On January 8, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Belarusian Zmey Gorynych - the Tsmok - may become a symbol of the Lepel region. A mini-project to create a tourist brand for the district is applying for financial support from the EU program "Water, Nature, People in a Disappearing Landscape: Development of Sustainable Rural Tourism in Russia and Belarus," as reported to BELTA correspondent by Olga Makhonenko, the project manager in the Lepel district. In Belarusian mythology, the Tsmok, also known as the Smok or Chmok, was the lord of earthly and celestial waters, hence its habitat was swamps and lakes, and its symbol was the rainbow. One can read about Tsmoks in Vladimir Korotkevich's novel "Christ Landed in Grodno." It is the classic writer who wrote that the habitat of the last Belarusian Tsmok was one of the Lepel lakes. Thus, in the Lepel region, it was decided that this legendary creature could rightfully be considered the tourist symbol of the district. Moreover, unlike its Russian relative Zmey Gorynych, the Belarusian Tsmok had a much more accommodating character: it only troubled drunkards, hooligans, and loose women, while loving and harmonious family couples could count on its support. As Olga Makhonenko noted, mythological themes are currently very popular in tourism in Europe, and by taking a character from ancient legends as a basis, it is possible to develop tourist routes for its search and attract many lovers of exotic holidays to the region. By autumn, Lepel hopes to erect a sculptural composition of the Tsmok with the support of the European project. Nikolai Nikitin, Deputy Chairman of the Lepel District Executive Committee, said that the installation of a sculptural composition of the mythical serpent in Lepel is actively being discussed in the district. Some support the initiative and see nothing wrong with the Tsmok becoming the brand of the Lepel region, while others, particularly believers, fear the revival of pagan deities. "Meanwhile, mythology is part of national culture, which must be known and used beneficially," believes Nikolai Nikitin. The project "People in a Disappearing Landscape: Development of Agro-tourism in Belarus and Russia" is aimed at developing tourism and agro-ecotourism and involving local communities in this process. It covers the territories of the Lepel district (including the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve) in Belarus, as well as the Polessky district (and the Curonian Spit Reserve) in the Kaliningrad region of Russia.