction, in London. Today, Leonid teaches at the Belarusian State Pedagogical University Named after Maxim Tank, sharing his knowledge of design, painting and drawing with his students. His interests are wide and versatile. Raised with the traditions of national realistic art, he sought an alternative, through graphics, applied and decorative art, architecture and painting, combining expressive colour and lines to decorative effect. Romantic artist Leonid Danelia has always embraced diversity. In his recent works, he has aspired to abstract impressionism, despite depicting concrete images. Abstraction, grounded in feasibility, allows him to express emotions through paint; music and poetry are evident within his canvases “Creative people have a certain philosophy and outlook,” notes Leonid. He stresses an endless search, which won’t allow the soul to rest, despite its knowledge of the world’s incomparable beauty and internal harmony.
Creative people have a certain philosophy and outlook. It’s also an endless search, which won’t allow the soul to rest
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CREATIVITY FROM THE HEART
Leonid Danelia with the students of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University Named after Maxim Tank
‘Birds Come Back’
Does the process of creativity ever end? Creativity is a continuous process. Very often, dreams provide ideas, for me at least. They often prompt colour and composition. Recently, you became interested in the eternal artistic theme of womanhood Life is many-sided, but eternal truths are always with us. The muse in the life
of the artist is an angel of balance and an inspiration. Your last pictures, ‘Full Moon’, ‘Flowers of Autumn’, ‘Wind of Freedom’, ‘Time to Fulfil Desires’, ‘Dreams and Loneliness’, and ‘Well into the Night’ are painted in an original manner and filled with vital energy. They are festive, and seductive in their beauty and simultaneously powerful with an internal female force … We can never generalise about individual perceptions, since we each have our own. It’s wonderful. A creator only gives us their individual vision and sensations.
*** The artist responds with his heart and his artistry to Belarus’ pain. Leonid Daneliya’s previous personal exhibition in Germany ended with an auction, selling twenty of his pictures, to raise funds for Belarusian children who have suffered as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. He continues working, revealing his personality through art, and passing his rich experience to his students: his great mission. By Veniamin Mikheev
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Fragment of Leonid Danelia’s picture ‘Amazing Day’