In the conference hall of the Department of Education, Sports and Tourism, the winners of the district competition "Myths of Lepel Region" gathered. The competition was organised with the assistance of the Belarusian public association "Rest in the Village".
The winners of the district competition "Myths of Lepel Region", organised with the assistance of the Belarusian public association "Rest in the Village", gathered in the conference hall of the Department of Education, Sports and Tourism. Fifteen schools participated, presenting seventy-seven drawings and thirty-three essays on the given theme.
Teachers and their talented students took their seats at a "round" and simultaneously "sweet" table. The event was held within the framework of the initiative "Ecotourism in Berezinsky: Innovative Approaches, Partnership Models, 'Green' Self-Awareness", which is part of the large national project "Promoting the Transition of the Republic of Belarus to a 'Green' Economy". This initiative focuses on promoting the ideas of ecotourism, expanding the use of renewable energy sources, and developing public-private partnerships.
Elena Vetrova, the initiative coordinator from the "Rest in the Village" organisation, shared some very interesting plans. In the foreseeable future, a stylised petrol station, decorated with fairy-tale "creatures", is to appear in Lepel. In addition to fuel, visitors will be able to purchase items from Lepel artisans and masters from "Skarbonka". Given the high traffic at petrol stations, it is a worthwhile idea. Travellers will leave additional money in our district and, in return, take a memorable handicraft that will remind them of our region somewhere in Vitebsk, or perhaps Smolensk or Vilnius. Two months prior, Ilya Davydov, a business trainer from Minsk who had completed an internship in Chicago, explained to our craftspeople how to make their products more marketable. Out of one hundred and fifty initiatives for the "Green Economy" transition project, sixteen were selected on a competitive basis, and ours is one of them. Within the framework of "Ecotourism in Berezinsky...", a "Museum of Mythical Creatures" with a solar power station, an eco-trail "In the Land of Myths" with designer art objects, and an open-air exhibition "Mythical Hamlet" are being created. The implementation of these plans will require one hundred and twenty-six thousand dollars. The work is planned to be completed by June 17th.
The new museum will be located in the forestry building, allocated by the reserve for these purposes. Equipped with the latest advanced technology, it will provide visitors with a wealth of impressions. The main secret, which
which we will not fully disclose yet to maintain intrigue, will be in binaural headphones. The listener will be immersed in an impressive world of high-quality sound.
Another innovation is a "smart" storage locker with sockets powered by a solar collector. Thus, phone owners will be able to put their mobile devices on charge during the excursion. In the case of schoolchildren, this is a double benefit, as the children will also not be distracted. The opening of the "Center for Mythological Tourism" is scheduled for May-June.
Everyone can appreciate the artistic works of the "Myths of Lepel Region" competition at the House of Environmental Education in Domzheritsy. And the essays will be included in a thematic brochure from the NGO "Rest in the Village". By the way, the organization has already released a unique printed product – a culinary map of Belarus. A kind of navigator for national cuisine. It is planned to make it in electronic form for mass accessibility and the ability to quickly enter new information. Then, with its help, tourists and connoisseurs of their native culinary heritage will find specific catering establishments where they can try this or that dish. By the way, "Klyotski z 'dushami'", traditional for the Lepel district, are included in the state list of historical and cultural heritage of Belarus.
The long-awaited moment of awarding the winners has arrived. Contestants are from six to fifteen years old. The children's works were evaluated by a competent jury on a ten-point system. There are many nominations, and attention was paid to all of them. The winners received certificates and travel bags decorated with national ornaments. Third place with the drawing "Tsmok" was taken by second-grader Sofia Burakova from the gymnasium. Her green dragon with colorful patterns looked childishly cute and harmless. Vladislav Miranovich from Secondary School No. 3 received second place for "Svarog" and praise from the accompanying teachers for his active participation in various art competitions. The winner was Adelina Budyanu, a student of the Center for Children and Youth. Her "Lesovik" was created in the "Magician" creative workshop, headed by Marina Samonova. Six works under the guidance of the center's teacher were submitted to the jury.
The character turned out to be special, not resembling pictures on the internet or a tracing from a book. Instead of a hat, there is a bird's nest with inhabitants on his head, in his hands – a reed from a living tree with a budding branch, and on his nose – a small fly agaric.
As for the essays. Fourth-grader Vitaly Khoroneko from Starolepel Basic School was awarded third place to applause. His "Prosty khlopchykThe "Lepelka" produced a strong impression. Kirill Lenkovsky, a ninth-grader from Polsvizh School, wrote "U krai mifau" and took second place. The work "Pad malyavanym kryzham" by Varvara Khramtsova was named the best. The eighth-grader studies at the school in the agro-town of Bobrovo and is the only girl in her class. She admits that the boys showed no interest in the competition. She, however, came home and asked her father, Vyacheslav, for advice.
From childhood, Varya was interested in local legends. But she liked one of them especially... The distant year of 1812 and the defeated Napoleonic army. Local residents, possessing humanity and compassion even towards the enemy, tried to bury the French soldiers as required by Christian custom. A red cross was placed on the graves. The essay took up three pages of a school notebook. Who the ideological inspirer was is clear, but the main editor and proofreader was Nadezhda Khovanskaya, Varya's Belarusian language teacher.
Vladimir Puchinsky, deputy editor-in-chief of "Krayaznaўchaya gazeta," who came to the event from Minsk, additionally noted Anastasia Zakis from Zaslonovskaya School and presented her with the book "Slavutyyya imeni Batskaushchyny." He gave the same gift to a representative of Starolepel School for collective use.
Evgenia LYAKH. In the photo Adelina Budyanu and her supervisor Marina Samonova.