Events of the Belarusian Written Language Day are starting today in Polotsk, the Polotsk District Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent.
Events of the Belarusian Written Language Day are starting today in Polotsk, the Polotsk District Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent.
The Belarusian Written Language Day in Polotsk unites three celebrations: the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing, the 1155th anniversary of the city, and the Written Language Day itself. The three-day celebration programme will open on September 1st with a solemn ceremony for Knowledge Day titled "We Proudly Bear Skorina's Name," attended by representatives of local authorities, educators, and students. Other events of the day will also be dedicated to youth and the Belarusian first printer. Thus, the best connoisseurs of the life path of the famous countryman will test their knowledge in the Skorina Olympiad. Lovers of historical reconstruction are invited in the afternoon for a journey through the school of the past, and in the evening – to the festival of medieval culture "Rubon". Fans of literary and theatrical creativity will be captivated by a kaleidoscope of various projects dedicated to Skorina: "From the Depths of Centuries...", "Descendants of the Great Skorina", "In the Beginning Was the Word...", "We Are Skorina's Descendants". These will be held throughout the day in the city's schools and cultural institutions.
The following day, September 2nd, will be packed with events, as the grand opening of the Day of Belarusian Written Language will take place under the ringing of bells from all the churches of the ancient city. Numerous participants, guests, and journalists will have to make an effort not to miss anything interesting. And everything falls into this category: a colourful theatrical procession dedicated to the 1155th anniversary of Polotsk and preceding the grand opening of the City Day; the international round table of Belarusian and foreign writers "Diplomacy of the Word: Francysk Skaryna in the Global Humanitarian Space," dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing; the scientific-practical conference "Polotsk Readings"; the final of the republican creative competition for young readers "Living Classics"; and numerous exhibition projects and concerts. Special mention should be made of the Book and Press Festival, the opening ceremony of the Commemorative Sign "Polotsk – the Cradle of Belarusian Statehood," and the presentation of the unique art project "Three Sophias," organised by the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States. In the evening, participants of the "Road to the Shrines" expedition will arrive in Polotsk with the Holy Fire from the Lord's Sepulchre. The expedition's events will organically blend into the overall fabric of the large-scale celebration.
The main events of September 3rd will be the commemorative cancellation of an envelope with an original stamp "Day of Belarusian Written Language," the presentation of the National Literary Prize, and the handover of the Day of Belarusian Written Language relay to the city of Ivanovo, Brest Region. Various thematic venues and trade stalls will also be open, and literary and musical projects and exhibitions will compete for the audience's attention. The grand finale of the Day of Belarusian Written Language in Polotsk will be the concert of art masters "Golden Collection of Belarusian Songs." Undoubtedly, in the entire diversity of events of the three-day marathon, everyone will be able to find something interesting for themselves. And the organisers of the holiday have endeavoured to make it special and memorable for everyone, as the international recognition of Francysk Skaryna's heritage has been confirmed by a UNESCO decision: the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing has been included in the calendar of memorable dates.