Miory Regional Executive Committee
For the XXXII Day of Belarusian Writing held in Lyda, the Vitebsk Region presented its pavilions. Guests of the celebration were impressed by traditional crafts from three districts of the northern region, an exhibition of the regional newspaper "Pages of Victory", and a creative meeting with writers from the Dvina region.
During the opening hours, a master class on creating engravings captured the attention of Lyda residents and guests.
The interactive exhibit allows visitors to familiarize themselves with the history of Polotsk, the oldest city in Belarus.
Alesya Avrusenia, Senior Researcher at the Polotsk Art Gallery, invites all interested visitors to create a print (using pre-prepared engraving plates) featuring the main symbols of Polotsk. The printing press brought to the exhibition by Polotsk specialists was constructed based on a 17th-century prototype.
Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Petkevich participated in the master class on creating engravings. As a souvenir of the Vitebsk Region, she was offered to create a print depicting St. Sophia's Cathedral.
In addition, a branch of the Polotsk National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve presented facsimile editions of the "Apostle", "Psalter", and "Small Travel Book" to all book lovers.
Many visitors to the artisans' exhibition wish to take home woven bead necklaces as souvenirs.
"We appreciate the children's interest in our master class. My artisans are already concerned they may need to purchase additional thread, despite the pavilion having just opened," notes Inna Karpeka, Director of the Dokshitsy House of Crafts.
In addition to the jewelry-making master class, all interested visitors can try their hand at patchwork sewing.
Folk craftsmen traveled directly from Dokshitsy to Lyda, bringing works of artistic carving, decorative baskets, small wicker containers, and wicker bags. Visitors to the exhibition particularly note the collection of traditional embroidered towels (rushnyks) and straw items.
Notably, straw weaving and fabric painting in the Dokshitsy District are listed as intangible cultural heritage.
“It is often said that our children lack interest in traditional crafts – our master class proves otherwise,” asserts Victor Dudkevich, a craftsman from Glubokoye. Specifically for the XXXII Day of Belarusian Writing, the craftsman has prepared a commemorative print dedicated to this year’s celebration of writing and invites all visitors to take one home as a keepsake.
Craftsmen from Glubokoye also brought examples of fillet embroidery on mesh, along with master classes on vytynanka and maliananka.
Birch-bark wrapping of pottery is demonstrated by craftsmen from Sharokovshchyna. The finished items attract particular interest from men, who gladly ask the masters to explain the production technique.
Victoria Dubovskaya demonstrates to young visitors how to create a straw stork in just thirty minutes with her guidance.
Visitors had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of the northern region at a creative meeting with writers from the Vitebsk Region.
More than ten authors from the region presented their work, including Tamara Krasnova-Gusachenko, Nikolai Namestnikov, Svetlana Yakubovskaya, Tatiana Kharitonova, Vasily Koltunov, Igor Prokopovich, and others. The writers read selections from their collections for festival guests and gladly provided autographs.
Young Nastya received a children’s book titled “Long Live the Sun!” as a gift from Orsha-based writer Sergei Trofimov. She attended the festival accompanied by her mother.
“We have already managed to receive some lovely keepsakes. My daughter beamed with joy when the author personally handed her the book. There is a truly special creative atmosphere at the Vitebsk Region exhibition area. This is exactly how I envisioned your region,” shared Nastya’s mother.
Tamara Krasnova-Gusachenko, Chairperson of the Regional Branch of the Union of Writers of Belarus, also prepared another pleasant surprise for the Minister of Information Marat Markov and Deputy Prime Minister Natalya Petkevich.
As a token of appreciation, the distinguished guests were presented with her milestone thirtieth poetry collection, “Pryshli Chasy” (“Times Have Come”), and the “Dzvina” almanac, which features works by literary talents from the Vitebsk Region.
A key theme of this year’s festival was the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
The regional newspaper "Vitsebsk Vesi" presented the exhibition "Pages of Victory".
Editor-in-Chief Natalya Kamlyova spoke about unique materials from the wartime issues of the newspaper, as well as post-war editions.