Recently, an Armenian delegation from the sister city of Tashir visited the Lepel region. The guests not only familiarised themselves with the sights of our district but also signed an agreement on the further development of friendly ties.
Recently, an Armenian delegation from the sister city of Tashir visited the Lepel region. The guests not only familiarised themselves with the sights of our district but also signed an agreement on the further development of friendly ties.
On the border of the district, the representatives of Armenia encountered our culture. Lepel artists welcomed them with a каравай (traditional bread) and folk songs.
The prospects for cooperation between the cities were discussed on the very first day of their arrival at a round table in the meeting room of the district executive committee. Mayor of Tashir Edgar Arshakyan, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Lori Region Governor in the Republic of Belarus Sahak Antanesyan, Head of the Communal Service Norayr Baghdasaryan, Chief Specialist in Agriculture Armen Shahbazyan – the Armenian side was concerned not only with economic but also with cultural issues. After introducing his team, Chairman of the Lepel District Executive Committee Boris Efremov highlighted the strengths of our economy. Among them are the forestry institution, the third most powerful in the region, and OJSC "Lepel Dairy and Canning Plant," which exports its products to 21 regions.
- Any agreement concluded between two countries must begin with the spiritual," noted Sahak Antanesyan, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Lori Region Governor in the Republic of Belarus and President of UNIECOFOR LLC. – And every agreement makes sense if it is followed by mutually beneficial economic relations. The greatest achievement of any agreement is the creation of a joint venture. From our side, we are interested in purchasing agricultural machinery, building joint ventures for flax processing in Armenia, and garment production. We can discuss the supply of stones to you, for example, ferzite, granite, as well as fresh fruits and dried fruits…
The twinning agreement between the city of Tashir and Lepel District was signed back in October 2012, which is why during their current visit, Armenian friends presented letters of appreciation to the people of Lepel. The first of these was received by Pyotr Shikshnyan, a deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. While still the chairman of the district executive committee, he took the first steps towards bringing the two sides closer... Another person who stood at the origins of this intercultural dialogue also visited Lepel region: Saak Antanesyan, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Governor of Lori Province in the Republic of Belarus, presented the exhibition "Ancient Armenia – Eternal Armenia" last year. At the round table, Saak Serezhayevich emphasized that they are ready to support gifted youth from Lepel. Within the framework of the "Pan-Armenian National Idea" closed club, they help children from all countries. "I help you, and in the future, you help two more people" – this is the motto of the organization. For example, for winning the recitation, essay, and drawing competition "Armenia Through My Eyes," which has already taken place in three cities of Vitebsk region, Saak Serezhayevich presented a watch to a boy who recited poems by a Lori author in Belarusian. He also promised to award one hundred dollars to the winner of the competition "Armenia Through the Eyes of Lepel Children," which is planned to be held in May next year.
After presenting commemorative souvenirs to the Armenian guests, a film about Lepel region was shown. Over the next two days, they were able to see the enterprises and social facilities of our district that were shown on screen during the round table. The first stop on the delegation's route was the robotic farm of SPF "Zaozerie" of OJSC "Lepel Dairy and Canning Plant." The guests also visited the settlement built under the "Homes Instead of Chernobyl" program, the dairy and canning plant, the bakery, and the electromechanical plant. The Armenian friends also familiarized themselves with the social sphere: they visited the gymnasium named after I. M. Yerashov, the DRDC "Zhemchuzhina," the military sanatorium, and the "Sviatlica" 24-hour care unit for the elderly at the Territorial Center for Social Services. The guests also appreciated the natural beauty of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve. On the last day, the delegation went on an excursion to Vitebsk. By the way, the desire to visit this city arose not by chance: at the current "Slavianski Bazaar," Armenia will be represented by a native of the Tashir region...
The culmination of the four-day visit of the Armenian delegation was the signing of a new agreement in the humanitarian and cultural sphere. The Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Boris Efremov, the Mayor of Tashir, Edgar Arshakyan, and the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Governor of the Lori Region in the Republic of Belarus, signed it in a symbolic place – the House of Crafts. Before concluding the agreement, the guests familiarized themselves with the exhibition. Their particular attention was drawn to the collections of folk costumes and ethnographic items. The Armenians learned the secrets of weaving Belarusian belts, straw weaving, and embroidery from master classes conducted by Lepel craftswomen. In memory of their visit to the House of Crafts, each of the guests was presented with small sheaves as a symbol of kindness, wealth, and future cooperation. In turn, for her contribution to the development of Armenian-Belarusian cooperation, the Director of the House of Crafts, Elena Borodeiko, received an honorary diploma and a letter of gratitude signed by the Governor of the Lori Region. Another memorable event took place on this day: the Book of Honored Guests of the House of Crafts was opened. The first entry in it, in Armenian, is a wish from the Mayor of Tashir, Edgar Arshakyan.
An exhibition of the creativity of Lepel masters and a concert by the folk ensemble of humorous songs "Grymsoli" in Tashir, exhibitions "Artists of Lori" and "Artists of Tavush" in Lepel, as well as a competition of readers, essays, and drawings among students of educational institutions "Armenia through the eyes of the children of Lepel region" – the agreement includes many interesting events planned to be held throughout the year.
Ekaterina OSOVSKAYA
