N 4, 2012
Circulation of kindness |
 What can be better than April’s warmth and sunshine? It brings us a joyful inner glow. However, this spring month also has other associations.I remember wandering Minsk’s streets, like many others, on a perfect sunny day on April 26th, 26 years ago, in 1986. As soon as news of the Chernobyl disaster hit, everyone departed the streets, since the invisible radiation cloud brought a real threat to our health. Years have passed but Chernobyl remains in our thoughts. We remember those who died on that ill-fated day. Not only did the nuclear accident affect our residents, it damaged the Earth; life altered drastically for many, bringing long-term health problems and the necessity of relocating from beloved homes. Nuclear safety has come a long way since then, allowing us to minimise the risk of a similar catastrophe. Time heals to some extent, as life continues. Of course, we can never forget the kindness shown over these decades by people from around the world, who felt our trouble as their own. |
New path for farming |
 Agricultural companies conduct this year’s sowing campaign to raise crop yields, changing structure of fieldsIn 2012, farms will, for the first time, plant serious volumes of sunflowers and soya, to be used as cost effective protein rich cattle feed (cutting the cost of producing meat and milk). By 2015, the Government target is to raise exports of Belarusian food produce from today’s $4bn to $7bn. |
Bonuses of attractiveness |
 Gomel Region has, for the first time, been named as the best Belarusian region in which to run a business — in a contest organised in the country annuallyAccording to the business community, it boasts comfortable conditions for the development of private initiative. Although affected by the Chernobyl disaster, Gomel Region has shown that it has coped with the tragedy and chosen apromising path of development. |
Spring of inspiration |
 The existence of diaspora (from Greek, meaning ‘dispersion’) has influenced international policy worldwide for many centuries. It initially denoted those Greek citizens who migrated into newly conquered territories and was a symbol of the great power held by those united by a love of their homeland. Today, the activity of Armenian, Chinese and Indian diasporas worldwide shows that their economic and political support for their homeland is no less significant than that of official foreign ministries |
Perfect venue |
 Belaya Rus Sanatorium, on Black Sea coast, is ideal destination for relaxation and recuperationBelarus already has its ‘own’ coast, courtesy of the Belorussiya Sanatorium, on the Baltic Sea, in Latvian Jurmala. We also boast three sanatoriums along the Black Sea coast: one in Crimea and two in Russian Sochi and Tuapse. Belaya Rus Spa, near Tuapse, was my destination for the holiday season. |
Attraction of tender hearts |
 In searching for truth and life’s meaning, we sometimes come to the surprisingly simple conclusion that good deeds can make us happier; in giving our time and money to those in need, we enrich ourselvesAround 200 charities operate in Belarus, with members now considering creating an association to co-ordinate efforts. Let’s take a closer look at the kindness of spirit seen in our country. |
Inspired by originals |
 Manufacture of Slutsk sashes revamped in BelarusThe Head of the Museum of Ancient Belarusian Culture at the National Academy of Sciences, Boris Lazuko, has been long eager to copy Slutsk sashes, so that they might be sold to tourists. Of course, it would be an overwhelming task for one person. 300 years ago, Armenian father and son Madzharsky began to weave sashes so beautiful that they were worn by the wealthiest of nobles from across half of Europe. |
Great philosopher Victor Alshevsky |
 The Contemporary Art Centre, newly headed by Professor Alshevsky, is generating exciting ideas, which are finding application in interesting projects and creative solutionsUndoubtedly, Victor Alshevsky views the world philosophically; even in ordinary conversation, he tends to ‘shift’ to philosophical musings, explaining the essence of things and the logic of their origin. He may be an artist by profession but he is a philosopher in life; the two are complementary, aiding and supporting each other and helping him generate original ideas for his new endeavour. We meet in his studio, among his canvases, which hang on the walls. Some are large scale, radiating symbolism, while others are more cosy and intimate. In fact, he is more of a monumental artist, keen on large shapes and symbolism — such as his knight in armour and his lady with a white lily. |
So much to preserve |
 Almost 5,500 sites in Belarus are registered as historical and cultural treasures. However, many are in need of restoration and researchers continue to discover new sites — many previously little known. These findings are of interest to the state and business community alikeThe Belarusian Government has given 24 pictures by artists of the Parisian school (acquired by Belgazprombank) the status of historical and cultural treasures. In September, the bank will be joining the National Art Museum in displaying the works by such icons as Belarus-born Marc Chagall and Chaïm Soutine. A plaque in the Parisian ‘Beehive’ (where these painters once worked) expresses gratitude from French society to those masters who made a significant contribution to world art. Of the four names on the plaque, three are Belarusian: Chagall, Soutine and Ossip Zadkine. |
Storms, ash breezes and rainbows in Ivan Matskevich’s life |
 Ivan Matskevich, Honoured Artiste of Belarus and a leading state master of the Maxim Gorky National Academic Drama Theatre, recently celebrated his 65th birthday, with many reasons to enjoy lifeAs the years pass and we gain in wisdom, we tend to seek out a quiet life. However, we realise that Fate sends us trials and challenges to help us gain self-knowledge and to better appreciate the wonderful elements of our lives. |
Style, artistry, charm… |
 National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre hosts concert to showcase talent of those holding scholarships from Special Presidential Fund for the Support of Talented Young PeopleA truly festive atmosphere ruled at the Bolshoi Theatre, its hall packed with lovers of classical music, dance and opera. Relatives and friends of Special Presidential Fund scholarship holders were in attendance, as was the Culture Minister, Pavel Latushko, and his senior colleagues. |